Billed extra for IVF after treatment ended - do we have to pay?

[ally2104]

Hi everyone, I am a longtime lurker, but have now decided to take the plunge and join as I am finally expecting!
I have a problem that I was hoping someone with legal knowledge may be able to help me with....
In February/March this year we commenced our second cycle of self-funded IVF at our local hospital, (first cycle failed). We paid in full up front, (£2600), and received a receipt for that amount dated 29/02/2008.
Our cycle went well, and I had egg collection on 15/04, followed by Embryo transfer on 17/04, (this was carried out at a different NHS hospital).
I discovered I was pregnant 2 weeks later, and we were over the moon. However, on 22/05/08 we received a letter from our local hospital informing us that the cost of IVF had gone up on April 1st, and we therefore owed them another £130.
I objected to paying this amount, as we had paid in full before our treatment began, and we were never told at any time that the price could end up being more. Their argument is that as my treatment did not end until 17/04, we are liable for the extra money.
So far, I have refused to pay, (we can't afford it as the cost of the two IVF's has totally wiped us out financially), and they have given us seven days.
I am actually going to be having the baby there too, which obviously makes it all a bit more awkward.....
Basically, what I wanted to know is, do I have a leg to stand on legally? If not, then we will have to find the money somehow.
Also, just to make it clear, I am HUGELY grateful to them for getting me preggers, but don't see why that means we should get ripped off, IYSWIM, (particularly as we are no longer entitled to our free NHS cycle if I have a live birth, so I sort of feel like I've saved them a bundle already!!)
Sorry for the essay! I'd be hugely grateful if anyone knew where we stand on this though.
Many thanks
Ally x

You'll need to read your paperwork and see if allows them to increase their costs. Most contracts will usually cover themselves so you need to read all the small print.

Hi there and thank you for replying. I have been through all my paperwork, and the only reference to payment they make is that full payment must be received before treatment can commence. There is no mention of the possibility of price increases once treatment has started. We were aware, from reading notices in the clinic waiting romm, that there was a price increase planned for 1st April, however, we assumed, that as we had already paid in full before starting our treatment, these increases would not apply to us - in hindsight we probably should have double checked!!
Thanks again
Ally

waiting room- sorry, typing too fast.

bump

if you had to pay in full before treatment commenced and the contract does not state that there is a clause for increasing rates I would write back to them and state that you have complied with the terms of the contract and paid in full prior to treatment commencing and that there is nowhere in the contracts that they can surcharge you.

I am not a legal btw

well its unlikely that the doctors and staff who helped get you pregnant are the ones behind the rate rise so I wouldn't worry about the gratitude issue!

If your contract mentions nothing about increasing costs after the event then you need to write them a letter saying that you were requested to pay the full amount £x,xxx up front before treatment could commence and were not informed at any time during your treatment that costs had increased. You therefore dispute the charges and will not be paying and if they have any issue with it you will pass any future correspondance to your solicitor.

My advice would be to play dumb about the notices in the wiating room - perhaps you were too traumatised to read tehm or just didn;t notice them - they should have writeen you a letter NOT relied on a general notice as you had already paid.

Certianly worth a try in teh first instance.

Hi guys, and thank you so much for your advice and views. It's really nice to have the support. We will definitely be writing to them as suggested- we were dealing with them by 'phone, but will put it in writing now and make it official!
Thanks again
Ally x