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Health Insurance for IVF
Health Insurance for IVF
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Dr Jill GambergCompare Health Insurance Policies
Save time and effort by comparing a range of Australia’s health funds with iSelect
What is IVF?
Long story short
IVF costs can put a strain on your wallet
The average cost of an IVF cycle ranges from $9,000 to $14,000 before rebates. Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your treatment and clinic.
Medicare and private health insurance can help
Medicare covers part of IVF costs, while private health insurance can cover hospital stays and theatre fees.
Not all IVF services are covered
Outpatient services like consultations, scans, and some medications aren’t covered by private health insurance.
Waiting periods apply for private health insurance
Most health funds require a 12-month waiting period for IVF coverage.
What is IVF?
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It is generally considered a pre-existing condition and as a result is subject to a 12-month waiting period when it comes to private health insurance.
Infertility can be caused by a wide range of factors, ranging from genetic and medical reasons to surgical or trauma-related causes, affecting either the male or female, or both partners. In some cases, there is no known cause.
In challenging situations like these, many hopeful parents turn to assisted reproductive treatments (ART), which are services designed to help treat infertility. These treatments include the procedure known as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
IVF is defined as an assisted reproductive treatment in which fertilisation of an egg occurs outside of the body, by adding sperm from the male partner or a donor.
Is IVF covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers a proportion of the costs associated with a cycle of IVF.
In Australia, some of the costs of IVF services are covered both by Medicare and private health insurance policies. Your fund will likely cover the cost of hospital accommodation and theatre fees associated with these procedures, but there can also be significant out-of-pocket costs (the difference between the Medicare benefit and the amount charged by the clinic).
Is IVF covered by private health insurance in Australia?
Yes, certain policies include some cover for IVF. Not all health insurance policies cover all IVF treatments, and those that do may vary in terms of which services are covered and to what extent.
To be covered for assisted reproductive treatments (including IVF) under your private health insurance, you will need a higher level or tier of hospital cover. According to the Commonwealth Ombudsman of Private Health Insurance, assisted reproductive services are primarily included in gold hospital policies, but some insurers may also include them in lower-level policies – although this is rare.
Before embarking on any IVF services, it’s important to understand if your policy covers IVF and if so, exactly how your health insurance plan works when it comes to IVF.
What IVF services does health insurance typically cover?
When it comes to IVF and assisted reproductive treatments, only in-patient services that have a valid Medicare item number are eligible for a benefit from your health fund. (An in-patient service is where you’re formally admitted to hospital as a private patient.)
Unfortunately, this also means that outpatient services are usually not covered by private health insurance, nor are IVF services that don’t have a Medicare item number.
If assisted reproductive services are covered by your policy, and you’ve served your waiting period, your fund will likely cover the following:
assisted reproductive treatments listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
in-patient embryo transfer procedure
the cost of hospital accommodation and theatre fees associated with the egg collection (egg pick-up, oocyte pick-up (or OPU), or egg harvesting)
fees charged by the anaesthetist and treating doctor (though you may have to pay part of the medical fees yourself – this is the gap fee, usually charged above the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee).
There are many components to assisted reproductive treatments, with some services taking place outside of hospital (i.e. as an outpatient) which means they will not be covered by your private health insurance. These services include:
consultations with your clinic and doctor
scans and ultrasounds
certain diagnostic procedures
pathology services.
While some of these services may be covered to some degree by Medicare, others will be out-of-pocket expenses you’ll have to cover fully yourself. In addition, there are also costs involved with egg transportation, testing, and freezing which you may need to pay yourself.
IVF drugs are another component of IVF treatment, and not all of them receive a Medicare benefit. IVF-related drugs that aren’t covered by Medicare include the following:
Lucrin
Provera
Synarel
Orgalutran
Progesterone pessaries
Some health funds might cover some of the cost of certain IVF drugs, so make sure you’re aware of what benefits your fund may pay towards the IVF drugs required for your treatment.
If assisted reproductive services are covered by your policy, and you’ve served your waiting period, your fund will likely cover the following:
assisted reproductive treatments listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
in-patient embryo transfer procedure
the cost of hospital accommodation and theatre fees associated with the egg collection (egg pick-up, oocyte pick-up (or OPU), or egg harvesting)
fees charged by the anaesthetist and treating doctor (though you may have to pay part of the medical fees yourself – this is the gap fee, usually charged above the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee).
There are many components to assisted reproductive treatments, with some services taking place outside of hospital (i.e. as an outpatient) which means they will not be covered by your private health insurance. These services include:
consultations with your clinic and doctor
scans and ultrasounds
certain diagnostic procedures
pathology services.
While some of these services may be covered to some degree by Medicare, others will be out-of-pocket expenses you’ll have to cover fully yourself. In addition, there are also costs involved with egg transportation, testing, and freezing which you may need to pay yourself.
IVF drugs are another component of IVF treatment, and not all of them receive a Medicare benefit. IVF-related drugs that aren’t covered by Medicare include the following:
Lucrin
Provera
Synarel
Orgalutran
Progesterone pessaries
Some health funds might cover some of the cost of certain IVF drugs, so make sure you’re aware of what benefits your fund may pay towards the IVF drugs required for your treatment.
Helpful tip
Assisted Reproductive Treatment including IVF can be a great help to couples who are trying to conceive, but it can also be a long and challenging process. A skilled and compassionate fertility specialist can make all the difference, since they can help provide emotional support as well as expertise.
Seeking recommendations from your physician, your friends and support groups can be a fine starting point for finding a great specialist. It’s also a good idea to check if your insurer has a ‘no gap’ arrangement with certain specialists, since this can reduce any additional, out-of-pocket costs.
Dr. Jill Gamberg
GP, Coach, and Lifestyle Medicine Physician
How much does IVF cost?
The costs depend on what kind of treatment you receive, which will be unique to each couple or hopeful parent who wishes to conceive a child with the help of assisted reproductive treatments.
According to Monash IVF, the average fertility treatment service can range between $9,000 (for a single IVF cycle) to $14,000 (if you use a frozen embryo and need to treat male infertility).1Monash IVF – What IVF costs are covered by private health insurance? Please note that these costs are estimated by Monash IVF before any rebates are applied.
IVF could include different treatments. Here are some of them – including patients’ out-of-pocket costs in 2023–24.
| Treatment | % of patients across Australia paying out-of-pocket | Amount patients typically paid |
| Egg retrieval – first cycle | 80% | $6,000 |
| Egg retrieval – each cycle after the first | 79% | $6,000 |
| Oocyte retrieval | 59% | $320 |
| Frozen embryo transfer | 76% | $2,000 |
Source: Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 13200, MBS item 13201, MBS item 13212, MBS item 13218
Note: These are the amounts patients typically paid for these services, rounded to the nearest dollar. They do not include hospital payments such as excesses, co-payments, or other payments. These fees may vary depending on your situation. Not all patients had out-of-pocket costs; those who didn’t aren’t included in these figures. Data retrieved September 2025.
If you’re not sure how much you’ll need to shell out, don’t worry – before you’re admitted, your hospital should inform you about the costs (and get your sign off before going ahead with the procedure).
The out-of-pocket costs vary depending on the required treatment, which clinic you attend, and whether you’ve reached the Medicare Safety Net threshold. So it’s essential to understand what you’re covered for if you’re considering IVF treatment. Check with your insurer and have a good read of your private health insurance statement (PHIS).
Are there other out-of-pocket costs for IVF?
Medicare covers a chunk of your fertility treatment, but private health insurance can help take the edge off those out-of-pocket expenses. It’s especially handy for covering some IVF costs that Medicare doesn’t include.
Counselling and emotional support
IVF can be emotionally challenging, and counselling or therapy can really help. Some clinics include in-house support (albeit short-term) as part of the cycle fees, while others might refer you to external services – especially for long-term support if you’re no longer in active treatment.
Medications
Medications like progesterone may be prescribed to support early pregnancy. Progesterone can be subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), but it’s a good idea to check with your clinic as well. For instance, some clinics apply an up-front cycle cost of approximately $30 per script.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that works by stimulating energy flow in the body using tiny needles. It’s said to boost blood flow to the uterus, help with ovulation, and reduce stress – though there’s little proof it improves fertility. Also, down the line if the IVF cycle is successful and you’re pregnant, some acupuncturists say that it can help manage pregnancy symptoms and even help bring on labour if bub’s overdue.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy focuses on improving overall health to address the root causes of issues, including fertility. A naturopath may suggest lifestyle changes or natural remedies to support your wellbeing.
Herbal medicines and supplements
Herbal medicines are plant-based and come in many forms, but they can be potent. It’s worth checking with your GP or fertility specialist before taking them, as some herbs might interfere with fertility or medications.
Are there ongoing costs after IVF?
Beyond the procedure itself, IVF can come with ongoing costs. Some of these might be included in your cycle fees, while others could be extra costs.
Pregnancy-related costs
If the IVF cycle is successful, first of all – congratulations! You’ll transition to standard pregnancy care, which includes regular check-ups, ultrasounds, and tests. These costs vary depending on whether you choose public or private care.
Specialist consultations
After IVF, you may need follow-up appointments with your fertility specialist to monitor progress or address any complications, although these might already be included in the cycle costs. It’s a good idea to check with your clinic.
GP visits
General practitioners may be involved in post-IVF care, especially for referrals or managing early pregnancy.
Ultrasounds and blood tests
These are usually needed to confirm your pregnancy, and they could already be part of your cycle costs. However, as your pregnancy progresses, scans and bloods might be extra – especially if you’re going private. If you’re using public pregnancy care, these are often free. But some tests – like non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) – will still come out of your pocket.
Additional IVF cycles
If the first cycle is unsuccessful, you may need to budget for additional cycles or frozen embryo transfers. These can come with their own set of costs.
What waiting periods apply to IVF treatments?
Health funds that cover IVF treatments will generally apply a 12-month waiting period to assisted reproductive services.
After you’ve completed 12-months of membership on your policy, you’ll be eligible to receive the benefits that apply to IVF treatments.
Note that a benefit limitation period is a feature included by some hospital cover policies, which refers to an initial membership period during which only a minimal benefit is paid for certain treatments.
This period can range from one to three years and may apply to IVF treatments – so be sure to check your policy for more information before proceeding with treatment.
Is it worth getting private health insurance for IVF?
This is a common question for anyone considering IVF, and ultimately only you can answer it.
Private health insurance can help cover some of the costs associated with IVF, like hospital stays for egg retrieval or day surgeries. However, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the premiums you’ll pay and the waiting periods you might need to serve before being eligible for coverage.
If you’re planning ahead, private health insurance could be a good way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. But if you’re already in the middle of your IVF journey, it might not provide immediate savings due to those waiting periods.
What can help lighten the mental load and financial burden is doing a bit of homework. Compare policies, check what’s covered (and what’s not), and consider speaking with your health fund, alongside your clinic, to see how to make the costs feel a bit more manageable.
Finding health insurance for IVF
IVF is already a challenging journey, and taking the time to explore your options can help you feel more in control and supported along the way.
iSelect makes it easy to compare a range of policies and providers, so you can find a health fund that gives you the cover you need. Call our friendly team on 1800 784 772 or explore policies online to learn more about health insurance for IVF.
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