This story is part of a series on The Brave New World of Middle-Age Medical Tourism, from stem cell treatments to complex dentistry. Read the rest of the stories here.
“MY HUSBAND AND I were trying to conceive and underwent testing at a clinic in Orange County, California, and were diagnosed with ‘unexplained infertility.’ I tried supplements, herbs, diet changes, massage, acupuncture, and also intrauterine insemination. None of it worked, so we explored in vitro fertilization [IVF]. The problem: Our health insurance plan did not cover IVF, and the estimate we got was $25,000. It’s also hard to budget for IVF, because the meds, lab tests, egg retrievals, and embryo transfers are priced à la carte. Since IVF is not always successful, you don’t know how many services you will need.
“We had moved to Miami, and my husband is from Colombia, and his mother told us about Juan Luis Giraldo, MD, and the Human Fertility Institute INSER in Medellín. They offer a package where you can undergo several rounds, if needed, over 18 months at one set price of $5,250. Meds aren’t included, but they are cheaper in Colombia. This made budgeting easier.
“Our egg retrieval yielded four embryos, but our first two embryo transfers were not successful. We then paused IVF for just over a year while planning our wedding. Two months later, we started IVF again and had a successful embryo transfer. I gave birth to our son in October 2023. If you go this route, a flexible schedule helps. We took three multiday trips to Colombia, and I had to book some trips with just a few days’ notice depending on my cycle and response to medications. We recently began IVF again for a second child.”
ESTIMATED SAVINGS: 30-60%
Second Opinion
Fertility treatments require multiple visits, and the process can be stressful, so proximity and a relaxing location are important when choosing a clinic, says Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders. He recommends the Fertility Center of Costa Rica, housed in Hospital CIMA in San José, and the Advanced Fertility Center in Cancún.
Know Before You Go
Consider the $8,000 Rule
A good barometer of whether your medical trip is financially worthwhile is the $8,000 rule, says Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders. If your total quote for U.S. treatment (including consultations, procedure, and hospital stay) is $8,000 or more, you will probably save money traveling abroad for your care. If it’s less, you’re likely better off having your treatment at home.
Check Credentials
Research clinics on websites such as medicaltourism.com, dentaldepartures.com, patientsbeyondborders.com, and the Medical Tourism section of the CDC’s Yellow Book. Three accreditations that indicate high quality are the Joint Commission International, Temos International, and Global Healthcare. Also, look up doctors and clinical research at clinicaltrials.gov, says Jonathan Edelheit, cofounder of Global Healthcare Resources.
Ask for Patient References
It’s best to speak with patients in your age range and at least one-year post-treatment, says Edelheit. If a clinic rejects a request for references, avoid it. Discuss any complications, post-treatment care, lasting effects, and whether they did anything else that might have impacted their results.
Get Everything in Writing
Did you have a great call in which you were promised five-star accommodations, smoothies on demand, and post-op care? Ask for a list of all services and costs in writing. Also note that you might not be able to sue the clinic or doctor for malpractice. (Depending on the treatment, a corrective procedure may be available.)
Be Smart About Money
Don’t wire money. Pay with a credit card, which will better ensure you have recourse, such as seeking a refund, says Edelheit.
Arrange Your Follow-Up Care in Advance
Before you go, alert your primary care physician (in case something goes wrong) and also be sure to have a detailed follow-up plan with the appropriate paperwork, records, and/or imaging.
This story appears in the March-April 2025 issue of Men's Health.
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