IVF Costs Archives - The IVF Club

Rants and Raves About The Cost of IVF

February 1, 2010 By Carol Leave a Comment

As I was getting ready to undergo another IVF cycle – this time a frozen cycle, I learned that the cost had increased by 68%. Last year it only cost $1,400 and now it has gone up to $2357.00 excluding hospital costs. I can honestly say that an expense that high did not feature in my budget for this month! I would have at least put my dentist off from putting that crown on my tooth that he has been waiting to do for the past 2 years. Now I have the crown plus a higher frozen embryo transfer bill. Nice one! If only work paid me overtime for the time I lose when travelling.

This time the paperwork just came in the mail. No appointment to see the nurse – just the consent form to go another round and a bill! And whats worse it is probably the one time where I really do what to see my nurse. Why? Because logistically it is a little bit more difficult this time as I will be travelling to two different Sates around the time I ovulate.

What this means is that I may need to have to have a blood test in either state. Since my fertility clinic is not available in either Adelaide or Perth, I assume I am just going to have to rock up unannounced without an appointment and have a blood test. The question is where? What blood testing clinics are open early in the morning before the meeting I am supposed to be presenting at. Some advice right now would have been really good – particularly at an extra $957. I guess I am not paying for the service! Maybe I have specialist embryologist or something. Damn it, I know having multiple transfers is unpopular these days but at that rate, I’d rather stick two embryos in and only pay the $2357.00 the once only to find out that my attempts at having a baby didn’t work again! Ok – well it might work but I don’t have a very good track record with this IVF gig.

IVF Antagonist Cycle #9

November 7, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

Yesterday was first day of cycle number 9. Due to the forthcoming Christmas period, I will be doing another antagonist IVF Treatment cycle – the second antagonist cycle in my total treatment. The benefit of doing this is that my cycle will last 28 days instead of the usual 2 months and won’t cut into the Christmas / New Year period when the clinic is closed for egg collection and embryo transfers.

At least I won’t be inconveniencing the doctors and staff who take annual leave. Ironically, it will probably be the best time for me to conceive given I also take holidays over this period so will therefore be in a relaxed and less stressed state.

Forgive me for wanting to have the best possible IVF outcome. I am sure I have become a money tree for my doctor and the staff. To add insult to the wound, is that my doctors comment was that I had a better result on my normal cycle but thought I should go on the antagonist cycle due to the fact that the clinic would be closed over Christmas.

In normal circumstances, I would have been annoyed by this, but the fact remains that financially we are better taking a chance on becoming pregnant now rather than next year. Why you ask? Because the amount I get reimbursed from the Government for the IVF treatment will be higher this year rather than next year when IVF limits become capped. So despite the potential lower odds of conception, it actually makes sense from a financial perspective to give it another go. Ironically, the governments policy to cap IVF has backfired on them – at least in the short term.

Cost of IVF Increases by 15%

November 4, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

The cost of IVF has increased by over 15% since July. This increase marks the second price increase in less than 12 months putting further pressure on would be families.

At a leading Melbourne Clinic, a typical IVF cycle in July cost $4,666 in up front fees. As of November, the cost increased to $5,387.25 – a massive difference of $721.

The clinic does not charge patients all costs up front so with the additional costs considered, the total cost for IVF in July was $6,900 and $8,800 when hospital costs were also included. At the time of publishing, only the up front costs were available. The total cost of IVF is yet to be uncovered but if the 15% increase is applied to the total cost, it may well be that the total cost may push up over AUD$10,000.