| Q1: |
When will public funding for IVF come into effect? |
| A: |
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Yves Bolduc, announced that public funding for IVF will come into effect as of August 5, 2010.
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| Q2: |
How many cycles can I get under the new Quebec law? |
| A: |
The system will cover three stimulated cycles of IVF (per pregnancy), producing multiple ova and multiple embryos, and the transfers of the produced embryos, one by one. On the other hand, for natural cycles or modified natural cycles (such as IVM) which generally produce a single embryo, the system will cover up to six cycles.
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| Q3: |
Can I pay for treatment after August 5, 2010? |
| A: |
Private IVF treatments will not be permitted under Quebec law after August 5, 2010 for eligible Quebec residents. Exceptions will be made for patients who have already undergone three government funded cycles and are no longer eligible, and for out-of-province patients, who wish to pay for treatment. The government will continue to offer a 50% tax rebate for non-eligible patients paying for additional treatment.
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| Q4: |
Can I still pay for treatment between now and August 5, 2010? |
| A: |
The McGill Reproductive Centre will no longer take any payment from eligible Quebec residents. Refunds will be issued for those who paid for a treatment that was not started before August 5, 2010 (see Q6 for details)
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| Q5: |
If I have started my treatment prior to August 5, 2010, will the government reimburse me? |
| A: |
The Government of Quebec will not reimburse treatment retroactively. The government does however offer a 50% tax rebate.
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| Q6: |
Can I get a refund from the McGill Reproductive Centre? |
| A: |
You may be eligible for a refund from the McGill Reproductive Centre (MRC) if your treatment has NOT started by August 5, 2010.
Refund criteria:
- Patient is a Quebec resident with a valid RAMQ medicare card
- Patient has paid for 1 cycle and did not start treatment before August 5, 2010
OR
- Patient has paid for a 3-cycles package on or after August 5, 2009, has not started any cycles or has completed only 1 cycle before August 5, 2010, and did not get pregnant.
Please note: Patients who are eligible for a refund do not lose their priority as a current patient.
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| Q7: |
Will a waiting list exist after August 5, 2010? |
| A: |
It is hard to predict how many people may wish to register for the new program, but demand at MRC is expected to be high, particularly in early stages of the program prior to other centres becoming functional. Waiting lists for patients not currently in treatment do not currently exist, but may need to be organized according to RAMQ policies. The MUHC is working with the government in order to determine how best to manage wait lists and assign priority after August 5, 2010. Further details will be added on our website as they become available.
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| Q8: |
Can I get on a waiting list for government-funded IVF treatment? |
| A: |
Waiting lists do not exist for government-funded IVF treatments at this time. The MUHC is working with the government in order to determine how best to manage wait lists and assign priority after August 5, 2010. Further details will be added on our website as they become available.
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| Q9: |
Who will get priority for the new publicly funded IVF program? |
| A: |
Under the current system (prior to August 5, 2010), priority is given to patients who are already undergoing treatment. The MUHC is working with the government in order to determine how best to manage wait lists and assign priority after August 5, 2010. Further details will be added on our website as they become available.
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| Q10: |
In my signed consent form, I agreed to a 3-embryo transfer. Can I still have this? |
| A: |
The MRC will be bound by the RAMQ policy concerning the number of embryos transferred, which as of August 5, 2010, is one embryo per transfer (for both, private or government funded, cycles).
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| Q11: |
Will IVF medication be covered by the government? |
| A: |
Yes, IVF medication will be covered by the government as of August 5, 2010.
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