Going private

[BewilderedBee]

Hi all, I just wondered if any of you can help. If you opt to go private, can you save on the costs of initial testing if you've already had them done on NHS? Such as AMH, bloods, semen etc? We're now exploring private options as we think Covid-19 will delay treatment on the NHS by far longer than we want to wait. We're unexplained but obviously have the letters from our NHS clinic. I've looked at some costings online and worried private clinics will insist on us having these tests again and charge us. I'm also feeling I don't know where to start! We don't want to have to travel far if we can avoid itv

I'm also worried that if private fails first time that we might lose our eligibility for NHS funding. We're in Wales. Any tips and experiences that you can share are welcomed xx

Usually most clinics will accept previous investigations as long as they are recent - within 3-6 months for eg. It's common a 3D scan with antral follicle count is needed so do check that's what your scan report is as it isn't always included on an NHS TA scan.

If there's any issues such as male factor or cysts/polyps they may suggest a repeat just to double check things. Virology screening will have a max limit of 3 months to egg collection so if you have had that done that will need repeating. Average cost of scan £190, SA £160, bloods for both £350. In my experience you often forfeit a cycle of NHS for each private cycle you have so do look into this. You could also explore if your CCG has contracts in place with any private clinics and see if they can refer you there although if you already under an NHS unit for assisted conception you may need an IFR to try to do this

I think its very dependant on the clinic and their own timeline requirements. I usually spend 4-8mths of some years working abroad, so had private testing done there- semen, hycosy, AMH/hormones, swabs/bloods for STI's etc. Back in the UK, I qualified for 1 round on NHS, but its an NHS hospital, that also do private. Initial visit was 6-7mths after all my tests. Nothing was said about re-doing any tests, which I was surprised about. I had to lose weight, plus there were delays being referred back, so it was 16mth since my tests abroad to IVF starting!

They did re-test HIV/Hepatitis etc for both of us, and said they would have to repeat once they were 3mths old. I suspect mine might be the exception. Maybe because I'm 41 and TTC 9yrs with 2 losses and in the end they had to rush me through before my birthday. I'd always been told that at least 2 semen samples are required to show proper results for example, whereas OH only had 1.

There are other threads here about many private clinics being shut, whereas others seem to be still open for current patients.  I suspect you'll have to ring around the check.  best of luck though x

Hi OP, I'm not sure about the costs for re-testing (the PPs seem far more knowledgeable than me on that front), however I am also in Wales, and or private clinic, and as far as I know all clinics are now not starting any new treatments following advice from the HFEA. I've just had my FET cycle cancelled.
When we did our IVF cycles, I was actually eligible for NHS funding, but the wait was so long that we decided to go private, and were warned by our clinic that once we did that we would then become ineligible for NHS treatment.

I think it depends on the clinic - my new clinic accepted an SA result that was 15 months old.

It is also worth noting that the IVF cost doesn't usually include any of the drugs which could be another £1,000 to £2,000 depending on your individual circumstances (closer to £2,000 for me due to doses required). There are also packages available with companies like Access Fertility in conjunction with some clinics - haven't used them personally but perhaps someone more knowledgeable can help tell you about that

Thanks for your replies everyone. I made progress yesterday in phoning our clinic to get all our test results! It has to go via their legal department which feels a bit ridiculous, but hey ho, we have a form to fill in! I also asked about investigations to me having blocked tubes, given my appendix removal as a child. They called me back with a range of questions which I answered. This will be fed back to the doctor on Monday, I'm hoping this may result in a HSG, and if I have blocked tubes it would change our 'unexplained' diagnosis which may mean we have treatment quicker on the NHS. They did suggest I wait (rather than pay) as we've already waited a long time and it won't be much longer. At the same time, acknowledging the cancelled treatments with covid 19 will push things further. My understanding was we wouldn't be offered treatment until Jan 2021, so when they call back I will re-confirm with them. I don't see how they can perceive this as being 'not much longer' - feels ages away!!

@BewilderedBee I think most private clinics insist on an HSG before beginning ivf, I know mine did. January 2021 does seem like an awfully long way off, but who knows how long it will be before this crisis is over and treatments can begin again. I'd guess that private clinics will be able to resume before NHS ones though. I'm praying that it will be over quickly and that we can get started again soon. Not sure where in Wales you are but I can highly recommend my private clinic - if you do decide to go that route PM me if you like 😊

My clinic required a HyCoSy before they would plan treatment. NHS had a 3-6 month waiting list for this alone in my area at the time, my clinic booked it in for less than a month (it had to be done between specific cycle dates to ensure I couldn't be pregnant etc). It cost me £475 for that, the AMH test and the initial consultation privately. All other tests (Inc DH's SA) they accepted the NHS results for.

Please remember that any treatment you have privately will be subtracted from your NHS entitlement. So if only entitled to one round and you go private, that's your lot for the NHS too.

Also. remember that all clinics are currently only completing any cycles that have already started. So right now the delay will be everywhere. So you need to also take this into account as the clinics that are most popular would have already waiting lists for treatment and these will also be longer post covid.

What's your NHS hospital policy for the number of rounds of treatment?

How many cycles could you afford privately taking into account that the costs of add ons and medications can vary hugely?

Why are you using the NHS in the first place if you can afford private?
Don't agree with that.

And so you should lose your funding for the NHS if your private round fails. Shouldn't using the NHS

Thanks everyone! I really don't understand why our clinic doesn't check for blockages - it seems like every other clinic does! Yes I'm award treatments have stopped - but this applies to NHS too and my worry is that even if private develop a wait for treatments it will be nothing like the wait for NHS. My clinic advised me on Friday that the waiting list does change, cycles get cancelled and people get pregnant naturally etc.

We get two cycles on the NHS.

@inmyshedsmoking2000 - it's not a case of us simply being able to afford private. It's a big decision that will put us in debt. The reason we are considering it is we're already seeing we are spending less due to covid-19, luckily we are both key workers so our jobs haven't been effected. We know for sure we won't be going on holiday this year and perhaps with a lot of scraping and saving we can afford a private cycle.

@inmyshedsmoking2000- I hope you don't use the NHS for anything and pay privately for it ALL- Specialists, smears, routine appointments, births etc??? Good for you, but what an odd thing to say.

OP- I asked the consultant if we should just go private to start with, as I was concerned about the long wait for the 1 round on the NHS I can get. (No, we don't have cash to just throw around, and would make sacrifices elsewhere). The consultant advised that I should use the NHS round firstly, then if needed, I'll have the cash to have another go privately.

My opinion is that we all work hard and what are we paying 12% NI each month for? I can find the funds to go private but why should I? Should I be punished for managing my finances well and having savings for emergencies? I think we all should be entitled to the Nhs funding first before we open our wallet. Also I find the post code lottery disgusting...