WOMEN seeking fertility treatment can now apply for a $500 rebate under the NSW Government's $42 million election commitment to cut costs for IVF services. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing would "dramatically" cut out-of-pocket expenses for women struggling to conceive.
"Fertility treatment can be a long, expensive and emotionally difficult process so I hope that this extra support will give women more choices and ease the financial burden," he said.
Mr Hazzard said the NSW Government was also expanding publicly supported IVF services in three public hospitals, making fertility treatment much more affordable for up to 6000 women.
The publicly supported IVF clinics will be expanded at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women.
Mr Hazzard said they would also establish Australia's first state-wide fertility preservation service at the Royal Hospital for Women to provide cancer patients with the greatest hope of having a family in the future.
He said out-of-pocket expenses at some clinics for IVF could cost $5000 or more per cycle, but they would be "significantly reduced" at the "publicly supported" clinics.
Women can lodge a claim for the $500 rebate for pre-IVF fertility testing taken from October 1, 2019.
For more information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/affordable-ivf.
