Using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to start or add to a family is a big financial decision. Provincial funding for IVF varies dramatically across Canada, with only four provinces offering free treatments, discounts or tax credits related to the procedures themselves. But even with these credits and discounts, IVF can still be costly. To cover the on-going, expensive treatments, you’ll need to have some savings on hand – and have access to financing options.
Read on to learn about financing options for IVF treatment in Canada.
How much does IVF cost?
In Canada, the cost for one single course of IVF treatment is between $10,000 and $15,000, however some treatments can extend up to $20,000 if there are exceptional factors at play. Since IVF isn’t always successful after the first course of treatment, several attempts may be needed, possibly doubling, tripling or even quadrupling the total cost.
While some private insurance plans may cover a portion of your fertility treatment costs, and there may be provincial or territorial coverage, discounts or tax credits, there are likely still going to be expenses that you’ll need to cover yourself. Be sure to check how much you’ll be responsible for paying after taking into account any deductibles, insurance coverage or government support.
Compare personal loans you can use for IVF
Representative example: The Smiths get IVF
John and Kelly are doing their first round of IVF treatment. When they take government grants, credits and private coverage into account, they will still need to cover $6,000.00 out of pocket (with the total IVF treatment costing $10,000.00). With $2,000.00 in savings, the couple will need to seek financial assistance in the form of a personal loan. Since they’ve both got excellent credit, the Smiths head to their bank and are approved for a $4,000.00 loan with a low interest rate and a one year loan term. Although the loan comes with an origination fee of 3.00%, the loan total is still cheaper than other loan offers they’ve prequalified for.
Cost of IVF treatment
$6,000.00
Loan type
Personal loan
Loan amount
$4,000.00
Interest rate
5.00%
Loan term
1 year
Additional fees
Origination fee of 3.00% ($120.00)
Monthly payment
$342.43
Total loan cost
$4,229.16
*The information in this example, including rates, fees and terms, is provided as a representative transaction. The actual cost of the product may vary depending on the retailer, the product specs and other factors.
How can I pay for fertility treatment?
Some fertility centres provide patients with payment plans, allowing you to break up the cost into more reasonable monthly payments, sometimes free of interest. Check with your centre to see what they can offer you in terms of financing plans.
Unsecured personal loans don’t require collateral, while secured loans require that you offer an asset as collateral in order to get a lower rate. While this can be helpful, you’ll lose your collateral should you default on your loan. Personal loans can usually be used toward just about any legitimate purpose, including IVF treatments. The interest rate you secure will be based on the lender, your loan type (secured vs. unsecured), your ability to make repayments and your credit score.
Some non-profit and charitable organizations offer interest-free financing for couples who are looking for fertility treatment. These loans are often small, however, so one might not be enough to cover all of your expenses. These types of loans may have additional eligibility requirements, such as a maximum income restriction in order to qualify.
Credit cards usually have much higher APRs than personal loans. However if you don’t qualify for a loan or you’re looking for an additional way to cover treatments, applying for a low interest rate credit card can be a good idea. Since APRs on credit cards are high, you’ll want to try to pay off your balance in full each month.
Depending on the province or territory you reside in, you may be able to receive some kind of coverage, free treatment or tax credit. Before you start treatment, find out what kinds of assistance you can receive provincially and federally.
Is IVF covered in my province or territory?
IVF coverage varies widely across Canada. Browse the table below to learn more about funding in your specific province or territory. Note that you can’t just apply to a neighbouring province if there’s better coverage. You need to live and work in a specific jurisdiction to access services.
The tables below give an overview of funding as of November 2019. While testing is often covered, only four provinces offer financial assistance for IVF itself: Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. Before making decisions, keep up to date with coverage in your province or territory of residence.
Province/Territory
What’s covered?
What’s not covered?
Tax credits offered
Alberta
Infertility testing and some surgeries.
IVF or similar treatments.
No
British Columbia
Some tests and some infertility surgeries.
IVF or IUI (Intrauterine insemination).
No
Manitoba
Infertility testing and some surgeries, as well as a portion of IVF costs.
IVF or similar treatments not fully covered.
40% of treatments covered, including IVF. Residents can claim up to $20,000 in eligible costs for a maximum credit of $8,000.
New Brunswick
Infertility testing and some surgeries, as well as a portion of IVF costs.
IVF treatment is not fully covered.
Yes. A one-time grant allows you to claim up to 50% of costs up to $5,000.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Infertility testing and some surgeries.
IVF or costs associated with IVF treatments.
No
Northwest Territories
Infertility testing, surgical procedures and out-of- province diagnostic services.
IVF or costs associated with IVF treatments.
No
Nova Scotia
Infertility testing and some surgeries.
IVF treatments.
No
Nunavut
No data available. Contact a clinic for more information.
No data available. Contact a clinic for more information.
No data available. Contact a clinic for more information.
Ontario
Infertility testing, minor surgeries and one IVF cycle per eligible patient per lifetime. One additional IVF cycle if the woman is a surrogate and unlimited cycles of AI. Those with medical or non-medical infertility, as well as single people and same-sex couples are eligible for government-funded IVF treatments.
Repeated IVF treatments and fertility drugs, which typically cost around $5,000 per cycle. Genetic testing and storage of eggs, etc. is also not covered.
No
Prince Edward Island
Consultations. Other covered services are unclear. Contact a clinic for more information.
IVF or similar infertility treatments.
No
Quebec
Consultation, infertility testing and surgeries. Partial return of money via tax credits. Claim up to $20,000 in eligible expenses per year, with a maximum credit of 80% (depends on household income). Credit is applicable for one IVF treatment for women under 36, and two treatments for women 37 and over.
Repeated IVF cycles.
Access between 20-80% of expenses reimbursed via tax credits, depending on household income.
Saskatchewan
Infertility testing and some surgeries.
IVF or costs associated with IVF treatments.
No
Yukon
Infertility testing, some lab exams, ultrasounds and surgical procedures.
Should I use a loan to pay for fertility treatment?
Since most IVF costs aren’t covered by insurance or public health and you may not have enough savings on hand, you might want to consider taking out a personal loan to cover some of the costs.
A loan can be a good idea if:
Your insurance doesn’t cover all of your treatment costs and associated expenses.
You’ve taken advantage of any provincial or territorial programs.
Before opting for a personal loan, consider all of your options including in-house financing, borrowing money from friends and family, community grants and government assistance programs.
Benefits of using a personal loan for IVF
Some of the benefits include:
Makes paying for IVF easier. IVF is incredibly expensive and taking out a loan breaks up the cost of IVF into more manageable chunks, making it easier to afford with bi-weekly or monthly repayments.
You don’t have to wait. Loans allow you to get IVF right now, rather than waiting until you’ve saved up enough money for the treatment. You can usually get approved for a loan within a day or two.
A range of loan options. Depending on your eligibility, you may have a range of financing options available to you, including secured and unsecured loans. Secured loans can score you lower rates, but you’ll have to offer up collateral – which can be lost should you default on your loan.
Reasonable terms and rates. Many loans come with flexible repayment terms and competitive interest rates so you can borrow affordably and pay back faster without getting into a spiral of debt.
What to avoid when taking out a personal loan
When you take out any kind of loan, you should be aware of the following:
High interest rates. Some loans can come with unreasonably high interest rates, resulting in you paying more in interest over the life of your loan. If you have a low credit score, expect to pay a higher interest rate.
Hidden fees and charges. Before getting a loan, read the terms and conditions carefully to look for any fees you might be charged. These can include application fees, administrative fees, prepayment fees and late fees.
High monthly payments. Make sure you choose a reasonable loan term that gives you monthly repayments you can afford – but not so long that you end up increasing the cost of your loan.
Borrowing too much. Only borrow exactly what you need since you’ll be paying interest on the amount you borrow. Some lenders will offer you more than you actually request, so only take what you need.
How to apply for a personal loan
Depending on the lender, you may be able to apply for a personal loan online, over the phone or in-person at a branch. Before applying, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the necessary documents on hand. You should be able to apply for your loan within ten minutes or less.
Eligibility requirements
The criteria can vary between lenders, however you’ll usually need to meet the following:
Be 18 years of age or the age of majority in your province or territory.
Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident with a valid Canadian address.
Have a working bank account.
Have a steady source of income.
Meet any necessary credit score requirements.
Necessary documents
When filling out the loan application, you’ll need to provide some personal information, including:
Contact details such as your full name, phone number, email address and residential address.
Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Income and employment information.
Details of debts and assets.
Frequently asked questions
This depends on the province or territory you live in. Some provinces offer the first treatment free of charge, while others don’t or will offer a discount. If you need more than one treatment, which is usually likely, you’ll likely have to pay for it.
This is not likely. Some clinics have IVF refund programs, but they also often require full payment before you begin treatment. You’ll need to ask the clinic before you start the process.
No, you can typically only get treatment in your province or territory of residence.
Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog.
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