At a glance

A practical guide to comparing refund and guarantee packages for PGT IVF in Thailand, including cost components, eligibility questions and fine print to review before you commit.

Refund and guarantee programs for PGT IVF in Thailand are risk-sharing arrangements: you pay more upfront, and the clinic agrees to provide additional treatment cycles or a partial refund if you do not reach a defined milestone. The exact terms vary widely. Most programs define success narrowly, exclude medication and PGT laboratory fees, and list medical or age-related eligibility criteria. Before comparing quotes, ask each clinic for the full contract, a written list of what is included and excluded, and a clear definition of the milestone that triggers a refund or extra cycle.

At a glance

  • Refund and guarantee packages shift some financial risk from you to the clinic, but they rarely cover every cost.
  • Eligibility is usually based on age, ovarian reserve, prior IVF history, body mass index and specific medical criteria.
  • Medications, PGT-A or PGT-M laboratory fees, storage, travel and accommodation are often excluded.
  • The definition of “success” may be a positive pregnancy test, a clinical pregnancy, a live birth or a certain number of retrieved eggs.
  • Ask for the refund schedule, the number of cycles included, and what happens if you decide to stop treatment.

What “refund” and “guarantee” usually mean in practice

In Thailand, as elsewhere, these terms are marketing labels rather than standardized medical products. A refund program typically means you pay a lump sum for a defined package of cycles. If you do not achieve the stated outcome after those cycles, the clinic returns part of your payment according to a schedule. A guarantee package may instead promise additional cycles at no extra professional fee until a milestone is reached, or it may combine both elements.

The key variables are:

  • Milestone: What exactly must happen for the program to be considered successful? A positive beta hCG test is a much lower bar than a live birth.
  • Number of cycles: How many fresh or frozen embryo transfers are included before the refund or guarantee applies?
  • Refund percentage: Is the refund a fixed proportion, a sliding scale, or limited to professional fees only?
  • Exclusions: Which costs sit outside the package and must be paid separately each cycle?
  • Exit terms: What happens if you choose to stop, switch clinics, or if the clinic recommends stopping for medical reasons?

Cost components to separate before you compare quotes

A single “package price” can hide significant variation. Ask each clinic to break the quote into the categories below so you can compare like with like. Do not assume that a higher package price means more coverage; it may simply reflect a different refund schedule or a different definition of success.

Cost category Typical treatment in refund/guarantee quotes Questions to ask
Initial consultation and diagnostics Sometimes included, sometimes charged separately Are baseline ultrasound, blood tests and semen analysis part of the package?
Ovarian stimulation medications Often excluded or capped Is there a medication budget? What happens if my dose needs to increase?
Monitoring during stimulation Usually included in the professional fee How many monitoring visits are covered per cycle?
Egg retrieval and embryology Usually included Are ICSI, assisted hatching or embryo freezing included?
PGT-A or PGT-M laboratory fees Frequently excluded or charged per embryo Is the biopsy fee separate from the genetic testing fee? Is there a per-embryo charge?
Embryo transfer Usually included for a set number of transfers How many transfers are included before the refund clause applies?
Embryo storage Often charged annually Is the first year of storage included? What is the renewal cost?
Medications for transfer cycles Often excluded Are frozen transfer medications covered?
Travel, accommodation and visas Almost always excluded Does the clinic offer any coordination support, and is it free?

Because no approved price data is available for this article, we do not list figures. Instead, use the table as a checklist and ask each clinic to fill in the amounts in writing.

Eligibility criteria: what clinics typically screen for

Refund and guarantee programs are designed to manage the clinic’s risk, so they usually have stricter entry criteria than standard IVF. Common screening categories include:

  • Age: Many programs set an upper age limit for the woman, and sometimes a lower limit.
  • Ovarian reserve: AMH and antral follicle count are often used to estimate response.
  • Uterine factors: A normal uterine cavity may be required, sometimes confirmed by hysteroscopy or saline sonogram.
  • Sperm parameters: Severe male factor may affect eligibility or require surgical sperm retrieval.
  • BMI: Some clinics set a body mass index range for safety and success reasons.
  • Prior IVF history: A history of repeated implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss may exclude you.
  • Genetic testing results: PGT-M for a known condition may be handled differently from PGT-A for aneuploidy screening.
  • Lifestyle and medical history: Smoking, certain chronic conditions or medications may affect eligibility.

Eligibility is determined by the treating clinic, not by this article. If a clinic says you are eligible, ask for the criteria in writing and confirm what happens if your response to stimulation is lower than expected.

Fine print that changes the value of a package

The most important details are often in the contract, not the brochure. Read the following clauses carefully and ask for clarification before signing:

  1. Definition of success. Is it a positive pregnancy test, a clinical pregnancy with a heartbeat, or a live birth? A live birth definition is the most protective for patients but may come with stricter eligibility.
  2. Cycle counting. Does a cancelled cycle count as one of your included cycles? What if no embryos are available for transfer?
  3. Refund schedule. Is the refund paid in full, in installments, or as a credit toward future treatment? How long does it take?
  4. Exclusions and caps. Are there annual or per-cycle caps on medications, PGT fees or storage?
  5. Transfer of care. What happens if you move to another clinic or country? Does the guarantee transfer?
  6. Medical discontinuation. If the clinic advises stopping for medical reasons, do you receive a refund or a partial refund?
  7. Consent and data. How is your genetic and medical data stored, and who can access it?
  8. Dispute resolution. Which jurisdiction and language govern the contract?

How to compare refund and guarantee packages side by side

Use a consistent framework so you are not comparing a comprehensive package with a narrow one. For each clinic, record:

  • The milestone that triggers a refund or extra cycle.
  • The number of egg retrievals and embryo transfers included.
  • Whether PGT laboratory fees are included, and if so, for how many embryos.
  • Whether medications are included, capped or excluded.
  • The refund percentage and payment timeline.
  • Eligibility criteria you must meet, and what happens if you do not meet them after signing.
  • Any non-refundable administrative or consultation fees.
  • What support is provided for travel, accommodation and language interpretation.

Ask for a sample contract or terms and conditions before you pay a deposit. If a clinic is unwilling to provide written terms, that is a signal to proceed cautiously.

Questions to ask a clinic before you commit

  • Can you send me the full refund or guarantee contract, including all annexes, before I pay anything?
  • What exactly counts as success, and how is it documented?
  • How many cycles and transfers are included, and do cancelled cycles count?
  • Which costs are excluded from the package, and can you give me a written estimate for those?
  • What are the eligibility criteria, and how do you confirm them?
  • If I do not respond well to stimulation, what are my options and costs?
  • What is the refund schedule, and how long does payment take?
  • What happens if I decide to stop treatment or switch clinics?
  • Who is my main contact for coordination, and what is included in that service?
  • How do you handle PGT results, and are they explained by a genetic counselor?

Next-step checklist

  1. Gather your medical records, including AMH, antral follicle count, prior IVF cycles and any genetic test results.
  2. Ask each clinic for a written quote broken down by the cost categories above.
  3. Request the full refund or guarantee contract and read the fine print with a trusted advisor or legal professional if needed.
  4. Confirm eligibility criteria in writing and ask what happens if you do not meet them.
  5. Compare packages using the same framework, not just the headline price.
  6. Plan for costs that are almost always excluded, such as travel, accommodation and medications.
  7. Keep a copy of all correspondence and signed documents.

For more context on PGT in Thailand, see our guide to PGT in Thailand. For a broader look at cost categories, visit IVF cost in Thailand. You can also explore patient resources or contact us with questions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a refund program and a guarantee package for PGT IVF in Thailand?

A refund program typically returns part of your payment if you do not reach a defined milestone after a set number of cycles. A guarantee package may instead provide additional cycles at no extra professional fee until the milestone is reached. Some programs combine both. The exact terms are set by each clinic, so ask for the written contract.

Are medications and PGT laboratory fees included in refund packages?

Often they are not. Many refund and guarantee packages cover professional fees, monitoring, retrieval and a set number of transfers, while medications, PGT-A or PGT-M laboratory fees, storage and travel are excluded or capped. Ask each clinic for a written list of inclusions and exclusions.

What eligibility criteria do Thai clinics use for refund or guarantee programs?

Clinics commonly screen for age, ovarian reserve (AMH and antral follicle count), uterine factors, sperm parameters, BMI, prior IVF history and certain medical conditions. Criteria vary by clinic and are determined by the treating physician. Ask for the criteria in writing before you commit.

What should I check in the fine print of a refund or guarantee contract?

Check the definition of success (positive test, clinical pregnancy or live birth), how cycles are counted, whether cancelled cycles count, the refund schedule and payment timeline, exclusions and caps, what happens if you switch clinics or stop treatment, and the dispute resolution terms.

Can I compare refund packages from different clinics using the same criteria?

Yes. Use a consistent framework: milestone definition, number of retrievals and transfers, PGT fee coverage, medication coverage, refund percentage, eligibility criteria, non-refundable fees and support services. Ask for a sample contract before paying a deposit.

Continue your research

Medical information notice: This article is educational and does not replace individual assessment, diagnosis, genetic counselling or treatment advice from a licensed clinician. Provider services, availability, fees and policies should be verified directly before booking.

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