NHS IVF FUNDING

Whether or not you can have NHS funding to pay for your IVF or fertility treatment is ultimately decided by your local integrated care boards (ICBs). 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has set out a series of guidelines about who should receive NHS-funded treatment, and how much. 

Each Integrated Care Board (ICB) has a different set of eligibility criteria. They do not have to follow the recommendations provided by NICE, although many do in part. 

According to NICE, women under 40 can be offered three rounds of NHS-funded IVF treatment if: 

• You’ve been trying to pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years 
• You’ve not been able to pregnant after 12 or more unsuccessful rounds of artificial insemination, with at least 6 of the cycles using IUI.  
• If you’re a woman under 40 and you’ve had fertility tests showing IVF is the only treatment likely to help you get pregnant, you should be referred straight away. 

If you’re a woman aged between 40 and 42, NICE suggests one round of NHS-funded IVF treatment if you meet all the following criteria: 

You’ve been trying to start your family for two or more years, or have had 12 or more unsuccessful rounds of artificial insemination 

• You’ve never had IVF 
• You don’t have any problems with low ovarian reserves 
• You’re aware of the implications for over 40s and effect of your age on treatment 

However, your local ICB might also have some of their own criteria. 

If you’re a same-sex female couple, the NHS can offer funding for several rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilisation (IVF), or both. 

These recommendations aren't fully adopted and you may find the eligibility criteria or number of cycles you are funded for are different depending on where you live.