BLOG ARTICLE
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is now subsidised under Medicare for single women and women in same sex couples.
Under the new expanded definition of infertility accepted by the Federal Government Health Department, women in same sex relationships and single women can access Medicare rebates for assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, without being required to demonstrate medical infertility through repeated treatment failures. Concept Fertility welcomes this news wholeheartedly, as it brings us one step closer to equitable fertility care.
At this stage, these changes do not extend to surrogacy for single men, or people in same sex relationships. We at Concept Fertility are passionate about inclusivity and equitable fertility care for all and we are strong advocates for everyone to become a part of this change too. We hope to see progress in the near future and will continue to show our support.
Please see below patient FAQs for further information on how this impacts our community.
A published review of the IVF industry in Australia and New Zealand that described the fertility sector as a “patchwork” which was putting unnecessary complications and stress on already vulnerable patients. It is apparent that 40 + commonwealth and state laws govern fertility care practices across the country which create many challenges in industry. You can access this review via the following link: Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand.
This affects single women and same sex female couples.
No. Surrogacy in WA is governed by the Surrogacy Act of 2008 and is available to single women and heterosexuals couples only. Surrogacy has never been eligible for Medicare rebates and this has not changed. We have been advised that the Department of Health did acknowledge that the surrogacy rules will be reviewed, however a notice time frame was not given.
There is no change to this. Reciprocal IVF, under our current legislation (HRT Act,1991) is not permitted. A woman, irrespective of their relationship status, can only access donor eggs if they are deemed medically infertile. We are expecting this ruling to be revoked in the pending new WA legislation.
Yes, a single woman can commence Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment (IUI, IVF) and have full access to Medicare rebates. Medical infertility does not need to be proven. However, due to the cost difference between IUI and IVF, a clinician can still opt, if clinically relevant, to begin with IUI. With appropriate quality sperm and apparent healthy eggs, pregnancy could well be achieved.
As for a single woman, if a same sex female couple utilising donor sperm (known or unknown) wish to undertake IUI or IVF treatment, they are eligible for Medicare. Medical infertility does not need to be proven Again, due to cost differences between IUI and IVF, a clinician can still opt, if clinically relevant, to begin with IUI. With appropriate quality sperm and apparent healthy eggs, pregnancy could well be achieved.
No. Only a clinician can determine whether an egg freeze is for social or medical reasons. Medical rebates are relevant to medical egg freezes only.
The treating clinician.
Unfortunately, not. When Medicare makes such changes, they are relevant from the day it is announced. Retrospective claims can’t be made.
The IVF landscape in Western Australia is dynamic. The current legislation in WA is under review and once passed with be in line with other states in Australia and be more inclusive for our LGBTQI+ community.