Austria lowers co-payment for IVF treatments from 30 to 25 percent

Who is eligible for funding?

Eligible are couples, with a maximum age of 40 for the patient and 50 for the partner. Up to four attempts per couple are funded. On statistical average, according to the ministry, a woman needs 1.7 attempts to become pregnant.

An IVF treatment in Austria costs between 3,000 and 5,000 euros. The reduction in the co-payment reduces the couples' own contribution accordingly. The previous share of 30 percent means between 900 and 1,500 euros in co-payment depending on treatment costs; in the future, it will be 750 to 1,250 euros.

For the fund, the expansion is expected to mean additional expenses of 1.6 million euros. This sum flows into the direct subsidization of treatments by the fund. The funds come from the budget of the Family Ministry.

Costs and relief

With the reform, the government is responding to the rising costs of reproductive medical treatments that have continued for years. The prices for IVF in Austria have risen significantly since the fund was founded, which has posed financial challenges for many couples. Bauer spoke of a signal to affected families to decide on a treatment earlier.

At the same time, the ministry emphasized that the medical requirements for funding remain unchanged. In addition to age, these include health factors. Applications continue to be submitted through the treating physicians and the hospitals that cooperate with the fund.

According to the ministry, the reform will come into force in the coming weeks. Bauer also announced that the impact of the co-payment reduction would be evaluated after one year. Should demand rise more sharply than expected, further adjustments are conceivable.

History of the fund and outlook

The IVF Fund in Austria is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Since its founding, according to the Family Ministry, several tens of thousands of children have been born who would not have come into the world without the financial support of the fund.

The opposition criticized that the relief comes too late and is not sufficient to offset the rise in treatment costs. The reduction in the co-payment is a first step but must be continued in the coming years. An expansion to more than four attempts was also demanded.