do I still qualify for IVF/ICSI after a privately funded cycle

Former Member over 3 years ago

1 reply
43 subscribers
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hello

i was a cancer patient (male) at UCLH and nearby McMillan center in 2015

i was treated for T-CELL A.L.L which left m me infertile (azoospermic)

in 2019 we applied for IVF through our GP and was referred to a hospital which began their preliminary tests

until the point of being told these results. we then waited for 2 years to get these results to no avail

as a result we opted to try a privately funded cycle of ICSI which did not work.

we since re applied for a NHS cycle of ICSI through a different hospital

when we went to the appointment with this new hospital where we were told that due to us having already paid for one cycle we no longer qualify for the NHS funded one

so my question is: as I was a cancer patient that had my fertility taken away by the NHS do i still qualify for one or more cycles of ivf regardless?

they currently have my semen stored at the hospital which is funded NHS, so why would they be willing to fund that but not the cycle?

thanks

Carole F - Macmillan over 3 years ago

Hello MrLee,

Thanks for getting in touch, and welcome to our online community.

I can appreciate you would like to know if it is possible to have IVF treatment funded by the NHS, after self-funding a cycle.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to answer this because we don’t know whereabouts in the UK you are.

NHS funding for fertility treatment varies depending on where you live. In England for example, you may be entitled to one, two or three cycles of IVF on the NHS (or in some places, none). In some areas self-funded cycles of IVF are taken into consideration, and in other areas they are not. There can also be differences in what’s considered a cycle.

Although the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have produced guidance on this, it’s Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England who make decisions about funding.

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment. They say that the commissioning of fertility services is a very complex area. From their website, you might be able to find your ICB on a list, and then contact them for information, or search for their policy online.

We’d also recommend speaking to your GP as they should be able to confirm what funding you are entitled to.

I’m afraid it’s also difficult to answer your question about sperm storage costs, as this too can vary depending on whereabouts in the UK you are. The NHS often provides sperm storage for people who have been affected by cancer. But in some areas of the UK, you may have to pay for it.

There’s a bit more about this in our booklet, ‘Cancer and fertility – information for men’.

I hope this has been helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch here, or on the Support Line, if you’d prefer to talk to one of our nurses.

It might be helpful too, to post your questions in one of our online forums. Our Life after Cancer group is for people who have finished treatment, and can be a good source of information and support.

Sending best wishes,

Carole

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.

Ref/ HM

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do I still qualify for IVF/ICSI after a privately funded cycle