What Is the IVF Refund Guarantee and Who Qualifies?
For couples worried about spending thousands on IVF with no guaranteed result, refund guarantee programmes offer an appealing safety net. But how do these schemes work, how much do they cost, and who actually qualifies? In this blog, we explore the ins and outs of IVF refund guarantees in the UK.
What is an IVF refund guarantee? Refund programmes allow patients to pay a higher upfront fee for multiple IVF cycles, with the promise of a partial refund if treatment is unsuccessful. Typically, you receive back up to 50%–100% of the fee if no live birth occurs after completing all the included cycles.
These programmes are offered by third-party companies like Access Fertility or Gaia, and sometimes directly by private clinics. The schemes are designed to reduce financial risk for eligible patients.
How much do they cost? A typical refund programme for three IVF cycles might cost £12,000 to £18,000 — more than paying for each cycle individually. But if successful early, the remaining cycles are not used, and no refund is given. If unsuccessful, you receive a percentage of the total fee back.
Example structure:
- Pay £15,000 for three cycles with a 70% refund if no live birth
- If successful on the first cycle, no refund
- If unsuccessful after all three, you get £10,500 back
What’s included? Refund plans often include:
- Up to three IVF or ICSI cycles
- Frozen embryo transfers (FETs)
- Monitoring, consultations, and lab procedures
- Sometimes medication, though this varies
Who qualifies? Eligibility is usually based on age, medical history, and fertility diagnosis. Common criteria include:
- Female age typically under 40 (some plans cap at 37)
- Good ovarian reserve (AMH levels and antral follicle count)
- BMI within a certain range
- No history of repeated IVF failure
Pros:
- Reduces financial risk
- May offer peace of mind during treatment
- Encourages clinics to maximise success
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- No refund if you succeed early
- Not available to all patients
Real-life example: Rachel and Dan chose a 3-cycle refund programme at £14,500. After two unsuccessful cycles, they received a 70% refund of £10,150, allowing them to explore alternative options without additional financial strain.
IVF refund guarantees aren’t for everyone — but for eligible couples, they can provide valuable reassurance. Always read the small print, understand the exclusions, and compare with standard multi-cycle packages before committing.
