Reimbursement of in vitro drugs - frequently asked questions

IVF treatment is a process that consists of several steps. One of these is the use of drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles containing egg cells. These drugs are usually expensive, but many can be obtained through IVF drug reimbursement. In this article, we answer questions about who is there reimbursement for IVF drugs?

To ensure an optimal chance of pregnancy during the IVF procedure, so-called Controlled Ovarian Stimulation is used. The correct adjustment of the pharmacology makes it possible to obtain a larger number of mature follicles, which contain oocytes (egg cells). The higher the number of oocytes retrieved, the higher the chance of obtaining healthy embryos, which directly translates into an increased probability of success for the IVF procedure.

Scope of in vitro reimbursement - programme criteria

From 1 June, infertile couples in Poland can take advantage of the the Ministry of Health's free programme.

The government's IVF programme includes:

In addition, the programme provides refunds cryotransfers for couples with frozen embryos from previous procedures and for the first time, the programme also includes preservation of fertility patients with oncological diseases. It provides both women and men - full funding for medical procedures (oncoplasticity).

• qualification of couples and compulsory testing;

• all the necessary parts of the in vitro fertilisation procedure;

• unlimited consultations with a psychologist;

• storage of embryos until the end of the programme (31 December 2028).

As part of the IVF programme, on 1 July 2024 an extended reimbursement of in vitro drugs.

Reimbursement of IVF drugs applies to patients who qualify for the Programme.

Where are the applications for in vitro reimbursement?

Applications for IVF reimbursement are available at clinics that have qualified for the Programme. All Invimed clinics - in Wrocław, two in Warsaw, as well as in Cognitive, Gdynia and Katowice- are participating in the IVF Reimbursement Programme. This means that from 1 June 2024, patients can contact clinics and enrol in the Programme. The reimbursement covers the full IVF procedure, including the reimbursement of medicines.

InviMed clinics provide patients with access to the Programme enrolment process and the necessary documents. To enrol, please:

• fill in the form on the website using the option "Contact us today",

• in the mobile version (on a smartphone), the form is located under the 'Write' button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

Consultants will contact you within 24 hours (on working days) of your request to arrange an appointment.

Who is entitled to reimbursement for IVF drugs?

Who is entitled to reimbursement for in vitro drugs? Reimbursement of in vitro drugs is available to all couples who have met the eligibility criteria for Government Treatment Programme in vitro. It covers all ovarian stimulation cycles carried out under the Programme to prepare for the IVF procedure. In addition, the previous reimbursement rules still apply, i.e. drugs used by patients outside the Ministerial Programme can also be reimbursed. The appropriate choice of drugs depends on effectiveness of in vitrobut mostly used preparations are covered by reimbursement.

For a couple to be eligible for the government's IVF Programme, they must be married or cohabiting. Age restrictions also apply: the woman must be up to 42 years old on the date of eligibility if using her own ova or sperm donation, and up to 45 years old for procedures using oocyte and embryo donation, while her partner must be up to 55 years old.

It is also crucial that the couple has had documented or unsuccessfully treated infertility in the 12 months prior to applying for the programme.

Which IVF drugs are covered by reimbursement?

From 1 July 2024, drugs used to stimulate ovulation in the as part of the government's in vitro support programme are covered by reimbursement.

These preparations are divided into three categories:

• Gonadotropins - sex hormones;

• Drugs used in hormone therapy - gonadoliberin (GnRH) analogues;

• Pituitary and hypothalamic hormone-releasing hormone antigonadotropins.

The extension of reimbursement, covering patients eligible for the in vitro infertility treatment programme, applies to the following drugs: Elonva, Fostimon, Bemfola, Puregon, Ovaleap, Mensinorm, Menopur, Gonal-f, Rekovelle, Gonapeptyl Daily, Gedeon Richter's Ganirelix, Cetrotide and Orgalutran.

Who is entitled to reimbursement of IVF drugs? Reimbursement of IVF drugs is available to all couples who qualify for the IVF Support Programme.

What is the cost of IVF drugs without reimbursement?

Reimbursement of in vitro drugs means being able to purchase the drugs needed for the IVF procedure at significantly lower than market prices.

How many times can IVF drugs be reimbursed?

Refunded IVF drugs can be given to patients qualified for government programme for infertility treatment by in vitro method. Reimbursement can be used as many times as the number of cycles patients will have under the Programme.

The programme offers up to six assisted reproduction procedures, including up to four cycles using your own reproductive cells or sperm donation, and up to two cycles using donor eggs.

Reimbursement of in vitro drugs Both the drugs used to stimulate ovulation in the IVF procedure and the progesterone preparations that are administered after embryo transfer are covered.

Currently, outside the Programme, reimbursement of IVF stimulation drugs is also in place and applies to a limited number of three cycles per woman. This reimbursement covers patients who meet the age criterion (up to 40 years of age) and have adequate hormonal test results - AMH levels above 0.7 ng/ml or FSH levels below 15 mlU/ml on days 2.-3 of the cycle.