How Long Is the Wait for Funded IVF in Ontario?

Last checked: October 28, 2026

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of trying to grow your family, and many people in Ontario hear that funded IVF comes with a long wait list. Waits can differ from one clinic to another, sometimes by many months. At the moment, Tripod does not have a wait list for funded IVF, so eligible patients can move forward as soon as they’re ready. This article explains why waits vary, how to check any clinic’s current wait, and what the first steps look like at our Toronto clinic. We keep it up to date and show the date we last checked at the top.

Why wait times differ between clinics

There is no single provincial queue for funded IVF. Each clinic in the Ontario Fertility Program manages its own funded cycles, so your wait depends on the clinic you choose.

The province pays clinics for a set number of funded cycles. When more eligible patients ask a clinic for a funded cycle than it can offer, that clinic builds a wait list. A busy clinic can have a long list while another clinic nearby has none, and a clinic’s wait can change through the year.

So, a figure you read online or hear from a friend who had treatment a few years ago may not match what a clinic can offer you today.

Tripod’s wait for funded IVF today

As of October 28, 2026, Tripod Fertility does not have a wait list for funded IVF. If you’re eligible, you can move forward with treatment as soon as you’re ready.

There are still a few steps before your cycle begins: assessment tests, a consultation to develop your personal plan with your specialist, and the funding application, which our team submits for you. How long those take depends on your test results and your own timing. Your specialist will give you a timeline at your consultation.

We check our wait regularly and update the date at the top of this page each time.

How to check a clinic’s current wait

If you’re comparing clinics, ask each one how long its wait for a funded IVF cycle is right now. Any clinic should be able to tell you. Check whether that figure is the wait to join the list or the wait to start your cycle, as the two can be quite different. If a clinic publishes its wait online, look at when it was last updated.

It’s also worth checking that the clinic is enrolled in the Ontario Fertility Program, since only enrolled clinics can offer funded treatment. If there is a wait, ask what you can do in the meantime. Some testing can often be done early, so you’re ready when your turn comes.

Who qualifies for a funded cycle

You may qualify for a funded IVF cycle if you live in Ontario with a valid health card (OHIP), you’re under 43 when treatment begins, and you haven’t already used your one funded IVF cycle.

The program covers one cycle per person, plus one more if you’re acting as a surrogate. ICSI, anesthesia and the transfer of every viable embryo from that cycle are included. Medication, some tests such as genetic testing, and egg, sperm and embryo storage are paid separately. Our article Funded or Private IVF in Ontario sets out what those cost at Tripod.

Getting started with Ontario-funded IVF at Tripod

There are four steps:

• Assessment. This includes a blood test and ultrasound so we can understand your fertility. If you’ve already had baseline testing elsewhere, send your reports to our referrals team so they can be reviewed at your first appointment.
• Personalized plan. You meet your fertility specialist to go through your results and plan your treatment cycle.
• Funding application. Our team submits your eligibility to the Ministry of Health, and you sign a consent form for the funding before your cycle begins.
• Your funded IVF cycle. We guide you through each step, including how to take your medication, your timeline and what comes next.

You can refer yourself using the form on our website, and our team will be in touch to book your first appointment. Your doctor can also refer you through our Physician Referrals page or through OCEANMD referrals. If you’re interested in funded IVF, say so on your referral as our referrals team gives those referrals priority. Physician consultations are covered by OHIP.

Find out more about funding and how to apply on our Funding page.