Ontario is now funding IVF
I wrote an article about how the Ontario government was considering partial coverage for IVF patients a few years ago (see below) – well, the wait is over! Actually, the wait was over a few months ago but things are still being ironed out with this complicated process.
I have had some clients who were lucky enough to get into the first round of funded IVF and I have had some unlucky clients who will have to wait. During this process I have learned a few things which are worth being prepared for if you are going forward with IVF treatment in Ontario and are looking to get coverage.
Get In Early
If you are even considering attempting IVF, I suggest getting your name on the list as each clinic has only so many IVF transfers they are allowed to do each year. Some clinics have more, some less…depends on the size of the clinic. Start the ball rolling and talk to your fertility doctor about how long the wait might be if you are considering IVF.
Luck of the Draw
Some clinics choose who gets the funding via a lottery system. Others base their choices on the type of client they are dealing with (age, diagnosis etc.). Other clinics try to be fair by offering funding to those who have been waiting the longest while others do a mixture of all of the above. I have seen clients who have been with a clinic for many months (even over a year) and they are passed on the funding. This is more than frustrating for the couple involved. Be prepared and find out how your clinic offers the funding so you know what you are getting into.
Rules of the Funding
Basic rules of the IVF funding are as follows:
- Funding only covers procedures (i.e. IVF, IUI etc.), but not medications. So really, the funding covers about half of what it used to cost people. However, you may have medications covered through your work insurance plan – check your work benefits!
- Age limit is 43 – no one over 43 gets funded but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get IVF – you will just have to pay the full amount.
- You can only transfer 1 embryo. In many cases, IVF clinics will transfer up to 3 embryos depending on the situation and the quality of the embryos. With the funding, only 1 embryo can be transferred. This reduces the incidence of multiples and ends up being less of a burden on the healthcare system (i.e. risky labour/birth for both mom and babies can sometimes occur). So no instant families with the funded IVF. I personally think this is a good thing overall.
- You must be an Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card.
For more information and specific information about funding for IVF in Ontario, please visit this
website
To see Drew’s original article, continue reading.
Recently, the province of Quebec passed legislation to allow coverage for IVF treatments for infertile couples. Now, Ontario is considering IVF funding.
IVF treatments can cost a couple up to $15,000 per round and for many couples struggling with infertility, this cost is simply too much to bare. But is this cost something that our healthcare system can afford?
This decision may seem like it would cost the healthcare system more money than saving it, but let’s review some of the issues surrounding the outcome of IVF which are potentially costing the system millions. IVF clinics often implant a number of embryos in the female to help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and most couples are happy to try this method. However, the chance of having multiples (twins or triplets) does increase with this practise and although most infertile couples would happy with this, the risk of complications rises significantly for both the mother and the children (both short and long term issues). It’s these very complications which are costing the system millions of dollars and may be avoided if the IVF funding was put into place (only one embryo would be implanted and would therefore reduce the chances of multiples, minimizing complications). An expert panel reviewed the scenario and concluded that the healthcare system would actually save an estimated $400-550 million dollars over 10 years due to the likelihood of less multiple births.
The complications due to multiples is regarded as the most pressing issue for IVF clinics across the country.
Check out this website for more information:
http://www.conceivabledreams.org/
