IVF treatment in Australia (south australia)

[jgill]

Hi,

I am currently living in the U.K and investigating IVF treatment through the NHS and privately. I am actually australian and mayl be going back to SA in approx 6 months time . I was wondering whether any body knows how the system works in there (ie. waiting lists, medicare cover, cost of private treatments etc).

Thanks

Juliette

[Sand]

Hi Juliette

I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about how the system works in Australia. I just wanted to welcome you to this site - you're in good hands here !! Where abouts are you in the UK ? There is/was a lass on here from Australia - Belinda or, I think, "Bel B", and also Jaye ...... it might be worth titling a message for them ?? ..

Sandra x

[jaye]

Hi Juliette,

I've had all my treatment through Sydney IVF. I think they are on the expensive side, but I pay around $3,100 out of pockets (Medicare picks up around $2,000, so the total cost is around $5000). You then get around 80% of that out of pockets back after you reach a certain threshold (which you do pretty quickly with IVF) through Medicare plus (a new thing you probably haven't heard about), so my out of pockets are only around $1,000 per go. You then have to pay for the hospital and anaesthetist - around $600 or so extra, I get 100% of that back from my private insurance (if you don't have that you'd have to pay I guess). I get another $100 or so on treatment also back from my private insurance. Meds are extra, my private doesn't cover them (another couple of hundred), but some might. From what I can see, the subsidies are far higher than in the UK or US and it ends up being far cheaper. I also understand you can go as a public patient and get 100% paid through Medicare, but I don't know about waiting lists for that as I've never investigated. Feel free to PM me if you've got any other questions.

Jaye.

[jgill]

Dear Sandra and Jaye,

Thankyou for your replies to my email, I will be investigating further the system in south australia, I suspect it differs in each state a little bit. Also, thank you for welcoming me onto the site. It seems all very complex the subject of infertiltyand it is good to be able to ask questions.

Thanks again

Juliette

[BelB]

HI Juliette,
Sorry about the dely in responding to your E-Mail, life has been hectic of late (we had a baby girl on the 8th of November). I'm in Qld, and yes, I do suspect it does differ a bit from state to state in Australia. I would recommend private health insurance though, it covered things like theatre, anaesthetist and surgical type expenses, kept my costs down quite a bit. Medicare comes to the party somewhat, but not entirely generous I would have to say!
All the best with your treatment cycles, would be happy for you to send me a private message if you want any more details or information on the Aussie expereince!
Belinda

[nicolamark]

I have a friend in south Australia, whos done several IVF cycles. If you're interested still PM me and I will try to get you in touch with her.