I am sure I don’t need to tell you, but IVF is expensive.
Because I am choosing to be a solo mum, by choice, even though I have Endometriosis I do not qualify for any attempts on the NHS, locally. I always knew that IVF was going to cost me.
I knew that the process and rough prices of IVF and knew that this pricing did not include things such as Sperm or Medication costs. I struggled with the costing of things which is why I investigated adoption to start with. I knew that despite paying out for IVF, it’s not a guaranteed pregnancy.
My clinic gave me their prices (which are on the websites for a lot of clinics too) so I knew a rough cost – but also I was given information for Access Fertility and Assured Fertility.
Basically, both Assured and Access offer multi-cycle IVF or ICSI packages, and some of them are “refund” or “unlimited” packages too.
Having Endometriosis with 3 surgeries, and previous LLETZ treatment on my cervix to treat CIN3 I did not personally think that I would be approved for one of the refund packages, and I didn’t want to go through potential additional testing to be rejected for it – so I decided that regardless I was going to do one of the Multi-Cycle packages – and I would hope that by the end of it I would be pregnant – so wouldn’t need a refund.
I spoke to both Access and Assured last year and decided that I would be going for one of the packages when I was at the point to move forward with my treatment.
When it came to the time, I called them both again and spoke to them at length about what was covered, what wasn’t covered etc.
Access told me about all the plans, and then told me what wasn’t included, sent me over an email and I’ve not heard from them
Assured told me about all the plans and then told me what was included, and what wasn’t included. Things such as HFEA fees etc and then mentioned I could pay via card or bank transfer, whereas I could only pay via bank transfer with Access.
Not only this, but Holly, who I spoke to sent me over a contract for me to look over and read and followed up to see if I had any further questions.
I’ve chosen my multi-cycle package with Assured, based on how they were on the phone to me. Holly was so lovely, and it really was a massive help to have the paperwork sent over to me for me to look over and to be able to pay by card if required. Even though they are working from home they’re going into the office to take card payments on their secure system.
Knowing exactly what was and wasn’t involved meant that hopefully I wouldn’t end up with any nasty surprises, and although I’m sure Access do the same, it wasn’t told to me in the way that made me feel reassured.
Different people have different experiences.
I was having issues with the online link for signing the contract with Assured, so a few emails back and forth between Holly and I, and she then called me to try and rectify it – the IT guy needed to get involved but she called me to let me know it was fixed and she’d emailed me. She then got in touch with my clinic to make sure they’d accept me on it – and then she called me again the day after to confirm things were good to go. I was in the car with my mum at this point (I was parked up!) and even my mum said how lovely she sounded on the phone. One invoice and fully paid up later – I’m all ready for my Multi-Cycle to start!
For the Multi Cycle I get 2 Fresh IVF cycles & Frozen Embryo Transfers. If I am so lucky to have a baby after my first IVF cycle then, I will have paid a little over-the-odds than paying for one-cycle, but if I don’t like many women, It is a more cost-effective option.
I still have sperm, and medication to purchase on top of this pricing but this is just how things – and I’ve accepted it.
Someone mentioned about how much money I was spending to “get what I want” and I said, “yes, it’s a lot of money – but people wouldn’t think twice about spending more on a new car”.
I’m glad my clinic has the option for both Assured and Access Fertility – and I would recommend people looking into it for themselves.
Solo Mum Overload 