Access Fertility Refund Programme

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Has any one used this way of funding fertility treatment?

I have had two NHS ‘goes’ of ICSI one of which failed and one ended in a chemical pregnancy.

We are currently looking at our options and wonder if the refund programme was viable. From what I can see it is very very expensive and we would need to take out a loan or similar to pay for the upfront cost. It would be helpful to hear any real life experiences of this funding method and what it entails in practice.

Thank you

I haven't done the programme myself but started looking into it after 3 failed Icsi attempts. Having had 3 failed attempts previously they said we didn't qualify for the refund programme but would offer a multi cycle discount. I would ring them and ask what you would qualify for with 2 failed cycles previously as it might not be the advertised rates or you might be ok with only 2 behind you.

That’s a good point I didn’t think about being rejected for past failures

I don’t know whether to just throw everything at one last attempt or maybe consider the multi option like you? Did they give you any idea of cost?

I went to Care in Manchester for previous treatments

The refund programme is based on your medical records from your ivf clinic for which they will ask your consent in order to obtain it. They will then conduct their own assessment and get back to you if you qualify for the 100/70/50%. So any previous failed or problems with eggs/sperm will affect your chances of qualifying for the refund programme, the more issues the less the refund or not qualify at all. The multiple however does not require medical review. Prices are expensive but if you were to price it for each go paid for directly then it definitely works put cheaper. The decision as to which you qualify for doesn't take too long from when u send back all the necessary paper work. Good luck

Thanks for that, I am going to make contact with the clinic shortly.

What happens if this is your first go? Do they just carry out initial tests to determine the refund which will be given?

We're using them. We hadn't had any previous treatments and were offered the 3 rounds 50% and the 70% refund programs. We did get pregnant in the first round but later miscarried. I'm so pleased we can go into our FET knowing it's all paid for (except the drugs). It is a gamble paying upfront for cycles you don't know if you will use.

Lilly, sorry if this is too personal but on what basis were you offered those percentages ?
More I think about it the more it seems worth it because even if I did get pregnant on the first (which would be my third in total) go, it would be worth the money if you see what I mean?

Hi there,

We used them. We were offered all packages and went for the 3 gos with 100% refindbif no success. We had had no previous treatment. Me 35 at time of application, dh 37. The only issue they could find for infertility was dh’s less than favourable sa results. My amh was 17.

We had a freeze all enforced after first egg collection (over stimulation) and had success with our first fet. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant.

I think we paid nearly £14,000 but have no regrets. My attitude was always that if someone told me to hand over that amount and they would guarantee me my own baby, I would pay it in a heartbeat. I also felt less pressure, as if first shot had failed we had plenty of opportunities to try again, as it covers all fets.

Good lord 14k. But yes, like you say if I could hand over 14k for a baby, I would in a heartbeat - putting it bluntly. It is extra peace of mind. I’ll have to check re what I will qualify for thought, bearing in mind the previous failures. I’ll be 32 in a month or so, so not old yet but I still feel as though I need to get a move on.

I'm not really sure what they base it on to be honest, they just called me to say I was excepted and gave me the choice. I wasn't offered the 100% refund so there must have been something that was marked against me. We have unexplained infertility and I was 35 when we started treatment, maybe it was an age thing and we have never been pregnant. 1 cycle includes and fresh and all FETs, so for us we would only have to do 1 fresh and 2 FETs to make the upfront payment worth it, then 2 whole cycles would be free (I hope that makes sense). I got 5 embryos from our first cycle so 4 FET chances.

I don’t know why (wasn’t explained) but I never produce many eggs. It was three last time and two embryos were put back, the other one withered away. Does anyone know why this could be?

Yes, I know whg you mean. It can be 7k for one go in the UK so when you think about it 14k for three goes with the chance of a refund does seem worth it.

I think ours we just under 10k, I agree that I would absolutely hand over that money to get pregnant. I think yours would be cheaper as your under 35.

I’m going to enquire tomorrow. Having had two failed goes last year I’ve booked a bloody shed load of holidays this year so would need to get those out the way before actually starting any treatment, not to mention time off work!

In that time I could start to save and then maybe a bank loan to cover the rest

Make sure you factor in the drugs cost, even after we bought the main drugs there were extras I needed to buy, one of the extra shots was £100 each, I had to buy 3!

I chose the 50% IVF refund, can't remember if I was offered others, but had already decided on the 50% so may not have discussed it. I think it was about £11k plus meds on top of that.

I'm a solo mum so hadn't previously TTC, but chose to go straight for IVF aged 34 for better success rates (AMH was 6ish, lower end of normal for my age) and hoping for remaining embryos to freeze for siblings.

It definitely took the pressure off. My first transfer didn't work. My second one did (now a toddler!) so I probably didn't break even. However you just have no idea and figured that if it was successful early on you don't mind losing the extra money as you got the happy ending anyway. But if the three cycles didn't work, at least you got money back to have further treatment (or decide that it's the end of the road but at least haven't lost money from all three cycles and transfers).

I don’t know what my AMH is, I think remember them saying it was slightly low but I don’t know what this actually means.

It sounds like a lot of money but what else could it be spent on that would be more worth it? Holidays, car, house? Not more important, to me anyway.

I did this scheme and signed up to 100% refund if no Abby after 3 cycles - we had one failed nhs cycle before that.

My plan had been if no baby by the end of it we’d get our money back and consider “other options”. Got pregnant on cycle one so in total cost us £16500 with all tests and drugs etc. The way I see it I spent that money regardless and rather get pregnant cycle one than get my moneys worth!! Took a lot of pressure off knowing three cycles were paid up front too and I felt like I had no regrets and we were giving it our best shot.

Baby not Abby!

I think I’m probably going to use access (few hurdles before I get to that point but that’s by the by). I see it as if you have early success and have technically over paid then great - you have a baby and your early success is the reason the scheme is viable. Another woman like you gets her shot, and that’s got to be a good thing. Someone did mention assured fertility to me recently- which seems a similar sort of program. Does anyone have experience with it?

I have a few holidays booked this year so will likely be having the treatment towards the back end of the year. That way I can coincide Christmas leave.