FET and Medicare, plus other questions

**Julie_82** · October 7th, 2014, 10:53 PM

So we've just finished our first attempt at IVF, which was unsuccessful with a fresh embryo. We are now going to try a FET, as we have 5 frozen embryos.

I had a chat with my FS on the phone today when she gave me the negative result from the blood test, and we decided we are going straight from the egg pickup/fresh transfer cycle to the FET cycle with no break inbetween. Started my period yesterday, and will see my FS tomorrow morning and get the hormones required.

However, I have done some googling and have a couple of questions.

1. I found a site that says to be able to claim the FET from Medicare you have to leave a month between the stimulated cycle and the FET cycle. Is this correct? My FS never mentioned anything like this and I haven't seen this anywhere else.

2. I will see my FS tomorrow and get the hormones. Tomorrow is CD3. I read somewhere that normally you start the hormones on CD1. Is it an issue starting on CD3?

When we spoke on the phone she suggested waiting one cycle before attempting the FET. I said I'd like to start right away, but I said I was willing to wait one month if this would be better or easier. She then said it doesn't matter to her, she just wanted to make sure I knew what was involved with all the hormones and everything and thought it might be a bit rushed to start tomorrow, but it was fine to go ahead if that's what I wanted.

I like my FS, but at the same time I know there is a lot of money involved and I have to be cynical and wonder if she will push to go ahead even when there is a lower chance of success for the sake of bringing in the money.

3. I don't know anything about the FET. What hormones are used? And for how long? I read somewhere the FET is done around CD14, but another site said there would be about 20 days of hormones before the transfer. Could anyone enlighten me as to how it works?

Appreciate your thoughts and comments.

**myturn** · October 8th, 2014, 07:00 AM

My cycles were covered by Medicare regardless of the gap between. So unless there has been some changes I don't think that's an issue.

I didn't do medicated FETs said so I can't answer your question except to say that she probably knows what's she's doing and wouldn't suggest it, if it mattered. There are lots of different protocols and everyone needs a different strategy.

My DD is from an FET. It's much easier on the body than a Stim cycle.

**Julie_82** · October 8th, 2014, 01:24 PM

Thanks

I asked the FS this morning and she said she never heard the thing about Medicare and has done back to back cycles before.

She said starting on CD3 doesn't matter either.

**emmjayt** · October 8th, 2014, 01:49 PM

My DD is from a FET cycle and we deliberately left a month after the unsuccessful fresh cycle to give my body and emotions a break in between cycles. The FET cycle is much easier on the body

**onthefly** · October 8th, 2014, 07:35 PM

I don't know about Medicare, but the clinic really ought to know.
re the FET, it really depends what kind of FET you do.... BAsically there's a natural one, where they just track you and then transfer at the 'right' time, then other variations including an HRT FET which involves taking lots of hormones to replace your normal cycle and support the pregnancy (hopefully) till around 12 weeks.