Hello. I have a few questions that maybe someone can help me with. O.k. Here goes......

1. When it comes to IVF and Fertility Shot Treatment (Fertinex, Repronex, Humegon, etc.) does normal or typical medical insurance policies cover any of the costs of these treatments? And if they do is there any particular company (BC/BS, United Healthcare, etc.) that seems to cover more of these procedures or more likely to cover at least some of the costs?

2. Say I have normal medical insurance coverage from my job and I want to try either IVF with my own egg (which would require the shots) or with a donor egg how much does these procedures usually cost per cycle including everything, (doctor visits, blood work, actual procedure, ultrasounds, etc.)?

3. Are there any states that actually help with the financing of infertility treatments for lower income couples? And if they do are you required to have medical insurance or is it only for couples without medical insurance?

4. Does anyone know of or heard about any fertility doctor's offices financing infertility treatments (namely the shots). Like being able to pay some on the bill every few weeks till it is all payed for or do most doctors require complete payment up front?

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I would like to thank anyone who has any info on this for me. I am recently divorced and I have finally found the man of my dreams and we will one day in the next few years be married. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistence when I was 21 after being married for 2 years. When I was diagnosed my husband had insurance that covered all (very rare) of my fertility treatments. We tried clomid for a few years and nothing happened then we tried Fertinex for one cycle and I actually did finally ovulate (the one and only time in my life) but didn't get pregnant. Then soon afterward he lost his job and the insurance. Since then we have divorced and me and my fiancee have discussed all my fertility problems. I doubt we will be able to find another medical insurance that will pay for all the costs so I was wondering if there are any medical insurance companies that at least help pay some of the costs. We are just trying to find out info on all of our options. We would love to have at least one biological child and then adopt a few to. My birth mother was adopted (by family), my brother was adopted, and I have a step brother and a step sister that was adopted so I have always been all for adoption. My parents tried for 15 years to have me. My father has told me recently that my mother had all the same problems that I have so I assume that it is genetic. I also know by this then that it is possible to become pregnant and carry a child if you have PCOS since my mother did. They adopted my brother 8 years before I was born because they didn't think they would ever have children. My mother then lost alot of weight and 8 years later I was born. Anyway I am now 28 and it will still be a few years before we can even start doing anything about adoption or fertility treatments but I am still studying and trying to keep up with what is going on in these areas. I wish everyone luck with their families and thank you for any help you can give me.

Sarah

[BrandyHagz]

It isn’t so much the carrier; it’s the employer that would have more bearing.

Most companies negotiate the coverage’s when setting up insurance benefits, this is why when something isn’t covered, they refer you back to your plans administrator.

My husbands company uses Blue Cross Blue Shield. They cover three full sessions of IVF, all fertility drugs and a couple of other things; I can’t recall right off the top of my head. The only limitation is you have 2 years…if you get pregnant, great…but after the two years, the benefit is no longer available, even for a second child. My husbands company also offers an astounding adoption benefit.

Wanna know why?

The president of Human Resources suffered from infertility for a number of years, and went on to adopt.

A lot of the answers you will get about the cost will vary a lot because of location.

As far as financing goes, there are companies out there that finance medical procedures, but it is a credit line, and you will have to pay interest, sometimes very high interest rates. You’d most likely get a better rate refinancing your home, or doing a home equity loan/line of credit, if you’re a homeowner.

Our company was self-insured during our trmts, and very hostile attitude in general about anything "unnatural" like IVF. Total cost to get our 2 boys: well over $50,000.

Adoption would have been so much less -- each adoption would have meant $10,000 in our pockets. Zip for anything we did. All because our HR top executive adopted, and was so pro-adoption and not anything else. UNFAIR!!

In Indianapolis, it's cash up front if they know you don't have coverage. Same with the Rx.

Sometimes there would be little notes in the bathroom at the clinic if people had left-over Rx meds they were wanting to sell, but no way would I have trusted that personally.

Mayo Clinic (Minnesota) where we went for the donor egg program had a cash up front policy, also. Remember, even with donor eggs, YOU have to be regulated with shots, probably, too, so not much cost savings by using donor eggs if that's your intent. That pregnancy actually cost us MORE.

[Joni2]

I haven't heard of any states that offer IVF for low-income couples. Some states require that IF treatments be covered by insurance, and it might be worthwhile to consider moving. Just double check the employer - there's a "weasel" clause that if they're self insured, they don't have to cover IF.

[eternal]

Hi Alex-
One of the problems is there is no such thing as "normal" medical insurance. Every plan and every employer is different. Basically, the employer chooses which benefits to offer all its employees. A lot of times they do that based on price. So, two BCBS plans could have wildly different benefits.

Some doctors do offer payment financing or payment plans where you pay a set amount each month. Usually you need excellent credit, and they charge interest, so it may not be the best option. Others offer a "guaranteed" IVF plan where you pay slightly more (usually for a package of 3 cycles) but if you don't have a child, your fees are refunded. A lot of couples like this becasue then they can use the refund for adoption.