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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Generally, In vitro fertilization (IVF) services consist of:
- blood work, ultrasounds and physician procedures (egg retrieval and embryo transfer)
- embryology laboratory services.
IVF is not an OHIP insured physician service except in the limited circumstances listed in Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act. It is only insured for the first three treatment cycles where the infertility is due to complete bilateral anatomical fallopian tube blockage that has not resulted from a sterilization procedure. A treatment cycle includes preparation, oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer.
Where IVF is insured (that is, for blocked fallopian tubes), the blood work, ultrasounds and physician procedures are insured in all hospital and non-hospital community based fertility clinics in Ontario.
When insured IVF is provided in hospital (that is, in the Mount Sinai Hospital Reproductive Biology Unit, London Health Sciences Fertility Clinic) or in the Ottawa Fertility Centre, associated embryology services are funded (in addition to the blood work, ultrasounds and physician procedures noted above). Patients cannot be charged for such services provided in those three facilities.
The ministry does not fund fertility drug costs, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or costs associated with the freezing and storage of sperm, eggs and embryos, regardless of where insured IVF services are provided.
March 2012
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