How to Apply for Government-Funded IVF in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're an Ontario resident considering IVF, there's a good chance the government will cover a significant portion of the cost. Ontario's Fertility Program (OFP) provides one funded IVF cycle per eligible person; and at Pollin Fertility, there is no waitlist. Most eligible patients begin treatment within four to six weeks of their first consultation.

But actually navigating the process; figuring out whether you qualify, what's covered, what isn't, and how to get started, isn't always straightforward. The information is spread across government pages, clinic websites, and fertility forums, and much of it is vague or outdated.

This guide walks you through every step, in order, with the specific details you need to act on today.

Step 1: Check Whether You're Eligible

The Ontario Fertility Program has four eligibility requirements. You must meet all four at the time of treatment:

1. Ontario residency with a valid OHIP card

You must be a resident of Ontario with an active Ontario Health Insurance Plan card. There is no minimum residency period specified, but your OHIP card must be valid.  Expired or out-of-province cards will not qualify.

2. Under 43 years of age

You must be under 43 at the time your funded IVF cycle begins. If you turn 43 during your cycle, you remain eligible;  the age requirement applies at cycle start, not cycle completion.

‍3. You have not previously used a government-funded IVF cycle

The program provides one funded cycle per person, per lifetime. If you used a funded cycle at any clinic; even years ago, even if it was unsuccessful, you are not eligible for a second funded cycle. However, if you acted as a gestational carrier (surrogate), you may be eligible for an additional funded cycle for your own family-building.

4. IVF is clinically appropriate for your situation

Your fertility specialist must determine that IVF is the right course of treatment for you. This is assessed during your initial consultation. The program covers IVF for all forms of infertility; medical and non-medical, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or relationship status. Single individuals, same-sex couples, and patients requiring donor gametes are all eligible.

Not sure if you qualify?

If you're close to 43, have a complicated medical history, or aren't sure whether you've previously used a funded cycle, the fastest way to find out is to book a consultation. Your initial fertility consultation at Pollin is covered by OHIP, so there is no cost to confirm your eligibility.

Step 2: Book Your Initial Consultation

Your funded IVF journey starts with a consultation with a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility (REI) specialist. This is the appointment where your doctor reviews your medical history, orders initial testing, and confirms whether IVF is the right treatment path.

At Pollin, your initial consultation is covered by OHIP. You pay nothing for this appointment.

Do I need a referral?

A physician referral is required in Ontario to see a fertility specialist. If you already have a referral from your family doctor or OB/GYN, you can book directly. If you don't have a referral, Pollin arranges one for you through our partner clinic. It takes minutes, not weeks.

How to book

• Online: Book through our website: www.pollinfertility.com/booking or via the Pollin App
• By phone: 416-342-3552 (Toronto), 613-903-0552 (Ottawa)
• In person: 

Toronto: 2360 Yonge St, 2nd Floor, Toronto (Yonge & Eglinton)
Ottawa: 303 Moodie Dr, Suite 100, Ottawa

Pollin also has satellite monitoring clinics in Markham, and Sudbury for patients outside the GTA.

Step 3: Complete Your Fertility Assessment

Before your funded IVF cycle can begin, your care team will complete a series of diagnostic tests. These typically include:

• Blood work: hormone levels (FSH, LH, estradiol, AMH, TSH, prolactin), infectious disease screening, and blood type
• Transvaginal ultrasound: to assess ovarian reserve (antral follicle count) and uterine anatomy
• Semen analysis: if a male partner is involved in the cycle
• Additional tests: depending on your history, your doctor may order a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), saline sonogram, or genetic screening

Most of these tests are covered by OHIP. Results are typically available within one to two weeks, and your doctor will review them with you before proceeding.

‍Step 4: Your Clinic Submits the Funding Application

Once your doctor has confirmed that IVF is the appropriate treatment and that you meet eligibility criteria, Pollin submits your funding application to the Ontario Ministry of Health on your behalf.

You do not submit the application yourself.  The clinic handles this entirely. There is no separate government form to fill out, no website to register on, and no approval wait at a government office.

Processing time varies, but at Pollin, most applications are processed quickly and patients can begin their cycle within weeks of approval. There is currently no waitlist for funded IVF at Pollin.

Step 5: Begin Your Funded IVF Cycle

Once your funding is approved, your IVF cycle begins. Here's what's included in your funded cycle at Pollin:

‍What the Ontario Fertility Program covers

• Initial consultation and medical assessments
• Cycle monitoring (bloodwork and ultrasounds throughout your stimulation)
• Egg retrieval procedure
• Fertilization (conventional IVF or ICSI)
• Embryo culture and assessment
• Fresh embryo transfer OR embryo vitrification (freezing)
• All subsequent frozen embryo transfers (FET) if your cycle produced multiple embryos

What is NOT covered (your out-of-pocket costs)

These costs are your responsibility, though many are eligible for tax credits:

• Medications and fertility drugs (~$6,000-$8,000+) for cycle and embryo transfers
• Egg, sperm, or embryo shipping/storage 
• Donor sperm or egg costs
• Psychological or social work counselling
• CHLOE™: AI Embryo Assessment & Quality Report
• Optional/add-on lab tests (e.g., PGT-A, PGT-M, EMMA/ALICE, etc.)
• Advanced lab tools and technologies
• Partners or donor services without OHIP coverage

Important: Medications are the largest out-of-pocket expense. Many private insurance plans and employer benefits cover a portion of fertility medications. Pollin's patient care coordinators can help you navigate your coverage.

Step 6: Claim Your Tax Credits

Ontario and Canada both offer tax credits that can significantly reduce your remaining out-of-pocket costs:

For a detailed breakdown of what qualifies, see our complete guide to fertility tax credits in Canada. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my funded cycle at any fertility clinic in Ontario?

No. Only clinics that have been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Health to participate in the Ontario Fertility Program can offer funded cycles. Pollin Fertility is an approved OFP clinic.

Is there a waitlist for funded IVF in Ontario?

It depends on the clinic. Some clinics have waitlists of several months to over a year. At Pollin Fertility, there is currently no waitlist for funded IVF. Most eligible patients begin treatment within four to six weeks of their initial consultation.

What happens if my funded cycle doesn't work?

The Ontario Fertility Program provides one funded cycle per person. If your funded cycle does not result in a pregnancy, subsequent cycles would be at your own cost ($14,600 per cycle at Pollin). However, if your funded cycle produces additional frozen embryos, frozen embryo transfers (FETs) may offer additional opportunities to conceive at a lower cost (all embryo transfers are included in your funded cycle with the exception of the cost of medications that may be required).

Can same-sex couples and single individuals access funded IVF?

Yes. The Ontario Fertility Program covers IVF for all forms of infertility — including non-medical infertility. Single individuals, same-sex couples, and patients requiring donor gametes are all eligible, provided they meet the four eligibility criteria outlined above.

Does OHIP or the Ontario Fertility Program cover egg freezing?

Elective egg freezing is not covered by the Ontario Fertility Program. However, medically necessary fertility preservation; for example, before cancer treatment, may be eligible for partial coverage. Your initial consultation to discuss egg freezing is covered by OHIP.

Can I switch clinics during my funded cycle?

If you have started a funded cycle at another clinic, switching mid-cycle may affect your eligibility. Speak with both clinics before transferring care. If you have not yet started your cycle, you can use your funded cycle at any approved OFP clinic.

What if I'm 42 — should I act now?

Yes. Eligibility requires you to be under 43 when your cycle begins. If you are approaching 43, time is a factor; book your consultation as soon as possible to ensure you can complete the eligibility process before your birthday. At Pollin, the process from first consult to cycle start is typically four to six weeks.

Your Next Step

If you're an Ontario resident under 43 who hasn't used a funded IVF cycle, you are likely eligible. Your first consultation is covered by OHIP — there is no cost to find out.

*This article is for informational purposes and reflects the Ontario Fertility Program as of November 2026. Program terms and eligibility criteria are set by the Ontario Ministry of Health and may change. Your fertility specialist will confirm your individual eligibility during your consultation.*