B.C.’s new publicly funded IVF program generates mixed review, calls for long-term expansion

B.C. is one month into a new program that’s financially supporting some patients through costly in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, to better their odds of having a child.

Fertility clinics say interest is high – but with limited funds, some are already calling for the program’s expansion.

“We were like 2,280th in place last time I checked. So there’s still an option where we might not even get picked,” says Paige Leader.

She and her husband, Tyler Fik, are trying to grow their family with the help of infertility specialists. They were referred to Olive Fertility Centre in April, after trying to conceive a child for more than a year.

“It’s hard. The whole process has been hard,” says Fik.

Should they need it, they’re hopeful for a chance at public funding for one-round of IVF in a new system that feels like a lottery – and one they wish came with greater transparency upfront.

“(I) wish they would have just come out plain: This is what’s going on. You’re going to be in a queue. This is the money bracket. This is funding. This is everything,” says Fik.

The Abbotsford couple joins a growing list of people seeking referrals and financial support through B.C.’s IVF program.

Vancouver Island’s only full service clinic, Olive Fertility Centre Victoria, says it added two physicians and administrative staff to its team in anticipation of patient demand ahead of the program’s launch this month.

“It seems to be going really well,” says clinic manager Tammi Reid. “They’re fielding calls. They’re applying on behalf of patients. So operationally on the island, we’re ready for patients.”

People may qualify for one standard IVF cycle, including treatment and medication, if it’s been recommended by a fertility specialist, the person is 41 years of age or younger (or turned 42 between April 1 and July 2 of this year), and the applicant or applicants have a pre-tax income that’s less than $250,000. The funding eligibility depends on which category applicants fall under – ranging from $19,000 in coverage to $4,750.

“It really is about giving assistance to those no matter how they want to build their families,” says OFC’s medical director Dr. Niamh Tallon. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a single woman wanting to buy donor sperm and do IVF or if you’re part of a LGBTQ group that are looking to expand family.”

Tallon was on the province’s expert advisory group to develop the program’s details, since the NDP government announced it was earmarking $68 million in funding in the 2024 budget.

“The heartbreaking part of this is it’s first come, first served since the announcement was made in March of last year, March 8. What if you were seen on March 7 and you walked away and you don’t come back until today? Well, you’re behind everyone else from March 8 til now. But we have to start somewhere,” says Tallon.

It’s still possible Tyler and Paige won’t need IVF in their hopeful journey to parenthood. The newlyweds say their physician is recommending a different procedure first, while preparing for the possibility of IVF.

“If we get accepted, we’re not getting the full amount,” says Paige.

“There’s so many things that you’re trying to save up for and then you take such a hit doing this. And yes it is worth it in the end to have a child. That is our main goal and stuff like that,” says Fik. “Any help is better than no help.”

The province isn’t making any long-term promises. B.C.’s Ministry of Health issued a statement saying: “We know IVF is a costly process which presents barriers to individuals and families who need support on their fertility journey. That’s why we created B.C.’s first ever, publicly-funded IVF program.”

Staff aren’t saying how much of the funding has been used.

The ministry says it’s “carefully” reviewing the demand for the program and will share more at a later date.

Tallon says she would love to see the program expand to include other gaps, such as fertility preservation.

“I hope that we can show the Ministry of Health and the B.C. government that this is important and there’s a much bigger demand than what we are able to cover right now,” she says.