IVF in Canada - Help!!
Dec 1st 2009 | 3:00 pm
#16
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Posts: 129
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
When I did my initial online search. I came across a document published by the Ontario Health Advisory Committee (OHTAC), dated October 2006. In this it states
"Currently, in Ontario OHIP covers 3 cycles of IVF only in cases of bilateral tubal obstruction, which comprises less than a third of all patients undergoing IVF treatment."
I would obviously not race across the country until I know the facts for sure, and I expect there will we a number of hoops to jump through, not to mention the waiting the list. I was just hoping if anyone knew any more details before I call the OHIP about this.
"Currently, in Ontario OHIP covers 3 cycles of IVF only in cases of bilateral tubal obstruction, which comprises less than a third of all patients undergoing IVF treatment."
I would obviously not race across the country until I know the facts for sure, and I expect there will we a number of hoops to jump through, not to mention the waiting the list. I was just hoping if anyone knew any more details before I call the OHIP about this.
Dec 1st 2009 | 3:03 pm
#17
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,374
From: Windsor, ON
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
A word of warning for when you call OHIP a) they're notoriously "difficult" b) they often don't even seem to be sure of their own rules!
Might be worth giving a fertility clinic a call to see if they'll offer advice on the matter ....
Might be worth giving a fertility clinic a call to see if they'll offer advice on the matter ....
Dec 2nd 2009 | 3:36 am
#18
GO FLAMES GO!!!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 571
From: Calgary eh?!
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
When I did my initial online search. I came across a document published by the Ontario Health Advisory Committee (OHTAC), dated October 2006. In this it states
"Currently, in Ontario OHIP covers 3 cycles of IVF only in cases of bilateral tubal obstruction, which comprises less than a third of all patients undergoing IVF treatment."
I would obviously not race across the country until I know the facts for sure, and I expect there will we a number of hoops to jump through, not to mention the waiting the list. I was just hoping if anyone knew any more details before I call the OHIP about this.
"Currently, in Ontario OHIP covers 3 cycles of IVF only in cases of bilateral tubal obstruction, which comprises less than a third of all patients undergoing IVF treatment."
I would obviously not race across the country until I know the facts for sure, and I expect there will we a number of hoops to jump through, not to mention the waiting the list. I was just hoping if anyone knew any more details before I call the OHIP about this.
Also a word of advice from someone who has been through 2 years of fertility treatment, is to think about it very carefully. It is a very draining process and I am in two minds about whether to put myself through it again here (was not successful in the UK) It can take over your whole life very easily and the stress of "will this month be the month" is very emotionally draining.
I would think very carefully before relocating for something with no guarentee of success.
Good luck whatever you decide to do
Dec 2nd 2009 | 5:17 am
#19
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From: UK
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
Whats the wait time like though? If it's anything like the NHS here you have to wait years hence why people end up going private.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Dec 2nd 2009 | 5:51 am
#20
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From: In Limbo
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
Dec 2nd 2009 | 7:03 am
#21
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From: UK
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
My cousin has been trying to concieve for 3 years as she had blocked tubes but they only just found this out. She had an op and luckily fell pregnant naturally in the end. I hope this will be the case for the OP as I know what a difficult time it is having seen my friends go through it.
I thought I would ask how long the waiting time was as this can be an issue for some people depending on their age/circumstance. I figured it may be something to consider anyway.
Dec 2nd 2009 | 7:35 am
#22
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Posts: 129
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
I imagine the IVF clinic won't return our calls and emails, and we'll end up waiting for the results in a brown envelope which takes nearly 4 years to arrive... just like dealing with the London HC all over again
Dec 2nd 2009 | 10:51 am
#23
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 894
From: Heritage Valley in Edmonton
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
Here are a couple of links for decent info:
Frequent Aked Questions
Forum thread on insurance cover
The forum is apprently quite good.
We had IVF in Ontario in January and now have 2 babies, we started looking into it the previous January but it took until May to get the first appointment.
In Ontario you can get help for blocked tubes but it has to be both tubes.
We would have been covered for some drug costs had we insured earlier, but after consultation it was too late.
For the treatment and drugs it came to just under $10K.
Frequent Aked Questions
Forum thread on insurance cover
The forum is apprently quite good.
We had IVF in Ontario in January and now have 2 babies, we started looking into it the previous January but it took until May to get the first appointment.
In Ontario you can get help for blocked tubes but it has to be both tubes.
We would have been covered for some drug costs had we insured earlier, but after consultation it was too late.
For the treatment and drugs it came to just under $10K.
Dec 3rd 2009 | 6:24 am
#24
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 58
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
hi, I've not been on BE for a long time, so shame on me. I found everyone's help and support during the dark days of immigration amazing. We have been in BC now for nearly 2 years, we have our PR, but have unfortunately now hit our next big bump and stress in the road.
Ironically we moved to Canada to raise a family, but after a year plus of trying and one laparoscopy last week, my wife and I were told yesterday that we have no chance of having a natural birth. We are both devastated and I'm still not quite sure how and what to do or think. I have been looking into IVF here in Canada (we actually won't know if even IVF will work until we get some more test results back on 16th Dec), as I need to proactively do SOMETHING other than cry.
Anyway in BC, IVF is not covered, nor is it covered by my extended health. The cost per cycle can be anywhere between $10K - $20K each, with many people needing 3 or more cycles. I've been Googling like mad and have found that apparently in Ontario they will offer up to 3 cycles of IVF to anyone who is of PR status and has Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP), which i believe is the same as Medicare in BC. The emotional stress aside, we can't afford even one cycle, not to mention 3, so I am seriously looking at leaving BC and heading East to Ontario where they offer IVF to women with both fallopian tubes blocked (like us).
I really wanted to reach out to the BE community to find out if anyone has had IVF in Ontario via their OHIP, or if they have even moved to Ontario from BC to get it. I don't want to seem like a health tourist, but we live in Canada and pay Canadian taxes (and a lot of them), but by living on the West Coast we could potentially be $60K worse off, and by living here we may also give up the chance of even trying to make our dreams of having a child come true.
Hopefully these are not the ramblings of a madman, but I'm clutching at straws. Any help or advise welcome
Ironically we moved to Canada to raise a family, but after a year plus of trying and one laparoscopy last week, my wife and I were told yesterday that we have no chance of having a natural birth. We are both devastated and I'm still not quite sure how and what to do or think. I have been looking into IVF here in Canada (we actually won't know if even IVF will work until we get some more test results back on 16th Dec), as I need to proactively do SOMETHING other than cry.
Anyway in BC, IVF is not covered, nor is it covered by my extended health. The cost per cycle can be anywhere between $10K - $20K each, with many people needing 3 or more cycles. I've been Googling like mad and have found that apparently in Ontario they will offer up to 3 cycles of IVF to anyone who is of PR status and has Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP), which i believe is the same as Medicare in BC. The emotional stress aside, we can't afford even one cycle, not to mention 3, so I am seriously looking at leaving BC and heading East to Ontario where they offer IVF to women with both fallopian tubes blocked (like us).
I really wanted to reach out to the BE community to find out if anyone has had IVF in Ontario via their OHIP, or if they have even moved to Ontario from BC to get it. I don't want to seem like a health tourist, but we live in Canada and pay Canadian taxes (and a lot of them), but by living on the West Coast we could potentially be $60K worse off, and by living here we may also give up the chance of even trying to make our dreams of having a child come true.
Hopefully these are not the ramblings of a madman, but I'm clutching at straws. Any help or advise welcome
We litterally just arrived in Canada (2 weeks only) I can just wish you the best of luck in finding a solution to conceiving in your case, I hope that the results you will get next week will open other options maybe?
Have you thought of maybe going abroad to have the treatments necessary? USA any better? Back to Europe - assuming it is where you came from like us?
I just so understand how desperate you must be and willing to do almost anything to get the best chances (moving, etc...)
Good Luck, Good Luck and Courage and perseverance... take your time and study every possibility fully if you can (LoL) on your way of becoming parents which has already started!
Dec 3rd 2009 | 8:31 am
#25
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 129
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
thanks again to everyone who has offered support and advice, it really means a lot. When I started this tread I had just been hit with an unseen right hook and had one knee down on the canvas and my OP was a reaction to sheer panic. Although the pain doesn't go away, we have picked ourselves up and are ready to fight on to what ever conclusion this path may take us.
To have such support from strangers is astonishing, and testament to this forum.
To have such support from strangers is astonishing, and testament to this forum.
Dec 3rd 2009 | 9:24 am
#26
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Posts: 7,284
Re: IVF in Canada - Help!!
PLus, when he says he didn't get through, does he mean he tried recanalisation or does he mean that the contrast media wouldn't push through?
Either way you don't want someone who makes such mistakes - IMO.
