This news release has been updated to reflect the amended regulation.
The Government of Yukon is making fertility and surrogacy treatments more accessible by expanding the medical travel subsidy for eligible Yukoners. This initiative comes into force immediately and will help reduce the financial burden of travel for those seeking fertility and surrogacy treatments not available within the territory. This initiative was committed to in the 2023 Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Under expanded regulations for the Medical Travel Program, Yukoners may be eligible to have airfare costs covered and a subsidy to assist with the cost of accommodations, meals and transportation.
Given the often-high costs of fertility treatments, this subsidy is aimed at easing some of the financial barriers associated with accessing fertility or surrogacy services outside the Yukon.
Expanding medical travel coverage for fertility and surrogacy treatments is the first phase in the government’s broader plan to improve access to fertility treatments for Yukon residents. Work is underway to explore additional options to make fertility treatments more affordable, including the introduction of a tax credit for Yukoners undergoing fertility and surrogacy treatments.
The medical travel subsidy applies only to travel for fertility and surrogacy treatments undertaken after the regulation changes take effect.
For more information people can contact Shauna Demers, Director of Insured Services at shauna.demers@yukon.ca or 867-335-1534.
Regulatory amendments include the following definition of fertility treatment:
- Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization including
- Intrauterine insemination,
- Therapeutic donor insemination, and
- Cycle monitoring
- Egg (ova) sperm and embryo donation,
- Egg (ova) and sperm retrieval procedures
- Fertility preservation including
- Egg (ova) and embryo freezing and thawing
- Sperm freezing, thawing and washing, and
- Fertility preservation for age-related reasons
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
- Ovulation induction
- Superovulation
- Tubal ligation reversal
- Vasectomy reversal and
- Assessments, consultations, diagnostic and other treatments including anesthesia, ultrasound or blood tests that are required in connection with any fertility treatment listed above.
Applications for medical travel for fertility or surrogacy treatment will follow the same process as applications for insured health services.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
nigel.allan@yukon.ca
Bronte Renwick-Shields
Chief of Staff, Yukon NDP
bronte.renwick-shields@yla.gov.yk.ca