Options for funding IVF in Ireland
The decision to have IVF is one which takes a lot of emotional – and often financial – investment. IVF in Ireland can be available on the HSE, but there are certain conditions as to who and how you can access this. But there are also other ways that you can fund IVF treatment – including by crowdfunding. Here we take a look at the different options available.
Is IVF free in Ireland?
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to get IVF or specialist fertility treatment on HSE in Ireland. To get free IVF, ICSI and IUI treatment through the HSE, you’d need:
- A GP or consultant to refer you to a fertility hub: for this, you must either be struggling to get pregnant or have a known fertility problem. You must also have a BMI of between 18.5-35 and be under 42 for women or 59 for men.
- To meet the access criteria for free IVF: This includes residency, age, children, number of parents, relationship length, sterilization, previous IVF, BMI and lifestyle.
- Your specialist to decide you need this treatment: The specialist at the clinic will then decide if this treatment is appropriate and suitable for you.
Typical costs of IVF
If paying for IVF or fertility treatment is a route you’d like to go down, you could expect to pay on average €4,000-€5,000 per round – but also costs could go up to €10k.
It’s important to account for:
- Fertility testing: Before going ahead with IVF, it’s important that both parties have fertility testing. You should take this cost into account when budgeting for IVF. Fertility tests can cost between €100 and €400 depending on what you need to get.
- Egg freezing: An egg freezing cycle can cost up to €3000, two cycles can cost €5,500 and it will also cost more if the eggs need to be stored.
IVF grants in Ireland
If you’re looking for fertility treatment in Ireland, the Merrion Fertility Foundation was founded back in 2011 to provide assistance to those who need it. All patients attending fertility clinics at the Merrion Foundation or at the National Maternity Hospital are eligible to apply. You can view more information here.
Can crowdfunding support IVF treatment?
Another alternative if you need IVF would be to explore crowdfunding to help to pay for it. Plenty of people use GoFundMe to pay for their treatment. Because GoFundMe is a custom built crowdfunding platform, you can personalise your fundraising page with a story and pictures, which may help to articulate exactly why you’re fundraising for IVF or fertility treatment. It’s easy to circulate the GoFundMe link and people can donate when they can in a fast, safe way.
You can read more about fundraising for IVF treatment here.
Learn more about IVF fundraising
Fundraising for IVF – top tips
Here are a few top tips when it comes to fundraising for IVF treatment.
Detail your situation
On your fundraiser story, go into as much detail as you feel comfortable with about why you’re fundraising for IVF and what each donation means to you.
Include fundraising goals & treatment costs
Include treatment costs and your fundraising goal on your GoFundMe page – it shows that you’ve researched and are serious about fundraising for IVF.
Share amongst friends & family
Once you’ve started your GoFundMe, circulate the link around your family and friends. Share on any email lists, group chats, on your social media pages…
How to create your fundraiser
So if you’ve decided that fundraising for IVF treatment is the route you want to go down, it couldn’t be easier to get started with GoFundMe. It’s free, easy and safe to start a GoFundMe – so get on your fundraising journey today. All you need to do is:
- Set up your fundraising page, write your fundraising story.
- Add relevant pictures and video
- Think of a fundraising goal or target
- Get sharing!