Under Dr. Ellen Greenblatt’s direction, and with the support of the provincial government of Ontario, we will soon have access to public coverage of IVF in Ontario, allowing us to direct patients to this low-risk, highly effective treatment for all our patients.

There are many arguments in favour of public funding, from basic human rights to a reduction of long-term medical complications. Studies have shown that denying public funding is often more costly in the long run than simply offering it.

If you’re in a position to influence policy in your province, perhaps through your local MP, social media, or a professional organization, people will need some proof. Consider supporting your argument with reference to the following document from Alberta Health:

http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/AHTDP-Assisted-Reproductive-Technologies-2014.pdf

I believe and hope that if funded IVF is recognized as a good idea for Ontario and Alberta, one day it can be recognized as a good idea for every province and territory in Canada.

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The government also reversed its recent move to cut funding for certain OHIP-covered fertility monitoring services (such as blood tests), which is a big relief for doctors and patients alike. It looks like those cuts are now off the table.

Read the government’s news release
Read the expert panel’s recommendations to the government

This is a big day for fertility care in Ontario — but there’s a lot of information we’re still waiting on.

We’ll keep this page updated with any information that comes in about the OHIP-covered IVF process, as well as answers to any questions you may have.

The post Important announcement: OHIP-covered IVF cycle to launch December 2015 appeared first on Fertility.ca.

(If you aren’t caught up, I recommend reading my post on the latest status of OHIP-covered IVF in Ontario.)

So far, all we know is that the expert advisory panel has recommended excluding women over 42, and severely obese women, from eligibility for this coverage — on the basis that they’re medically less likely to see success from IVF, and that IVF could be more risky for their health.

With the failure of Quebec’s provincially-covered IVF program due to ballooning costs, it’s not surprising that the panel is considering cost-efficiency.

However, this is also controversial news. Some experts believe excluding women like this could be unethical. (And, needless to say, heartbreaking and upsetting for women who find themselves ineligible for this free round of treatment.)

The advisory panel had more recommendations, but they won’t be released until sometime this fall. We’ll keep you updated here.

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However, many questions about the coverage were unanswered — and unfortunately, still haven’t been answered. Now that we’re creeping closer to the end of 2015, patients and clinics alike are getting antsy.

From Quebec’s slow rollout, we already guessed that a January 2015 launch was wishful thinking, but we had hopes for a summer launch. Indeed, a very strong source told us that we’d receive more specific direction about offering OHIP-covered IVF by July 2015.

Unfortunately, summer has come and gone, and we still haven’t received critical guidelines or instructions about delivering OHIP-covered IVF to our patients.

So I’m sorry to say that for the moment, the answer is: we still don’t know. But don’t lose hope entirely: a spokesman for the Ministry of Health recently said we’ll learn more about eligibility requirements this fall, and the OHIP-covered IVF program should begin “before the end of the year.”

We expect to hear more from the Ontario government in the coming weeks, and will keep you updated here.

The post It’s September 2015, what’s the status of OHIP-covered IVF in Ontario? appeared first on Fertility.ca.

“Funded IVF” requires a number of institutional structures to work properly. Is this going to be a tax credit, or through OHIP? Will there be age or diagnostic criteria? How does the funding apply if couples wish to transfer more than one embryo?

There are many questions and a committee headed by one of my colleagues has been struck.

It is my understanding the committee has yet to meet. To be clear: There is not going to be OHIP-funded IVF in January of 2015.

One well-placed friend has suggested to me she thinks that it will be September 2015, but another more hopeful suggestion came anonymously from a colleague of Dr. Eric Hoskins, the Minister of Health, suggesting that he is supportive and, I understand, some are still most hopeful for June of 2015. I know: This update is not really helpful. But, we are as hopeful as all Canadians with an interest in fertility care to see this opportunity come through for our patients in a manner that is safe, fair and, of course, we hope timely.

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Those who suffer from subfertility often share a profound sense of guilt, as if somehow they could have done better. These feelings get reinforced in subtle and not so subtle ways around us. One example is that funding for fertility has been so difficult to come by. Not just in Canada, but across the world.

For such a common condition, one that affects so many of us on a profound level, that’s remarkable and sad.

It is incredible to me that a country that provides me free ACL repairs so I can get back to the sports that I love would not support even a trial attempt at having a baby.

Gratefully, there are counterforces at work too. Increasingly in Canada, we feel a groundswell of support for making fertility treatments accessible.

Few of us are in control of how and when we may have the opportunity to initiate pregnancy. But as soon as you determine that having a baby is right for you, then through education, supports, and technology where necessary, you can be helped.

It may not have been the way you had hoped or planned to get pregnant, and there might even be uncomfortable choices to consider (such as working with donated eggs and sperm). But there’s always a solution, and I hope that throughout this process you are able to do your best to not resort blaming yourself or your partner, despite some deep external pressures.

I hope and believe we are all just doing our best.

The post Are my fertility issues my fault? appeared first on Fertility.ca.

The devil is always in the details, of course.

From the budget:

“The government will provide additional support for people in this province who want to become parents by expanding coverage of infertility services for one cycle of in vitro fertilization per patient per lifetime for all causes of eligible infertility. Enhancing coverage makes infertility services more affordable and increases access to more than 4,000 additional patients annually. The government is also committed to developing a stronger quality and regulatory framework for those providing infertility services to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care.”

It’s a good start! But right now I have a lot of questions.

I look forward to finding out how “eligible” is defined by the government. Will there be age limits? Will using donor sperm or donor eggs impact eligibility? How will the need for IVF be defined? IVF isn’t the right path for everyone. Check out our previous blog post on this topic.

As I’ve mentioned in another previous posts on provincial IVF funding, Ontario will need an expert panel. Converting these words into a well-regulated structure that meets the needs of most people is going to be hard work. There is a lot to be learned from Quebec’s two year long consultation process.

This is a significant move. Along with Quebec, now Canada’s two largest provinces will be providing support. Hopefully this vote by Ontario encourages Alberta to move forward, who I’ve heard is close to funding IVF too. Manitoba already provides excellent tax credits.

If there is a role in the future for a patient advocate, I will let you know.

As soon as I am able to, I will talk about what expected timelines will be.

It is my sincere hope that all eligible Canadians will have increased access to the care they deserve.

The post It looks like Ontario will be covering IVF. appeared first on Fertility.ca.

Today the Ontario NDP rejected the Liberal budget, triggering a provincial election this June. After the election, a new budget will be implemented and we’ll learn where IVF funding stands.

It can be difficult and frustrating not knowing what’s in store for Ontarians struggling to get pregnant—whether partial IVF coverage is still on the table, and if so, when and how it will take shape. I know many of you are watching this issue closely and passionately. We’ll keep you updated as it progresses.

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More to come as we learn more!

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