IVF funding privately and NHS

[SamS12]

Hello,

Myself and wife are hoping to have a child soon and are investigating IVF clinics now. We're not eligible for funding under the NHS yet because we've only been trying for one year, however we don't want to wait any longer. My question is, if we begin our journey privately, would it affect eligibility for NHS funding down the line if we are not successful the first time?

We have the funds to start privately but those funds will run out sooner than later, so we are just planning for the future.

Thankyou,
Sam

You need to search the criteria for the CCG where you are. For example Merseyside state:

“For women aged 40 and up to 42 the CCG offers 1 full cycle provided:
 They have never previously had IVF (including private treatment)
 There is no evidence of low ovarian reserve (see section 3.4).
 There has been a discussion about the implications of IVF at this age.
 The cycle must commence prior to the woman’s 42nd birthday.”

It may be different in Manchester, Newcastle or wherever, google the IVF policy for where you live to find out. Wishing you luck in your fertility journey.
www.accessfertility.com/blog/nhs-ivf-provision/

Usually any previous private rounds are deducted from your NHS entitlement - so if you would get 3 goes on the NHS and have 1 private round then you'd have 2 rounds left on the NHS

I'm sure people will be along to say just don't tell the NHS that you've had previous private treatment but as well as ethical and moral implications most clinics learn a lot from failed cycles - especially the first one - and you don't want to risk the success of a subsequent round because a clinic doesn't have all the information

Thanks for the replies.

Wimowehwimowehwimowehwimoweh I've just checked our local policy and it's the same, very useful information to have thankyou.

twinningatlife also useful to know this. I don't think I'd be happy not telling the nhs the truth!

Hi -has your doctor done the initial blood tests and semen analysis. I’m pretty sure you are entitled to this after a year. Also -are you wife’s period regular? Very painful? These things might mean you could push for a referral sooner?

I got diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovaries due to very painful, heavy periods, pain during intercourse and irregular cycles. Because of these things I was able to be referred sooner than two years. Could you try to see a different doctor next time as well?

Good luck! It’s hard waiting!

Hi there,

Thanks for your input. We've had those and yes things were on the low or irregular side for one reason or another. The GP wants to repeat everything in 3 months, and I guess would then maybe refer (and who knows how long that would take. Perhaps we could push but I think even if we did it'd still be a long wait. We are thinking if eligible to spend a bit of time doing IUI and if that's not successful we'd still be able to request IVF. We will see I suppose, just researching things now.

Thanks again for your kind words!