British Columbia’s publicly funded in vitro fertilization program is expected to begin accepting applications on Wednesday.
The initiative was announced last year and will pay up to $19,000 for one round of IVF for patients covered under B.C.’s Medical Services Plan.
It was originally supposed to take applications on April 1, but was delayed.
The province has previously announced that anyone undergoing treatment must be between the ages of 18 and 41 and must get their fertility doctor to apply on their behalf.
Some experts have said that the cutoff at 41 years old is too young.
The B.C. government said applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
“For those wanting to start a family, barriers to conceiving a child can have a profound effect on people,” Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said in a statement.
“Empowering people in becoming parents sometimes means specialized supports are needed and B.C.’s new publicly funded IVF program will help more people on the path to parenthood.”
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Funding will depend on household income, the province said, and greater support will be provided to those who need it the most.
Households with a pre-tax income of $100,000 or less will be eligible for the full $19,000, with benefits phasing out for households earning more than $250,000, according to the province.
“The novel funding program in British Columbia has drawn from the pan-Canadian experience, stakeholder input and expert opinion to craft a very thorough and progressive model, which has the ability to change, scale and expand as shifts occur in the needs of our population,” Dr. Ken Seethram, managing partner at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine said.
“The program of provincial IVF funding will open doors for patients who could not otherwise access IVF care and create san environment where infertility treatments can start quickly, restoring hope and promise to those in need.”
B.C. will deliver the program through Olive Fertility Centre, Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, and Grace Fertility and Reproductive Medicine.
For those who need to travel, the Travel Assistance Program will help alleviate some of the transportation costs for those eligible B.C. residents receiving IVF treatment as part of this program.
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