Access fertility declined

[Milo2011]

Hi all

Access just declined my multicycle donor refund programme due to partners low sperm count and sperm quality. I’m devastated as I have been matched with a donor and now have to pay the full price on each cycle! Just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience… what I don’t understand is getting declined on the basis of low sperm count! Why would we see a fertility clinic if our sperm was ok… and why the big marketing on refund programmes when they can’t offer them to couples who need it?

It looks like a tough journey again before it’s even started 🥺

[Mittenz]

Yep, similar thing happened to me. I was 36 and applied for the unlimited IVF cycle, which was declined due to my low AMH. Obviously if I did not have fertility issues I wouldn’t have applied for such a programme! Seems they only offer it to people who they know will be successful on the first or second round and therefore charging above the odds and with limited risk of them having to refund any amounts. That being said, they offered me the multi cycle option, you get 1/3 off for 2 cycles but paid upfront (£10k). I went for that and am pregnant (13 weeks) with the second transfer of the eggs collected in the first cycle. Overall I paid more than if I had just done a single cycle but I am so glad I didn’t pay the £20k for the unlimited!

I feel it’s more important to find a clinic with good success rates. For your info, I’m with CRGH on Great Portland Street.

Good luck x

[Loveelou]

sorry to hear that - I did use Access but get the impression it’s about mitigating risk to ensure they offer to people who will be successful thus not having to give a refund, rather than helping people. Having said that I have seen stories where people did not get success and got a refund. Have you considered Gaia which looks more flexible.

[Darcy1996]

sorry to hear this. Have you tried Gaia? They have criteria to meet too, but they’ve been really helpful for us. (I’m 43, partner low morphology)

[LittleBlueOwl]

My husband and I were declined too for the refund package, it was absolutely devastating. When we asked for an explanation they just gave a vague excuse about me having lower levels of AMH than expected... I wouldn't be needing IVF if everything was normal so no idea how you get approved for refund packages.

In the end we paid for the cycles we needed and it turned out cheaper than if we had paid for the refund package, so jokes on Access Fertility. They missed out on our money.

Their aim is to make money off you, they don't actually really care about helping people.

[Endofitall]

I was approved and did get a refund with low AMH - at the time my AMH was just above the threshold they’d have refused. I had no previous cycles, and my DH had normal sperm; and I was under 35. So I guess they thought quids in. But they have to make money somewhere I guess and they don’t want to take on couples they feel are high risk. We wouldn’t get one now for sure with all our failed cycles.

I’m guessing your partner’s sperm results are just outside their set criteria - they might accept milder abnormalities like they did my AMH

[SKC111]

Hello, I’m sorry to hear you were not accepted! I booked the 3 cycle 50% refund before I turned 40. My AMH was ok but my partner at the time had 1% morphology and we were accepted. I believe the final decision was with the clinic ref treatment, who said they would book us on ivf but switch to ICSI if needed. I have had one BFN cycle so far. How did you match with the donor before hand? Im interested to follow your story as if unsuccessful I want to move to DE. Wishing you all the best xxxxxx