Women who have IVF or other assisted reproductive technology treatments in private clinics can now claim a $2,000 rebate in an Australian first.
The $80 million expansion to the NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-2023 Budget, will extend rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing, introduce a new $2,000 rebate for fertility treatment, increase the number of IVF treatment places in publicly-supported clinics and increase fertility preservation services for patients with a medical need.
The new $2,000 fertility treatment rebate is estimated to help about 12,000 women with out-of-pocket costs associated with fertility treatments state wide.
Local MPs have warmly welcomed the initiative, even though there are no resident fertility specialists in the region. The Genea clinic in Tamworth is a nurse run facility with a specialist who visits 6 times a year. The closest Monash IVF clinic is in Ballina, otherwise patients would need to travel to Sydney or Brisbane.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the cost of IVF treatment can compound the stress of trying to have a baby for those who have spent months or even years trying.
“There’s no bigger decision in life than the decision to have a baby and start a family,” Mr Anderson said.
“The stress and anxiety of trying for months without falling pregnant can be compounded for families when they’re met with the cost of accessing fertility testing and treatment.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall acknowledged costs are higher for his constituents trying to access IVF treatment.
“Those costs are higher in our region because families need to travel to access fertility services and I am proud that this rebate is going to make a big difference to that.”
Mr Marshall said the Affordable IVF Initiative would also increase the number of IVF treatment places in publicly-supported clinics and increase fertility preservation services for patients with a medical need.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the cash rebate is the first of its kind in Australia and eligible women can apply now for the rebate through their MyService NSW account or in person at a Service NSW Service Centre.
“This rebate will make NSW one of the most affordable places in the world to have IVF treatment, easing the burden of out-of-pocket costs families face to access fertility treatments to have a baby,” Mr Hazzard said.
To be eligible for the $2,000 rebate you must:
· be a resident of NSW
· have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered private provider
· have accessed the treatment from 1 October 2022.
Professor Luk Rombauts, President of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting people who need medical assistance to start or expand their families.
“The extra financial support available through this rebate is an opportunity to provide more equitable access to fertility treatments and help more people across NSW fulfil their dreams of having children,” Professor Rombauts said.
The available rebate is separate to the existing rebate for pre-IVF fertility testing, and is not available for lower cost treatments provided by one of the existing NSW publicly supported IVF clinics.
More information on how to submit an application form for the rebate is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-the-fertility-treatment-rebate
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