Access packages

[thislittlebird]

If you've bought an IVF package with Access, could you give me an idea of how much extra you had to pay on top of the package fee? I'm specifically looking at the Lister.

I know meds aren't included (I would need short protocol), but I'm trying to budget for what the package doesn't include and potential additional costs like 'freeze all' embryos which doesn't seem to have a price listed online.

Your experience and examples of extra costs would be good to hear.

TIA!

Hey hun, i payed for the mulitcycle package with access and also used the Lister. The only extra’s i payed for were hcg bloods. Payed for these on several occasions as had a cp on my fresh transfer and wanted a check on my fet. If they want extra monitoring its covered. One early pregnancy scan is covered too.

Here to help if you need x

Hey @Bunintheoven111! Thank you for replying.

I’m probably going to go ahead with the multicycle as well. All info is appreciated, it’s such a minefield. How did you find the lister? I’m assuming fet worked for you but correct me if I’m wrong?

I just emailed access for the freeze all fee because I’m at risk of OHSS and wanted to know that price in advance.

@thislittlebird I had a refund package at a different clinic. I knew I was at risk ohss and needing a freeze all due to a previous cycle. When I asked Access in detail about it, there is no extra charge for freeze all if you go into it intending for a fresh transfer but have to change to freeze all during the cycle because it is medically indicated due to ohss risk. They only charged extra if you go into it from the start planning to have a freeze all.

@sazzt Oh that’s really interesting, thank you. I knew it was extra and assumed because private it would be charged for either way.

Do you just have to tell them you want the basic package when you sign up in that case?

@thislittlebird yes, based on having asked one of their phone line advisors about this, I just asked for the standard package and read through the contract carefully before signing to check that freeze all was covered if it was needed. The contract was very explicit on what is/isn't covered. Good luck!

@sazzt that’s good to know, thank you! Just need my consultation booked in so I can make progress now.

Hey hun yes our fet worked am currently 30 weeks!

I haven’t had any problems with them, my appointments were all on time, i was able to change them if i needed. Wasn’t too busy in there. They made me feel really relaxed on both my transfers. Although on both transfers it wasn’t my named consultant but this didn’t bother me too much. I also never met my consultant face to face for covid reasons.

Not much parking close by but i found a street about a 5 min walk and could always get parked there.

Any other specific questions?

Xx

@Bunintheoven111 thanks! Did you have trouble contacting them? I can’t even make an appointment right now, communication seems very slow. been emailing back and forth for a few days and still not appointment booked in.

Was there someone you could speak to between consultant appointments?

Sorry, was in a rush @Bunintheoven111. Congrats on being 30 weeks, that’s amazing!

How old are you? I ask because if you're older and would like to try and "batch" embryos (multiple collection rounds) then Access packages do not permit it. I.e. you would have to use up all embryos before they would fund another collection.

For me due to my age, I wanted to do some collections and get them pgs tested.

@okokok000 I’m 37 about to turn 38. So basically if you get some from round one you have to use them all before you move to two? I guess I expected that anyway, but I hadn’t heard this before.

Did they not let you test the ones you retrieved per round?

Unfortunately, yes that is the case.

They will allow pgs testing (you fund it as an extra), but you would then have to use up all viable/normal embryos before they will allow another collection.

This didn't work for me due to:

1. My age (I did the collections at 39); and

1. Having to use up all embryos and pgs test after each collection would have Increased the fees I paid for pgs testing - my clinic charges £2,850 for up to 8 embryos, then £200 per embryo thereafter.

On one collection I had 5 embryos to test, the next only 4. By batching I saved a fair amount of money on pgs fees and have been able to collect eggs whilst younger and I (In theory) have better quality eggs).

Attached (hopefully) is the email they sent me last summer when I queried the position.

Hey,

I really don’t remember having a problem booking my initial consultation. Between appointments you get a ivf nurses phone number they can deal with your general queries and change appointments for you but anything really specific you can contact the secretary for your named consultant

X

This is good info @Bunintheoven111. I managed to get an appointment when I called on Tuesday, which was a relief, and the lady was really nice and booked us in for 2nd June. She was one of the secretaries. How did you find your consultant? Did you see them in person at all? Sorry if I’m asking a lot. I’m interested in other people’s experiences.

Thanks @okokok000, useful to know! I’m worried about my age for sure, about to turn 38.

Aw thats good. Will you keep us updated?

No its fine ask away. I wish i had someone to ask all these questions to.

Didn’t meet her but I’m sure this was down to covid. I was with Dr Taylor. We spoke several times on the phone and I was always happy with her plan. She was understanding and fair with the plan after our cp. now covid is relaxing i’m sure if you wanted to have a face to face you probably could x

@Bunintheoven111 yes, definitely! we’ve booked in with Dr Taylor too! I saw good feedback about her and decided to request her specifically. No face to face but she’s doing a Teams call with us, which is fine.

Hey hun let me know how you get on xx