The cost of IVF?

Hi my DP and i are going to be going through IVF probably next month, was just wondering what the costs are??
Do you have to pay upfront ? or will medicare pay for it ?
Sorry about all the questions but would just like to know before the doctor tells us so i dont faint and fall off my chair if its an upfront cost..lol

We are in Melbourne.

Thanks for your help in advance !!

Cindy

Hi Dolphin,

Welcome to our humble abode. The people here are fantastic so I hope you will become a regular visitor. As you may have guessed, we love to talk!

Which clinic are you at? I'm not familiar with Monash IVF but I know that on Melbourne IVF's website, there is a list of costs for treatment. I'd suggest having a look at that. Also, you might like to have a word with your counsellor, doctor or people at the clinic. There should be a clear outline of what the costs will be before you start.

My understanding is that you need to pay up front and then get some of it back later from Medicare. Don't know if you have private health insurance or not, but I know that when I enquired about it last year, they told me I was covered for IVF. There was the proviso though that I had to be admitted as a patient in order to be covered so that might be worth discussing with your clinic before you begin.

Good luck with your treatment!

Thanks for that Melbo !!

We were at Melbourne Assisted Conception Centre but now have to change fertility clinics cause they dont do IVF.

I think we will be going to Melbourne IVF. I might ring them up and ask. If we have to pay up front we wont beable to go for it until next year :smt022 but i am going to save my hardest cause i dont think i can wait that long..lol

Im going to make phone calls today in regards to it all.

Thanks so much for your help.

Cindy

Sorry it will be Monash IVF that we will be attending. I rang them up and yep its an upfront cost *sighs* but im going to save really hard. Ive got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning so i will beable to get the exact costs for my treatment and everything else.

Cindy

Ok just to clarify something.

With MIVF you do not have to pay upfront. You pay the portion that is the out of pocket expenses, and certain drugs and the hospital bed and anaesthetic. MIVF will send a bill to medicare for the rest of it. For example, my latest bill is $2070 plus whatever else I need. They then send another bill of $2049.95 to medicare to pay.

I'm not sure what happens at monash, but know the fees are roughly the same.

Just note that my cycle involves ICSI ($600) which doesn't have any medicare rebate, and that is a reason why it is higher than normal.

HTH
Jo

Thanks Jo
so if i was to go to Melbourne IVF instead medicare will pay for it and we just pay for a couple of things?? if so fantastic!!

The reason why i was going to Monash was because the doc i had at M.A.C.C works there as well. He may even work at MIVF also...i hope so.

Thanks again.

Hope you get to have your go really soon Cindy!

Keep us informed either way, ok.


Keen

Thanks Keen

i sure will keep yous informed with what happens.

Cindy

Thanks Jo,

Sorry, wasn't aware that MIVF only gets you to pay the out of pocket.

That sounds much less scary now.

Gee that would be great! SIVF make you pay the lot up front and then you eventually get a cheque from Medicare which you forward to them and they then refund you the rest... strange way of doing things if you ask me!


Keen

Interesting. Here in NZ you have to qualify for publicly funded IVF based on a points system (determined by how long you've been trying, your age, how severe the prob is etc). Otherwise is about $10 000 to do it on your own. We went from being about 2 years away from qualifying to qualifying in three months because our sperm count all of a sudden dropped off to almost nothing (so bad they froze the last lot), so was a positive outcome in a round about way!

Yeah, have a look at their website.

Jus thought I would do a basic calculation for you girls, just to get your head around it all.

Admin charge - 210.00 (First cycle only)
Stim IVF cycle- 1470.00
Anaesthetic - 200
Bed (hosp) - 720 (Freemasons)
or 248 (royal womens)

Then there is the synarel if your using it (about 100)

The anaesthetic, you claim yourself from medicare.

If you have private health insurance, this will cover some more of the out of pocket expenses.

HTH
Jo

Actually Jo - you are very right - most clinics have details of there costs on there sites! :D

Hi
I have just found out that the reason why I haven't been able to conceive is that I have blocked fallopian tubes. I guess I will be looking to IVF too. Was considering going to Monash IVF but thanks to this thread I might be changing my mind as I would prefer not to pay eveything up front!!!!!!

Sedony, I'm pretty sure that Monash operate the same way as MIVF. Give them a tinkle and ask to speak to someone in the accounts department, they will be able to tell you for sure.

I just had a look at their website and unfortantly they don't have any fees, but ask you to contact the clinic for more info.


Jo

Hi Sedony,

So did you do the laparoscopy then? How did it go? If you didn't do it, how did you find out that your tubes were blocked?

Regards,

Melissa

Hi Melissa,
I did have the lap on Thursday. Aparently they couldn't flush my tubes out because of an obstruction possible near the juncture where the fallopian tube and uterus meet. At this stage the best I can hope for is that it's mucus blocking the tubes as that can be removed. I have an appointment with a Doctor called Bruce Downing, he is meant to be one of the experts in fallopian microsurgery so I am hoping he can help me. Disapointing news but at least I know. If he can't help I guess its IVF. As I am 31yrs of age I have about a 1 in 3 chance with IVF. It's more than I have now!
thanks for asking
Melissa

Hi Sedony,

I'm glad you decided to go ahead with the lap. As you say, at least you now know what you're up against. IVF was designed specifically to help those with tubal blockages so I hope the outcome will be positive for you. Good that you are seeing an expert microsurgeon too. You are still young and there is a lot of time to sort things out so I wish you all the best with whatever lies ahead. You could be one of the success stories in the upcoming months!

Good luck!

Melissa

several of the girls who post regularly in the monthly thread have dealt with Dr Downing, so if you want some info on him, you should certainly ask them. Im sure they'll be happy to share their experiences.

I hope the results from your lap turn out good and you, at the very least, find out what has been going on.


Keen

Keen,

we have had the discussion about costs a few times now. Is there a way to consolodate these past disucssions into one thread? I know that I have written a couple of long winded responses to inquiries re costs. It would be great to be able to cut and paste these responses rather than re-writting them!

Hayseed

will see what I can do!


Keen

Hi Sedony,

With Monash IVF its all up front costs but the reason why im going through them is because my doctor from M.A.C.C works there aswell and i didnt want to change as im very happy with him. He has sent us through to the Broadmeadows one where apparently its cheaper i think he said.

I hope you find an IVF clinic that your happy with :)

Take care

Cindy

hi every 1 not sure how or what 2 do on here but i was winderin the cost of ivf and how 2 go bout it ive been told that the only way i would fall preg is with ivf but that still may not work :) hope sum1 can help me on how 2 use this site plus with my q

Hi Olly,

Which state do you live in? I would suggest taking a look at one of the IVF clinic's websites because they have the costs listed there usually. Some clinics ask you to pay the whole thing up front and then claim back from Medicare. I go to Melbourne IVF and we pay just the out of pocket up front so it varies.

If you have any general questions, this is the right place to ask! We have a monthly thread where most of the general discussion takes place. There are varied people in this group with varied experiences so chances are, someone has encountered the topic you have questions about.

Good luck!

Melissa

hi iam from nsw syd

Olly,

There are a number of clinics in NSW. Sydney IVF is one of the biggest and they have regional clinics as well. I'm pretty sure I've seen their website and it even has a step by step section to show you what happens on IVF treatment.

How have you reached this point? I gather you have already been for some tests and seen your GP about things. Did they offer to refer you to somebody?

It is true that IVF does not work for everybody. That said, for people with fertility problems, a thirty percent chance with IVF is much greater than the odds we are stuck with now so it is a gamble worth taking if you are up for it.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking? I'm 37.

Mel

hi mel
yeah i have had test done and have seen sum doc.
i dont get my monthly at all couldnt tell u the last time i had em(which i like lol) but not a good thing thou.oOne doc told me 2 lose weight and ill fall preg the other said if i lose weight ill get my monthly then fall preg. I have done that and now then they said it was very hard 4 me 2 fall preg and i may never.Iam not sure what they said is wrong with me but i will find out what they call it.
Iam 26 and other half is 37 he has been tested and his ok it all me :)

Olly,

I hope one of the doctors can give you a name for what the problem is because that will help you tremendously. I recommend you also get your hands on a book called "Getting Pregnant" by Robert Jansen (either local library or book shop). It is well worth it because it explains everything about fertility problems and their treatment. Once you've got the info, you can then make an informed choice about what is being offered to you and you will know all the alternatives. You can ask questions of the doctors and get the answers you need.

Good luck with it Olly. Let us know how you get on and please come and chat in the monthly thread. You'll find lots of ladies who've been through all kinds of treatment and possibly even some who have the same problem. It's great for support in here.

Cheers,

Melissa

hey mel
thanks heaps 4 listin 2 what q i had ur been a great help ill try and get on when its on but not sure when it is
thanks again
O:) thanks
olivia

Hi,

I'm contemplating taking out private health insurance to cover IVF but am not entirely sure it will be worth it. Can anyone advise me what rebates you get through pte health?

As far as I'm aware, the only portion which may be payable (once the waiting period is finished) is any inpatient procedures. According to my last medicare statement, that may mean that I would be able to claim $70. Does that sound about right?

thanks,
H
(PS - I'm with Melb IVF if that helps)

blue, check out this thread where there are several different cycles listed detailing out of pocket expenses, medicare rebates and any private health rebates some of us have experienced.

Hope it helps.

:)

Thanks Keen,

Here's a reply I received this morning from HCF in case there's anyone interested! (am not promoting their product, just thought that it may be handy info!)
H

"Outpatient medical services, including IVF, are not covered by HCF.

Our Top Plus Cover will include cover for IVF services provided while you
are a patient in hospital.

The hospital charges (theatre, accommodation etc) are covered 100% (minus
any applicable hospital excess if you stay overnight). Medical bills are
generally covered by both Medicare and HCF.

Medicare will pay 75% of the scheduled fee, and HCF will pay 25% of the
scheduled fee. Any amount that the doctor charges above this is your out
of pocket expense.

We do have arrangements whereby if a doctor agrees to charge an amount set
by HCF - the "Medicover" or "no gap" amount - you will have no out of
pocket expenses.

Please note that there is a 12 month waiting period for pre-existing
conditions on all our policies. Top Plus Cover is the only option that
will include cover for IVF in a private hospital. Our other two cover
options, Hospital Savings and Hospital Advanced Savings Option, will only
cover you for IVF services in a public hospital as a private patient."

ee

After TTC for 16 months and not getting any younger we are looking at IVF. The cost for stimulated IVF has been quoted as $6000 before medicare rebate and payable up front and the hospital will be $1200 plus aneasthesist costs with Monash IVF. Prices are for 2008. A friend in Melbourne same treatment is paying about a third less with melbourne IVF. Can anyone please advise us of what they have been told for stimulate ivf with either monash ivf or melbourne ivf. :We are very confused by all the prices. I had an ectopic pregnancy when i was young . I would appreciate anyones advice on this matter. We partly feel we are just wanted for our money .pray: