We are delighted to announce that Merrion Fertility Clinic has been selected as an approved provider for publicly funded advanced fertility treatment services by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
We would like to express our gratitude to all Merrion Fertility Clinic team members, both past, and present, who have contributed their expertise, dedication, and unwavering support in advocating for public funding to make fertility treatments accessible and affordable to all. Without your efforts, this achievement would not have been possible.
We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to working closely with the HSE and other healthcare providers to ensure the seamless provision of advanced fertility treatment services to those in need.
What is the HSE Publicly Funded Fertility Treatment Scheme?
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides publicly funded fertility treatment to eligible couples who are experiencing difficulty trying to conceive.
When is the publicly funded fertility treatment available?
The publicly funded fertility treatment will be available from September 25th.
How do I access these fertility services?
The first step is to visit your GP. If you meet the access criteria, your GP can provide advice on fertility issues, do some initial tests, and then refer you to one of the six regional fertility hubs (depending on your address), for further tests and investigations.
Where are the regional fertility hubs located?
- Dublin – National Maternity Hospital, Rotunda Hospital and Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.
- Galway University Hospital
- Cork University Maternity Hospital
- Nenagh General Hospital as part of Limerick University Maternity Hospital
What is the eligibility criteria?
Please click on the following link for full details on the access criteria.
What happens at the regional fertility hub?
After your consultation at the regional fertility hub, if you meet the necessary eligibility requirements, your Consultant will refer you to an approved private fertility clinic of your choice. The Private Fertility Clinic will be responsible for the next part of your fertility journey and treatment.
Some couples may not need to be referred as treatments provided in the hubs will manage their fertility challenges.
What fertility treatments are funded?
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) x 3
- One In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment cycle and should you have embryos in storage from this cycle it would also include all subsequent Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) up to pregnancy and live birth.
- Gamete Storage
Are there any fertility treatments that are not currently covered under this funding?
- Treatment using donor gametes
- PGT ( Preimplantation genetic diagnosis)
- Egg Freezing
What if I’m not eligible?
The team here at Merrion Fertility Clinic is here to support you in finding alternative options.
- Merrion Fertility Foundation – a charity that provides financial assistance to those who require assisted fertility treatment and who are unable to afford it.
- Humm Finance – provides our patients with options to finance fertility treatment fees. We know that fertility treatments are expensive, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Humm to provide our patients with an easier way to pay for their treatments. With this new payment plan, you can spread out the cost of your treatments over up to 36 months, making it more affordable and less stressful for you.
- VHI – we are on the panel with VHI and the benefit is given by the clinic at the time of payment. Therefore, the patient does not need to pay the full amount and reclaim the benefit later. We also provide receipts for you to claim if you are with another healthcare insurer.
- Tax Relief – You can claim tax relief on IVF treatment, please refer to the following link for more detailed information.
- Drugs Payment Scheme – Medication used as part of fertility treatment is covered under the DPS (drugs payment scheme).
The HSE said it will be actively monitoring and reviewing the demand on this service, and reviewing patient needs both in collaboration with its six regional fertility hubs and with the network of HSE-approved private fertility clinics.
