Nizhny Novgorod residents were informed about which tests can be taken for free before IVF.

      On July 8, 2026, at 16:18 Society In Russia, women can take advantage of the procedure of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos for free under the compulsory medical insurance (CMI) program. PGT significantly increases the chances of giving birth to a healthy child.

      What is available under the CMI policy

      Under the basic CMI program, both partners can undergo free examinations and tests. For men, this includes a spermogram, while for women it includes a general and biochemical blood test, hormonal profile, general urine analysis, cytological examination of the cervix, fluorography, mammography, ECG, and ultrasound of the pelvic organs. If there are genetic diseases in relatives, the doctor may prescribe karyotyping - a study of the chromosomal apparatus.

      IVF is particularly relevant for women of late reproductive age. Obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive specialist at the MD GROUP clinical hospital, Maria Milyutina, told 360.ru that with age, the likelihood of chromosomal pathologies in embryos increases. Up to 35 years, this risk is 30-35%, and after 40 years, it reaches 50%. This includes Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and other genetic diseases.

      Who is at risk

      The specialist noted that at the age of 44-45, 80-90% of embryos have chromosomal pathologies. Although these percentages do not equal the risk of giving birth to a sick child, they indicate a decrease in the frequency of pregnancy occurrence and an increase in the likelihood of miscarriage.

      For women over 40, the effectiveness of IVF decreases. However, genetic diagnostics allow for the selection of healthy embryos, which significantly increases the chances of successful pregnancy. Without tests, the likelihood of miscarriage at 44 years is almost 50%, while with their help, it decreases to 5%.

      There are also other methods that increase the chances of giving birth to a healthy child. For example, PGT-M allows for the identification of monogenic diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy or cystic fibrosis. This helps to identify embryos that are not carriers of pathological genes.

      Milyutina believes that the availability of tests under CMI will not significantly affect the demographic situation as a whole, but will greatly improve the quality of life for specific individuals. The cost of diagnosing one embryo without a policy ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles.

      It was previously reported that in 2026, more than 3,000 quotas have been allocated for the IVF procedure in the region. As a result, the queue for the in vitro fertilization procedure has been completely eliminated. In addition, the first state IVF/ICSI center is planned to be created based on the "Family Quarter." The project cost is estimated at 6 billion rubles, and the construction of the quarter is expected to be completed by 2028. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+