Socialized Healthcare - IVF - Question

[Baby4me70]

If you live in country that has a socialized health care, how did you get approved for IVF?  Is it covered, and how long did it take for you to get to see a Dr. for the IVF?  Since we (the USA) is looking at going to a socialized healthcare system I was wondering what we might expect.

Thank you so much!

[Baby4me70]

I was not refering to going to another country to do the procedure; but just trying to figure out what we might expect here in the US if we go to socalized healthcare.  

[Heather5]

As a non-citizen, I think you would have to pay out of pocket anyway...it wouldn't go through the socialized healthcare system. I think most countries in Europe at least, also have private clinics, so the waiting list problem probably wouldn't be an issue for you.  In most cases, it's still a lot cheaper than doing it in the US...even though the dollar has been pretty weak lately. Where are you thinking about having this done?

[GiGiGiGi]

Fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF are not covered where I live, but all the testing leading up to those treatments is covered by our provincial health care system.  Apparently some Canadian provinces have ivf and iui covered, but unfortunately for me, we will have to pay out of our pockets if we want to proceed.  I think that our provincial government is currently considering allowing IVF and IUI for people who have been trying for at least a year and have been seeing a specialist, but probably by the time that gets passed it will be too late for us.

Socialized health care is OK, as long as you dont mind being on a wait list of  4 - 6 months to get in to see a fertility specialist.  Seriously, the wait to get in to see any type of specialist, or to get an MRI or other diagnostic test is RIDICULOUS here.  However, it is great just for day to day medical care - it is really nice not to have to worry about the basics.

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