Dandenong Fertility - Low Cost IVF
Hi Everyone!
This is my first time visiting the page! Hoping to get some insight into the world of IVF.
DH & I require IVF due to male infertility. Had all the tests & had ICSI suggested to us. Couldn't afford it at the time we found out (12 months ago) but now are looking again.
Have an appointment at the new Dandenong Fertility Clinic - low cost IVF. Out of pocket only $2000 approx for stim with ICSI with most meds included. Only drawback is you need the cost up front. No idea how much this is upfront & how long before you get medicare rebate. No FET provided either but they are linked to MIVF so that is provided there so i hear. Seemed viable for me since I don't have Private Health.
Has anyone had any experience with them? Does anyone know of their costs?
Now I am in 2 minds wether to go there or if I should use a clinic that allows you to pay the gap only? Any suggestions on clinics in melbourne that allow you to do that?
Any help is much appreciated as I'm new to the whole world of IVF!!! ;)
about to commence treatment at Fertility Centre
I'm about to commence treatment at the Fertility Centre. I initially started the process with Melbourne IVF, but was shocked at the cost and out of pocket expenses. The Fertility Centre is part of Mel IVF but operating under a different Trading name in order to offer bulk billing to patients. The Fertility Center offers serveral options for payment:
1. 60:40 option, where you can pay 60% of treatment cost at the commencement of your treatment and then 40% is due at the time of egg collection
2. Full payment up front. Rebate will be processed approx 3wks after embryo transfer (quicker if you have a bank acct details set up with Medicare).
3. Electronic Transfer - bank transfer or bank cheque.
4. Credit Card
My husband and I were also struggling coming up with the funds and we didn't want to use a credit card. We have taken out a Flexi Loan with Westpac, which allows you to use the funds as you need them and only pay interest on what you take out. We realised we could pay up fron this way and then when the rebate comes back we would be out of pocket approx $3000. We have been saving and should be able to pay this back relatively quickly.
two important things you should know with Fertility Centre:
1. they tend to use lower dosage of ovary stimulation drugs (average yeild is 4-6 eggs where Melbourne IVF average yeild is 9 eggs)
2. if you have embryos left over they will continue to fertalise them to day 5 and then freeze them. Melbourne IVF freeze all remaining embryos on day 2.
Hope this helps a little.
Good luck to you all :)
Dandenong Fertility - Low Cost IVF
Thanks McCrazy!
I did find out that you had to pay up front but the 60:40 option might make it more viable. Still unsure of their exact upfront costs, but I suppose that would vary person to person.
With the yielding of eggs, our infertility is due to Male factors - I don't know much about this side, so assuming because there's nothing wrong with my reproductive system that provided they can get eggs - we just need to worry about DH's sperm quality????
DH & I are unable to take out a loan - unless there is a provider who loans for medical reason with bad credit? We can afford the loan repayments no worries, we just aren't able to get approved!!! (A big mistake a long time ago is still haunting us!!!)
I have an appointment on 22/2 - so will see how it goes.I have looked into other clinics & although there are some with less upfront fees, the out of pockets expenses & bulk billing of actual appointments makes your out of pocket far less.