Doctors predict mini baby boom before in vitro fertilization falls off medicare list
MONTREAL — Quebec fertility specialists are predicting a mini baby boom in the coming months as women rush to undergo in vitro fertilization before the procedure is no longer covered under medicare.
In 2010, Quebec became the first jurisdiction in North America to cover IVF, an assisted reproductive technology. The program grew quickly in popularity, but the initial budget of $ 30 million soared to $ 70 million last year.
Under Bill 20, expected to be enacted next spring, IVF would be delisted, except in circumstances where doctors freeze the eggs and embryos of women who are later treated for cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. Bill 20 would continue to cover the cost of artificial insemination.
The proposed bill would also
A lot of couples still don’t know of this new law and so when they do find out we’re going to get a rush of patients wanting to do their cycles right away. DR. KAREN BUZAGLO OBSTETRICIAN- GYNECOLOGIST AND FERTILITY SPECIALIST
place restrictions on women seeking to conceive, even going so far as to regulate a period of sexual relations between a couple ( to prove they have tried) before attempting artificial insemination, and then IVF.
“I expect there to be an increase, and we are making contingency plans to cope with the anticipated increase,” said Dr. William Buckett, interim director of the Reproductive Centre of the McGill University Health Centre.
Dr. Karen Buzaglo, an obstetrician-gynecologist and fertility specialist at the private Clinique OVO, also predicted a surge in IVF.
“Absolutely,” she said. “A lot of couples still don’t know of this new law and so when they do find out we’re going to get a rush of patients wanting to do their cycles right away.”
Gloria Poirier, executive director of the Montreal- based Infertility Awareness Association of Canada, warned of possible months- long waiting lists in the new year.
“There will be a lot of upset people who will find themselves on waiting lists because there will suddenly be too many people seeking IVF as an option,” she said.
The predicted spike in IVF cycles before Bill 20 comes into effect will probably be followed by a gradual drop at the end of 2015 and through 2016, as low- income couples realize the procedure is no longer covered under medicare and they can’t afford it, experts said.
By that point, the Montreal area’s eight fertility clinics will find themselves with excess capacity, raising the prospect that one or two might close.
The MUHC Reproductive Centre is the largest fertility training facility in the country. Buckett pointed out that even with Bill 20’ s adoption, the reproductive centre would still be carrying out research, artificial insemination, the freezing of eggs and ovaries as well as government- covered IVF in certain circumstances.