Many private health insurance policies will cover parts of IVF treatment, which can provide additional financial relief on top of the Medicare rebate.
Private health insurance will cover part of the costs of IVF treatment in Australia
Private health insurance covers Medicare item numbers performed in hospitals.
Please be aware that you’ll need to be on a high-tier policy to get benefits for IVF treatments, so you may wish to compare a few policies and providers before settling on a specific level of insurance. You’ll generally be covered for:
- Egg retrieval
- Day surgery fee and anaesthetist’s fee for your egg retrieval
- Certain medications used during the IVF process might be partially covered but most are not.
A word about waiting periods
Most health insurance policies have waiting periods before you can claim benefits for IVF treatment. Typically, you’ll find:
- Standard waiting period
Some providers offer just a two-month waiting period for assisted reproductive services, but most are 12 months, so it pays to check. - Pre-existing conditions
If you have a pre-existing fertility condition, the waiting period for IVF coverage will jump up to 12 months. - Switching policies
If you switch to a new health insurance provider, you will probably still have to see out the waiting period – unless the new policy includes a waiver for transferring members.
Is it worth getting private health insurance for IVF?
Getting private health coverage for IVF is a personal choice that involves weighing up the pros and cons based on your situation.
Pros of getting private health insurance for IVF
- Private health insurance can reduce out-of-pocket costs like day surgeries and some medications.
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Gold Tier private health policies cover pregnancy and birth, but patients typically must make a co-payment.
Cons of getting private health insurance for IVF
- You will have to pay out-of-pocket costs for IVF cycles.
- The mandatory waiting periods can delay your treatment plan if you are not fully covered.
IVF costs at Flinders Fertility
Explore the costs for IVF, ICSI, and other services offered at Flinders Fertility. Keep in mind that you may also qualify for Medicare rebates and concessions and can also seek financial assistance.
At Flinders Fertility, you'll receive a personalised treatment plan and quote. This will give you a clear understanding of your costs in advance to help with your decision-making. Our finance team will also review the expenses with you to ensure you understand the details and your out-of-pocket costs.
