Index
General  |  Costs  |  Support

General

Do I need a referral from anyone?
Yes, you will need a referral from your doctor. The referral will need to have both yours and your partner's names.

How long does the initial consultation take?
The initial consultation will take at least one hour. You should also allow extra time as you may need to have blood tests and see a nurse to have a discussion about your treatment plan.

Is there an age limit for treatment?
Not necessarily. Dr DeAmbrosis'  decisions are based on an individual assessment of each patient.

I have PCO and weight problems: will Dr DeAmbrosis still see me?
Yes. Dr DeAmbrosis has considerable experience with PCO and understands the problems associated with trying to conceive with PCO.

Are same sex couples welcome?
Yes. Dr DeAmbrosis is popular amongst same sex couples wishing to start a family.

Will I need time off work during my treatment?
Dr DeAmbrosis sees patients who are in a cycle six days per week, starting at 6am. This allows patients to have tests and scans before work. IVF patients will require a small amount of time off work at the time of egg pickup and embryo transfer.
Dr DeAmbrosis understands that fertility treatment can be emotionally and physically demanding. As a result Dr DeAmbrosis tries to ensure his services and treatments are as convenient and minimally disruptive as possible.

 

Costs

Are any of the fees covered by Medicare?
Most of the services related to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are in part covered by Medicare. That means Medicare will pay part of the cost of your treatment cycle. There are also rebates that fall under the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN).

For more information visit  www.humanservices.gov.au  or call 132 011.

The Safety Net provides additional rebates for large medical bills which for IVF patients provides significant financial support. A higher rate of rebate is achieved once you have reached the Safety Net threshold for that particular calendar year.

It is important to make sure you are registered for the Safety Net before beginning treatments to ensure you receive the highest financial rebate.

As treatments are tailored to suit individual circumstances, it is difficult to detail precisely what the final out of pocket (your costs) expenses will be in any given cycle. However once your level of treatment has been determined we can help with cost breakdown and advice regarding possible out of pocket expenses.

Does Private Health cover contribute?
This very much depends on the level and type of private cover you have. In many circumstances private health may cover some fees such as Day Theatre / hospital fees and anesthetist fees.
You should check with your private insurer if you have any questions.

Support

How can I get more information about fertility issues?
We have many handouts and information pamphlets relating to all types of fertility issues, treatment availability, and resources. In addition there are many books and resources available to patients through our QFG support and Nurse Coordinators, and access to their service is included as part of a patients treatment. The links provided in this site may also be of value to you.

Is counselling available?
All patients have access to trained and qualified counsellors and this service is generally provided free of charge to patients. Our counsellors are either a Psychologist or Social Worker trained in the skills needed to help you cope with fertility and reproductive loss and grief.

What about Donor programs?
We have access to Donor Embryo, Donor Egg and Donor Sperm programs, both locally and internationally. You can find some additional information here:

> Find out more about QFG Donor Program