Integramed or ARC?

kellyrn · 03-22-2008, 06:10 PM

Has anyone used these? They both seem pretty similar. I have read that Integramed is better than ARC? I'd like to hear from anyone who has used one of these companies and if they have found it helpful. The clinic that I'm looking at doesn't use either. I guess they have their own (I'm still waiting on info from them). Just wondering if it's worth going to a clinic that offers it. However, I don't want to compromise with a clinic that has lesser success rates just b/c they do offer it

HELP!

eli · 03-22-2008, 06:31 PM

I used ARC in the year 2000. I did the 3 IVF/partial money back guarantee program. At that time it was 25,750.00. My first IVF ended up working, so I did pay that entire amount for one IVF. Still, it gave me peace of mine. We knew we could try 3 times and get some money back if it didn't work. It was incredibly scary thinking of paying out of pocket for all that and ending up childless and penniless. Of course, in hindsight, if we had just paid out of pocket, we could have gotten off MUCH cheaper. I don't regret a thing. We made the best decision we could at the time. ARC was very nice and very helpful. I am sure there are better deals to be had, but I have no complaints at all. Good luck!

kellyrn · 03-22-2008, 06:42 PM

Thanks! One thing I don't get, is this for people w/o insurance only?

MelAnne · 03-22-2008, 08:43 PM

I think these programs (ARC and Integramed) are geared towards people who either don't have insurance for infertility, or have very little coverage. My DH and I used ARC, and I think the biggest difference is that they have a refund program for one, two and three cycles but you do have to qualify. I think that integramed only has a three cycle program, but I'm not 100% sure, maybe someone can confirm that. I think ARC is a good program, from my point, and their office has been wonderful to work with. My representative was Kristin and she was so understanding and definitely on the ball with her follow ups. I would highly recommend them if your doctor is part of their group.

eli · 03-25-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyrn

Thanks! One thing I don't get, is this for people w/o insurance only?

I don't believe it is for people with no insurance. I think they would be happy to take anyone on, as long as you qualify. I had insurance, but it didn't cover IVF. It did cover alot of other things.

jojo329 · 04-03-2008, 05:11 PM

Our insurance only covers diagnosis and treatment of underlying problems. Some insurance covers the "monitoring" part of it - like the ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc. Some insurance covers the meds. So, unfortunately, Integramed never includes meds. They do have programs with monitoring and without monitoring, though. You can choose based on which will work best for you. Our clinic is 3 hours away, so we're doing Integramed's 3 fresh/3frozen cycle plan with ICSI without monitoring. So, I can do the u/s and b/w at my regular OB up until ER time.
I hope this helps!

kellyrn · 04-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Thanks JOJO!!!

shell1976 · 04-04-2008, 07:03 AM

I found this web site for loans for infertility treatments. FirstAgain.com. Has anyone ever used this or heard of them. I e-mailed them and they did give me a number to call if I need to. I am just wondering if this is real, I don't want to fall for a scam! Thanks!

Blakey · 04-20-2008, 07:39 PM

Hi everyone-

Question in regards to the integramed program. DO you have to be a certain age to qualify? Last month we just went through our 3rd IVF/ICSI cycle, and we weren't successful.

We are going to try again...but we are paying out of pocket for all of our treatments. Our Ins. is under my DH, which covers bloodwork, and monitoring with u/s- and picks up some of the meds. but not the actually treatments, so we are still paying thousands.

We are looking into options for our future cycle..but are afraid we won't be able to afford a DE cycle. I have heard from some women that it can range from 20-30k- which is just impossible for us to do. Just wondering about these programs.

thanks for any info.

jojo329 · 04-21-2008, 06:27 AM

Unfortunately, Integramed age cutoff is 38. BUT if you use DE, I think they will accept older applicants. Also, I think if you have more than 1 failed IVF cycle already, then they may disqualify you for that. Sorry I don't have very good news

Good luck to you!

03-22-2008, 06:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
kellyrn 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 931	Integramed or ARC? Has anyone used these? They both seem pretty similar. I have read that Integramed is better than ARC? I'd like to hear from anyone who has used one of these companies and if they have found it helpful. The clinic that I'm looking at doesn't use either. I guess they have their own (I'm still waiting on info from them). Just wondering if it's worth going to a clinic that offers it. However, I don't want to compromise with a clinic that has lesser success rates just b/c they do offer it HELP!

03-22-2008, 08:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
MelAnne 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 72	Arc I think these programs (ARC and Integramed) are geared towards people who either don't have insurance for infertility, or have very little coverage. My DH and I used ARC, and I think the biggest difference is that they have a refund program for one, two and three cycles but you do have to qualify. I think that integramed only has a three cycle program, but I'm not 100% sure, maybe someone can confirm that. I think ARC is a good program, from my point, and their office has been wonderful to work with. My representative was Kristin and she was so understanding and definitely on the ball with her follow ups. I would highly recommend them if your doctor is part of their group.

VISIT OUR SISTER SITES:
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar	eHarmony Advice Dating Advice	Project Wedding Wedding Songs	Weddingbee Wedding Blog


Discussion Forums Infertility Pregnancy Adoption Surrogacy Parenting Community Forum Tickers Forum Avatars Chat Room Forum Acronyms Forum FAQ _________________ Log In Register Blogs Infertility GENERAL INFORMATION Blocked Tubes (Sponsor) Counseling and Support Emotional Aspects Find the best fertility care General Procedures Infertility Myths & Facts Sperm Injection Intrauterine Adhesions Introduction to IVF Book: How to Have a Baby IVF Cost In Vitro Fertilization Infertility Risk Factors Infertility Treatments Male Factor Medications Older Female Patients Ovarian Hyperstimulation Peak Fertility Calculator Weight and Fertility Adoption ADOPTION INFOMATION Adoption Glossary Consent to Adoption Guide to Adoption Stepparent Adoption Rights of Presumed Fathers Who may Adopt Pregnancy PREGNANCY INFORMATION Baby Names Cord Blood Screening for Birth Defects Multiple Pregnancy Pregnancy Exercise Videos Pregnancy Pains Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Parenting PARENTING TIPS Child Glossary Child Safety Education Newborn Development Preschool Development Special Needs Children Toddler Development

Currently Active Chat Room Users: 0 \| Scheduled Chat Room Events
	Users in Chat Rooms: No one's chatting right now!

03-22-2008, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
eli 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY Posts: 26,041 Blog Entries: 278	I used ARC in the year 2000. I did the 3 IVF/partial money back guarantee program. At that time it was 25,750.00. My first IVF ended up working, so I did pay that entire amount for one IVF. Still, it gave me peace of mine. We knew we could try 3 times and get some money back if it didn't work. It was incredibly scary thinking of paying out of pocket for all that and ending up childless and penniless. Of course, in hindsight, if we had just paid out of pocket, we could have gotten off MUCH cheaper. I don't regret a thing. We made the best decision we could at the time. ARC was very nice and very helpful. I am sure there are better deals to be had, but I have no complaints at all. Good luck!

03-22-2008, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
kellyrn 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 931	Thanks! One thing I don't get, is this for people w/o insurance only?

04-03-2008, 05:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
jojo329 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,268	Our insurance only covers diagnosis and treatment of underlying problems. Some insurance covers the "monitoring" part of it - like the ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc. Some insurance covers the meds. So, unfortunately, Integramed never includes meds. They do have programs with monitoring and without monitoring, though. You can choose based on which will work best for you. Our clinic is 3 hours away, so we're doing Integramed's 3 fresh/3frozen cycle plan with ICSI without monitoring. So, I can do the u/s and b/w at my regular OB up until ER time. I hope this helps!

04-03-2008, 07:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
kellyrn 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 931	Thanks JOJO!!!

04-04-2008, 07:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
shell1976 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MN Posts: 28	I found this web site for loans for infertility treatments. FirstAgain.com. Has anyone ever used this or heard of them. I e-mailed them and they did give me a number to call if I need to. I am just wondering if this is real, I don't want to fall for a scam! Thanks!

04-20-2008, 07:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Blakey 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,951	Hi everyone- Question in regards to the integramed program. DO you have to be a certain age to qualify? Last month we just went through our 3rd IVF/ICSI cycle, and we weren't successful. We are going to try again...but we are paying out of pocket for all of our treatments. Our Ins. is under my DH, which covers bloodwork, and monitoring with u/s- and picks up some of the meds. but not the actually treatments, so we are still paying thousands. We are looking into options for our future cycle..but are afraid we won't be able to afford a DE cycle. I have heard from some women that it can range from 20-30k- which is just impossible for us to do. Just wondering about these programs. thanks for any info.

04-21-2008, 06:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
jojo329 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,268	Unfortunately, Integramed age cutoff is 38. BUT if you use DE, I think they will accept older applicants. Also, I think if you have more than 1 failed IVF cycle already, then they may disqualify you for that. Sorry I don't have very good news Good luck to you!