In addition, Fertility First is the only fertility Unit that routinely screens for sperm DNA damage in all of it’s male patients. If increased damage is detected, we have also invested in a new laboratory and technology to assess directly how this damage can be best corrected. Doing so, increases the likelihood of conception occurring after a simpler, easier, and therefore less expensive, treatment or in 30% of cases natural conception can occur in our experience.

Sperm DNA damage, if not corrected prior to use in assisted reproductive treatments, as well as reducing the chance of pregnancy, can also lead to an increased risk of miscarriage by 3 to 4 times and even more disturbing, an increase in the incidence of disease and childhood cancers in the resulting children,* further increasing your emotional as well as financial costs.

80% of the men attending Fertility First detected with abnormal DNA fragmentation as a result of increasing age and lifestyle factors have a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in sperm chromosomal damage, if they follow our corrective program. Modification of IVF treatments can correct the rest.

Following is a current list of our treatment costs:

*Lewis S and Aitken R. DNA damage to spermatozoa has impacts on fertilization and pregnancy Cell and Tissue Research 2004; 322: 33-41
*Rochebrochard et al, Likelihood of conception following IVF is halved for women 38 to 40 years if their partner is aged 40 years or older. Fertil Steril; 85:5 May 2006

An administration representative will explain our Financial Consent Forms with you before starting treatment. In order to claim your full entitlements from Medicare you must have a current referral, this will enable you to claim on your consultations and treatment cycles. Day Surgery is subject to your level of health cover.

MedicarePlus Safety Net

Families should register for the safety net, Medicare will keep a total of your out patient expenses and once you reach that threshold you are entitled to receive a refund of 80% of out of pocket expenses for the rest of that calendar year.

Visit www.hic.gov.au or phone 132011.

Additional Costs:

There will be some additional costs and the following is a guideline of those.

• Pre-diagnostic tests
• Additional Drugs if prescribed
  
• Day Surgery
  
• General Anaesthetic if required
  
• Cyro-storage of Embryo and Sperm
  
• Donor Sperm

Comparison with other Sydney units:

Fertility First has been able to hold it’s fees at the same rate for the past 17 months. Unfortunately, the increases in goods and services supplied to us mean we need to increase our fees from 14th July for those not already booked on for treatment – one laboratory item has gone from $89 to $1000 for example. Please find below our new fee structure prior to Medicare Safety Net rebates. As you see it still compares very favourably with the other Sydney Fertility Units without any compromising of your care or likelihood of falling pregnant.