I don't really object to them means testing the medicare rebate even though it would definitely impact us...as I see this as kind of fair - but the ivf cut backs were clearly not thought through and are not a suitable means for addressing the concern re: specialist fees...and it is now being said that these fees may be rising only in line with costs of treatment and not just lining specialists pockets...clearly not enough research was put into this proposal
Thansk for the link to the committee report - certainly an interesting read.
I am praying that this does not go through. If it does, it is the end of our IVF treatment.
And that comment by Roxon about $6000 and not being extra out of pocket - complete load of crap if you do the sums.
Gargy - In response to your earlier post, we've yet to jump on the IVF train, but have been told it's by far our best option of getting that BFP. We weren't going to be rushed into making a decision, but with these proposed changes, I'm pretty sure we'll now try to get at least one cycle in this year, although I am concerned that we may not have fully exhausted all our other options. Idealistic as it sounds, we wanted to give ourselves as much chance to conceive naturally as possible, and were happy we still had a bit of time up our sleeves. Now, there's another clock besides the biological one ticking...
we booked ours for October , Because frankly even if you save just a little , You are still saving and who really knows if the first attempt at ICSI is going to take . Dont get me wrong we were always going to do it , But it meant we decided to start a few months earlier . As Canberra Fertility Centre explained it seems that each procedure will have an item number and a set amount that can be claimed!
When I worked in Health insurance a few years back items numbers had set medicare scheduled fees ( this usually meant that the paitent was left out of pocket.
All though they state that specialists fees are too much and that they beleive that specialists will be forced to charge less ( this does not occur when you pay 65-120 to see a gp and get back 33.00 ) I would have preferred that they didnt have the baby bonus at all ! Or the stupid 900 stimulus that also got issued to dead people and pets , What an abs stuff up that was!!
Last edited by dusty; August 20th, 2009 at 10:00 PM.
: got around autmatic censor - edited
The Federal Government outlined in the May 2009 Budget implications for IVF funding
The Federal Government in the May 2009 Budget outlined some important changes that will affect funding for IVF treatment. The Government announced that the Medicare Safety Net funding for IVF will change from 1 January 2010. The indication is there will be caps to a number of Medicare Benefits Schedule numbers in relation to assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the funding or rebates for IVF treatment from 1st January 2010.
IVFAustralia and in fact the entire IVF profession and patient support group ACCESS Australia is seeking clarity on the Government?s proposed changes, which could mean a fairly significant increase in the out of pocket costs for patients. The Government has not issued any specific details as yet, we only know that there will be changes from the 1st January 2010.
If you have any questions regarding the costs and how this may affect you or the potential changes to funding for IVF treatment from 2010 please talk with our team. Be reassured that if you are undergoing treatment now or before 1st January 2010 there is no change to your Medicare Safety Net rebate funding.
It is very encouraging to see the opposition and others likely to block this in the senate.
We're not going back this year as we just can't fit it in - but did consider trying to squeeze a cycle in because of the threatened changes.
IVF Medical Directors said, on its figures, patients' out-of-pocket costs for a typical treatment cycle would rise almost $1700 - from $895 to $2592. (Coalition threat to block IVF changes in Senate)
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