The Cost involved with IVF

I am a newie here....

I am so confused.... Can you tell me what Health Funds you are with and is there any need for me to get th extras or just get private hospital...

I have found out that i only need cover not my other half...

I just have no idea, what we are up for and what kind of $$ it is going to cost us....

Thank you all
Mel ](*,)

[humphrey]

Mel - you need to check out what level of cover that particular fund requires before you can claim on IVF (I'm assuming that's what you are doing). I'm with HCF and have to be in Top Cover to get a refund for reproductive services (which is very pricey). However this pays for itself after just one cycle. You don't need extras cover. Just be aware that most funds have a waiting period (usually at least 12 months) before they will pay on claims though. It's just a matter of doing some research into different funds to see what's best for your needs.

[Baby~amore`]

However if you got through public clinics nothing is claimable on private health funds (etc maybe some medications) as they say all their services are outpatient
The up side is they are cheaper to start with and there is the wonderful medicare safety net -which is a God send

Goodluck - what is your location Mel3780

Trish is right, your private fund doesn't cover much, although you will need them for some medications and some services (ultrasound etc) and also for your hospital visits.

Once you reach the threshold in medicare, you are covered for heaps, but its still an initial outlay.

Im with NIB and I am in top cover, that is the only cover that would cover me for the IVF stuff. Make sure you read the fine print and check and double check with your fund what you are exactly covered for, because I got caught without the right cover and was furious. It took 12 months for the right cover to come into play and by that time I had spent a fortune....

good luck with it though...

[Beckibee]

Totally off topic, but really wonderful to read all of these posts from earlier this year and to see that the tickers of many now either show a healthy little child or a baby on the way.

I'm sure for those who are still waiting for those BFPs you time will come soon! If only all of the children in the world could be lucky enough to have parents like you ladies who so desperately want them!

Hi Baby~amore and everyone else

Add another success from Westmead here

I'll post our story in another thread

Here's the costs involved for us so far using Fertility First at Hurstville, NSW.

IVF Round #1
MC = Medicare; MP = Medibank Private; OOP = Out of Pocket

Initial Consultantion $150; MC = $61.75; MP = $0; OOP = $88.25
Synarel $260; MC = $0; MP = $62.60; OOP = $197.80
Planning & Mgment* $3150**; MC = $2132.90; MP - $0; OOP = $1017.10
Egg Collection $545; MC = $236.40; MP = $78.80; OOP = $229.80
Hospital Excess $200; MC = $0; MP = $0; OOP = $200.00
Anaethetist $342.30; MC = $0; MP = $222.30; OOP = $120.00

Total out of pocket expense: $1,852.95

* Planning and management includes:
- review of clinical history and any previous treatment cycles to individualise current treatment.
- all ultrasound examinations and blood tests and regular updating of cycle plan.
- instructions by nursing staff on how to prepare for and conduct each phase including supply and administration of drugs.
- all lab procedures
- provision of lab and clinical personnel on weekends and public holidays plus an after hours 'on-call' service.

**Note The $3,150 includes a drug called Luveris which is used to help mature the eggs. The drug is an injection and it's $160 per injection, I needed six ie., $960. Not everyone needs this drug, so it could end up being cheaper.

IVF Round #2

Lucrin $260; MC = $0; MP = $0; OOP = $260.00
Planning & Mgment $3630*; MC = $2116.60; MP = $0; OOP = 1513.40
ICSI $550; MC = $0; MP = $0; OOP = $550.00
Egg Collection $545; MC = $236.40; MP= $78.80; OOP = $229.80
Embryo Transfer $130; MC = $120.85; MP = $0; OOP = $9.15
Hospital Excess $200; MC = $0; MP = $100**; OOP = $100.00
Anaethetist - Haven't got the bill yet.
Embryo freezing $300.00 (not sure if we can claim this) current OOP = $300.00

Total out of pocket expense (not incl anaethetist yet = $2,962.35

*This round included 9 x luveris injections = $1,440.00 more than normal.
** Was able to claim some of excess using my package bonus.

[Minky]

This is alittle left field too but I could only claim about $45 from my PHI for a stim cycle as most of it is done as a outpatient and only OPU could be claimed. My bed at a public hospital was $245.00 but I had a $200 excess so really I wasnt that better off with PHI.
Does anyone PHI pay better I'm MBP
Bec

Ok here are the costs for our ICSI cycle at Next Generation Fertility Parramatta. We saw the Medical Director, I have no idea if he is more expensive than the other Dr's there.

Initial consult $200 (OP around $130)
Follow up consult $130 (OP around $90)

ICSI cycle (full stim) $2990 includes all medications
(OP $1390 as I didn't reach threshold, would have been $595 otherwise)

Day surgery & anethetist was fully covered by Teachers Federation Health, didn't see the bill as it was sent straight to my health fund.

Follow up consult with early pregnancy scan $200. (haven't claimed this one yet so no idea what I will get back)
For a private clinic I think these prices are fantastic!

[Cherie]

Has anyone been through IVF with Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)? I have been referred to Dr Bob Watson with QFG and am wondering about costs for their services.

I have went to Hunter IVF and had my inital consultation. Now I have to get a blood test and hubbie gets a semen analysis. Our next appointment with Dr Hedges, nurse and counsellor is on 14 April. We are out of towners so Hunter IVF are fantastic in making all the appointments on the same day. We will go through assisted IVF and possibly ICSI. We are not in a health fund. What cost do you think we are up for? I understand the Medicare Rebate applies and so after spending $1000 out of pocket we get 80% rebate on out of pocket.

What does IVF cost? What does day hospital and anethitist charge? Also, do we pay it all t Hunter IVF and then we get Medicare cheque back or do we just pay the gap?

Sorry about all the questions but I am so anxious. If anyone could help me that would be fantastic. I just want to make sure we have enough money before we even bother going down back down to Newcastle.

Any help would be great.

[BabyWish]

Originally Posted by Inspiration

Has anyone been through IVF with Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)? I have been referred to Dr Bob Watson with QFG and am wondering about costs for their services.

I am with QFG at the moment and was wondering the costs as well. Can anyone help?

Hi Cherie & Baby Wish,

I just had an appointment with my specialist to discuss this all on Tuesday. We are Brisbane based. My DH & I were thinking it would be way out of our budget (sounds awful planning a baby around a budget but after 4 yrs to TTC and 6 months of no success on clomid & IUI we have had to seriously consider it)...well we were pleasantly surprised. Looks like we will only be out of pocket about $1600 for IVF (my understanding it is extra for ICSI) that is only if everything goes according to the plan our specialist has set out for us. The killer is the initial outlay of $4400 to the QFG upfront. This includes most costs including drugs etc and is all claimable.
Sorry I cannot be more specific but I'm at work and have left on the paper work at home (not something I want to go brandishing around the office)
If I remember I'll post from home this weekend.
Cheers
Happy Easter
Deb

[Danni]

hey guys,

we are seeing Dr Gronow at the royal womens hospital in melbourne.

has anyone done ivf there? so far all of our treatments and tests have been free. semen analysis, ultrasounds, blood tests etc.

When does it start costing us? thanks!

[Minky]

Danni,
I saw Dr Gronow but in his private office at the Freemasons, are you going through public or private? All the tests you had we had done at various labs and got a bill for.Dr Gronow is under MIVF and the charges are done accordingly to that. I'm not sure whether it is on there website, it use to be. I also think it is posted earlier in this thread. Fingers crossed you don't need it and this month is a BFP
Bec

[Danni]

Thanks bec!

we are currently seeing him publically at the womens--does that make it cheaper at all?

[Minky]

Yeah makes a huge difference just a pain the waiting. I'm not sure whether you will be charged at all, I don't know anyone who has done it. You will have to let me know . But with most procedures that are done publically there is a minimal if not no charge. Might want to check the RWH website and see it has anything on it regarding infertility treatment
Bec

[zap]

Hey danni,

I saw dr grownow at his private practice and was advised by my gp to see him publicly. so no cost to you so far? That sounds great! I know the wait is crazy though! Can send me your email address so we can keep in touch i am reconsidering making another appointment with him as these herbs are doing me no good.

take care
racheal