Moscow State Insurance Covers Genetic Tests for Embryo Anomalies

Natalia Dolgushina, the chief freelance specialist at the Russian Ministry of Health for women«s reproductive health, told journalists that preimplantation genetic testing for a number of diseases has become available to patients under the compulsory health insurance (OMS).

However, Moscow is traditionally ahead of the curve, as city residents with permanent registration could get such tests for free a year ago. Now, any patient with an OMS policy, regardless of registration, can use the services of the capital«s doctors. MSK1.RU»s correspondent detailed how to obtain the service and what results patients can expect.

How can Muscovites with serious diagnoses plan pregnancy?

Under OMS, three types of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT — Ed.) have become more accessible to capital residents. Simply put, this is the testing of embryos created through IVF before they are transferred to the uterus. These tests can detect chromosomal abnormalities and gene mutations to select the healthiest embryos for implantation.

They were described in more detail to MSK1.RU by leading specialist of the Department of Reproductive Health Protection at the State Budgetary Institution «Center for Monitoring and Development of Medical Care of the City of Moscow DZM», obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist at the ART department of the Yuudin City Clinical Hospital, Vafa Ibragimova.

PGT‑A — testing for aneuploidies, i.e., changes in the number of chromosomes. Normally, the human karyotype includes 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). A change in their number leads to Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and others.

PGT‑M — testing for monogenic diseases. It is performed when there is a known mutation in a specific gene that causes a hereditary disease. The analysis significantly reduces the risk of developing pathologies, such as cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, SMA, and a number of other diseases.

The third option, PGT‑SR, is testing when one of the parents has a balanced structural rearrangement of chromosomes. The presence of such rearrangements can lead to pregnancy loss and severe pathology in the fetus.

«Since 2026, PGT-M and PGT-SR have been included in the program of state guarantees for free medical care, i.e., the OMS system. I would like to note that since January 1, 2025, these tests, as well as PGT-A, have already been available to residents of Moscow,» the expert noted.

Such tests in private clinics cost from 25,000 rubles (approximately $270 at current rates). The most expensive is considered to be PGT-M — the cost of the analysis varies from 45,000 rubles (approximately $490). Now that the tests have become available under OMS, doctors expect an influx of patients wishing to use this service.

«PGT-M and PGT-SR are indicated for a relatively small group of patients, but the inclusion of these tests in the OMS program will undoubtedly increase the accessibility of the method. An increase in the number of requests is expected primarily due to the removal of financial restrictions. For patients from other regions, these tests are also available under OMS at their place of residence,» explained Vafa Ibragimova.

Note that infertility treatment using IVF in Moscow is also carried out with a Moscow OMS policy.

How is the testing conducted?

PGT is part of the IVF program. That is, when a woman enters the protocol and embryos are obtained, they are then cultured (embryos are obtained from her eggs — Ed.). On the fifth-sixth day, a biopsy is performed, and then the tests.

«The obtained biopsy sample is sent for research, i.e., for PGT. After some time, we receive the results of this research. The laboratory informs us whether deviations in the genetic set of these embryos have been detected or if we have a healthy embryo. If we have a healthy embryo, we transfer it and hope that pregnancy will occur,» explains doctor Vafa Ibragimova.

The process, as the doctor explained, does not drag on for years. According to the expert, with current technologies, the procedure takes place in a fairly short time.

Moreover, the number of IVF attempts allowed under OMS is not limited. Restrictions may be related to medical contraindications.

What do doctors do if there is no hope of having a child using one«s own biological material?

As Vafa Ibragimova told MSK1.RU, initially, when a couple is referred for such an examination, people already understand their risks. Moreover, Muscovites have quite a few meetings with doctors, during which the pros and cons of such testing, as well as the couple«s individual possibilities, are discussed in detail.

«In the presence of genetic risks, patients undergo several consultations, during which the goals of the examination and possible results are discussed in detail. Therefore, by the time they receive the conclusion, couples are usually already informed about potential scenarios,» the doctor noted.

If the PGT results are unfavorable, the couple is offered more attempts. If that option is not suitable, there is one more option.

How to get tested?

Medical genetic counseling is usually indicated for couples with hereditary diseases in the family or in cases where the couple has already had a child with a genetic pathology. Testing is also prescribed for patients with pregnancy loss, and if one of the partners has chromosomal rearrangements, special examination is required for both.

«Within the framework of reproductive medicine, the examination of a married couple is carried out comprehensively — both the woman and the man. Studies may include karyotyping, analysis for deletions or duplications of chromosomes, as well as a search for mutations in specific genes, depending on the clinical situation,» explained Vafa Ibragimova.

To get counseling, it is necessary to contact a doctor — an obstetrician-gynecologist at your place of attachment — at your women«s consultation or women»s health center. During the appointment, the doctor determines the presence of indications and, if necessary, issues a referral for a consultation with a geneticist. In Moscow, IVF with PGT is carried out in specialized departments of assisted reproductive technologies, including on the basis of city clinical hospitals.

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