I just recieved 'the letter' from my FS stating how the goverment's changes will affect me....

1. The Commonwealth Government has capped the medicare safety net to limit the rebates to patients. Patients will recieve approximately $1500 less than previously.

2. The Commonwealth Govt has changed the medicare safety net to curb rebates if items are bulk billed. Patients must now b e charged the FULL cost of treatment upfront to enable full access to the MSN. FS can no longer bulk bill IVF item numbers.

3. The Commonwealth Govt changes mean that some components of the IVF cycle, (particularly ICSI and some medications) will now have to be billed seperately.

They also gave some examples of 'then and now'

===NOW===
Current cost of IVF cycle - $7500 - $8000
Patient Prepayment - $5000 - $5500
Bulk Billed to Medicare - $2500
Final Out of Pocket Expenses - $1000

===AFTER 1st JAN===
Cost of IVF cycle - $7500-$8000
Patient Prepayment - $7500-$8000
Bulk Billed to Medicare - $0
Final Out of Pocket Expenses - $2500

The only really, I guess positive thing that has come out of it is the cost of subsequent cycles is reduced by $500.

I really don't know what to do?! Do I do a cycle this year even though I feel so rushed and unprepared - because that would mean I pay less upfront and get more back? Or do I do my cycle in April/May when I planned???

Raghhhh...

Anyway - just thought i'd post this to give an example on how it affects someone...