[alfowler]

I have 25,000 lifetime infertility coverage. We have waited 11yrs for ins coverage and now that we have it it looks as though my ovaries are not going to cooperate. We know we cannot afford to do an egg donor cycle but maybe embryo adoption/donation. I hate to not try everything we can with the coverage we have but I wonder what all we would have to pay for out of pocket? Anybody got any idea?
I know all my meds are covered and I think the FET would be covered. So how much is it to actually get the embryo's? And what kind of process is it?

[Ready2bMama]

I think it depends on the program you're in. If you go through your local reproductive endocrinologist, you may either have it completely covered, or not pay very much. If you go through an agency, like Snowflakes or NEDC, or Bethany Christian Services, then you're going to still have to pay for things like the homestudy etc.

[hopprn]

We are doing embryo donation through RE. Besides the meds, and actual FET. It is going to cost us $3000 for administration fees(include matching, genetic workup from donor. etc) (not covered by insurance). The process was actually very easy through RE --no homestudy, they called us with a donor profile, and we accepted. The whole program is totally anonymous, the donor couple does not know us and we do not know them. So if you are uncomfortable with complete anonymity (sp?) you would need to go through an agency. If you have any more questions let me know.

[p00lbys]

We also used embryo donation through our RE's office. We only had $2,500 coverage for IF through our insurance. We were surprized that they covered alot more than we thought. We paid a program fee of $1000 and about $2000 more out of pocket. Ours is also anonymous and we are currently 18 weeks pregnant with twin girls!
It was a very easy process!! We adopted our son from Guatemala and that was much, much more difficult! But of course worth all of it!
Anymore questions let me know!!
Good Luck!

Laurie

[alfowler]

Does it require a lot of paperwork like adopting? What kind of stuff do they check? Do they do a home study and check your financials? How long of a process is it?

I live in Greenville SC and I don't think the two Re offices we have here do embryo donation/adoption but we are not that far from Atlanta. Does anybody know of any there?

[hopprn]

Through RE office- no homestudy, no paperwork, no financial check, only paperwork was consents. We were matched immediately, but I know there is a wait list at some RE offices. Check this link for clinics in your area and other states who have Embryo donation. Clinics Directory

[Deker]

It depends on whether you use and adoption agency or a clinic. Adoption agencies cost about 12-16K because you have to pay for your home study, post-placement reports and education classes PLUS the cost of transfers and medicine. Fertility clinics cost about 2-5K per transfer, including the medicine.

The whole process is basically a frozen embryo transfer. They prepare your body with the medicine, next they thaw the embryos and finally they transfer the ones that survive and are in good quality. You will wait two weeks later to know whether or not your pregnant.

[goferret]

I'm also exploring the costs. Wouldn't there also be lawyers fees? We called three different lawyers and they ranged from $250/hour to $350/hour. The first one said there would be a $1500 retainer we would pay up front. If you want your children to be able to know their siblings as they are growing up you could explore MiraclesWaiting.org The only cost is $100 for placing an ad and there are no home study fees and you can be matched with donors who are looking for open adoptions. We were approached by two donors. I really like the idea of open adoption for the best interests of our potential children to know their relatives. Instead of a "family tree" they will have an orchard! Best wishes on your search.

[Breen31806]

We are hopefully doing private embryo adoption/donation. Our clinic will receive the embies and the cost for the transfer is only $2500, meds about $300, attorney fee to draw up legal documents $200 and shipping is about $500.

We have no homestudies, financial checks or anything and are actually meeting the couple in August.

[goferret]

Breen31806, I was really impressed by your post especially that the legal contract is only about $200. After talking with adoption lawyers DH came up with estimates that start at $1200 or so. Maybe we're looking in the wrong place for legal help. Where are you getting the legal contract drawn up? We have a donor I met through Miracleswaiting.org and I'm just starting the process of arranging the transfer and legal work. Do you know yet what drugs you will have to take and how long you'll take them to prepare for the transfer? Thanks! and much ! Kari

[kblythe]

I have an almost one-year old through embryo donation. I went through my clinic, and it cost around $3,500. There were no "administrative fees." The money was spent for ultrasounds, meds (just lupron, estrace, progesterone, etc. No expensive fertility meds), and the FET. I had to pay for a psych consult, but no attorney fees. The donor couple signed a practice form relinquishing their rights to the embryos and I signed a form accepting the embryos and I believe agreeing not to seek out the donor couple. It was pretty painless.

k.

[30andstillwaiting]

I just found out about this and i feel totally out of the loop. I am excited to talk to my DH. He knows that I want a child more than anything and all my sisters think that I am crazy but I want that whole morning sickness and tired feeling that they all enjoyed at least 2x. I need more research so if anyone has any info i'd greatly appreciate it. I didn't realize you could even do it at the doctor without an agency. I need to see what my ins. will do and all that stuff. thanks so much for the info

[Kit-Kat30]

30andstillwaiting - I found my local clinic that offers embryo adoption "in-house" on embryoadoption.org under their finding help link. We have our first appointment with the RE at this clinic to discuss this program. They do it via annonymous donation, so it may be "easier" than open donation through some of the embryo donation organizations (snowflakes, etc.).

I will let everyone know what my clinics fees are, but they have to be less than traditional adoption. My god, who has $30,000 + for that stuff?

Good luck on your journey and for us all.

[goferret]

My husband and I agreed that we want our embryos to have the opportunity to know their siblings as they are growing up. We did not like the anonymous donation idea for the sake of our children. We feel it is important for them to have the opportunity to know their siblings. We like the idea of an extended family and that you can basically pick your "relatives". The family donating to us likes this idea, too, and we plan to get together once a year or so for reunions (if we are successful!)