Before April 1, affordable IVF treatment was out of reach for women like Carly, a Melbourne mother of one. In 2022, as a single mother, Carly started the long and costly process of qualifying for subsidized IVF under Medicare. To prove her infertility and become eligible for a government rebate, Carly spent $10,000 on two unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures at age 37.
But a significant change in Medicare’s definition of “infertility” has now made IVF more accessible. The updated rules extend coverage to single and LGBTIQ+ women, allowing them to access subsidized IVF without needing to prove infertility first. Carly, reflecting on the old process, said, “I had to complete two IUI cycles to be deemed infertile before commencing IVF with rebates. It was shocking, especially in this day and age.”
Before the change, Carly’s two failed IUI treatments, costing her more than $10,000, were necessary for her to qualify for the IVF rebate. The emotional and financial toll of the failed procedures added to her stress, especially as she was nearing 39. “I didn’t have limitless money or time,” she said. “You’re going through so much emotionally and physically.”
Thanks to the IVF rebate, Carly’s out-of-pocket expenses were reduced by around $6,000. She gave birth to her son, Rylan, six months ago, after only one round of IVF. “If I didn’t have the rebate, a second try may not have been an option,” Carly said, glad that future solo mothers won’t have to endure the same process.
Similarly, Queensland mother Rikki faced a financial struggle when she decided to skip the IUI process and pay nearly $20,000 out-of-pocket for IVF treatment. At 33, Rikki had saved for years to afford the treatment, believing she’d be eligible for a Medicare rebate. “I pay taxes, I have private health, I’ve always done all the right things, yet I wasn’t covered,” she said. Now raising 18-month-old Jasper, Rikki is relieved that the new policy will lower the financial barrier for other single mothers.
Alisha Burns, founder of the Solo Mum Society, also praised the change. “It’s long overdue,” she said, noting that the updated Medicare definition acknowledges there’s no one “right” way to start a family. Burns, who went through multiple rounds of IVF as a single woman, expressed how disheartening it was to be required to “prove” infertility when the only thing missing was a partner.
The policy shift also benefits the LGBTIQ+ community, which has long advocated for equal access to fertility treatments. Ashley Scott, Executive Officer of Rainbow Families, celebrated the change as a “massive win” for the community. “We’ve heard from the community about the discrimination they face when starting a family using IVF,” Scott said. “This announcement is a huge step forward in ensuring that LGBTIQ+ people are treated equally.”
The updated rules mark a significant milestone in making IVF more inclusive for all women and LGBTIQ+ individuals, offering a brighter future for those seeking to start a family.
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