Did you finance? How?

[Claire C.]

Thought you would would like to know there's a good article on Fertility Authority that lists the various financing plans/options: Fertility Financing Plans -- Costs -- FertilityAuthority.com

There's also an overview of IVF Refund Programs here: IVF Refund Programs -- Costs -- FertilityAuthority.com.
And:
ARC IVF Refund Program - IVF Refund Programs -- Costs -- FertilityAuthority.com
Attain IVF Refund Program - Attain IVF Refund Program -- Costs -- FertilityAuthority.com
In Vitro Sciences Financial Share Program - In Vitro Sciences Financial Share Program -- Costs -- FertilityAuthority.com

There's a lot of other great content about paying for fertility treatment and paying for fertility drugs in the Costs section of the website as well.

Claire

[hairwiz]

Thanks so much for the info.I will say we tried to do the Attain program,and the most we could get financed was $15,000.We needed close to$40k.We have great credit too.They just aren't loaning money easily at all.

[Sarah1124]

We applied for a loan with Fertility Finance at the end of 2009. We needed 11K and were approved, however the interest rate (despite our credit score being really good) was like 14.5%. Since we had a credit card with a high enough limit, and a lower interest rate to begin with, we called them to find out our options. They gave us the 11K at 0% for a year, and then back to the 8.9% after the 12 months. Not the most ideal situation, but even with that much on a credit card, we were able to refinance our house last year and buy a new car. We'll be spacing out our next IVF in order to save better for it. But it's definitely not a a cheap thing!!

[angela39]

We had a hard time with financing as well for our IVF, however our clinic really worked with us. We ended up getting financing the Medical Financing.com I believe. They worked with our clinic which was very helpful. I just can't believe how fast everything adds us. Our clinic, seem to also have a lot of patients coming from out of state, I believe because of there pricing. The article from Fertility Authority is good, but I got a lot of information from Dr. Goldstein's web site as well. Fertility Specialists of Texas - IVF fertility treatment specialist, IVF In Vitro Fertilization Fertility Specialist in Dallas, Texas. One cycle of IVF was 6150... just curious what others are charging.

[babedow77]

BC Infantry. We may be using an mtf as well. Did you have to travel for an orientation and then go back for the cycle?
Did you dh go with you for the full cycle?
We are weighing the options of using an mtf vs. just paying full price and going locally.

[babedow77]

Angela39. Once cylce is 6150. Did that include medications? if not how much was that?

[LolaInLove]

Been a while since any posts here, but bumping to see if anyone has any current thoughts. I am new to IF, and my insurance doesn't cover it. I am a little worried if IVF is my only route since my credit took a hit with this crap economy!

[jenga12576]

Lola- you can apply for loans thru specific companies... but certain fertility clinics only work thru certain financing company.... so first you would have to know you are going to cycle and where to find out who they use..... BUT you have gotten pregnant/ so it is possible that the sperm is the cause... but more likely either anepluid or something with you...s o i think a full work up for you is important to get WHICH you should be able to have done by your primary doctor/ or internest covered by insurance IF they code things as non fertility... they can test for immunity issues, nk killer cells, clotting issues, thyroid issues etc.

USUALLY- with sperm issues IVF with ICSI is best bet.... obviously his sperm can get to the egg... so i think YOU need to be worked up too.. have a saline u/s, hyseteroscopy... your insurance will pay if your regular obgyn orders and does USUALLY... then when you have been worked up go to fertility specialist.... some insurance may pay for a certain amt of testing max amt- mine was like 2000 in testing lifetime

I used GE credit for one cycle... no interest if you pay it off in a certain amount of time which i did

Second- you can take a medical loan out against you retirement account- i believe you have 5 years to pay it back basically almost interest free or maybe just a fee.... i think you can only borrow up to 50% of it but probalby depends on where you live state laws ... but maybe federal laws only that apply to this....we have also taken out loans against our retirement and paying it back.

THIRD_ you could try a 2nd mortgage or equity loan.... BUT this can cause some MAJOR problems down the road... if you do this then it is tied to your home... if you plan on staying and not selling for long time no problem, but if not... this will affect your ability to sell and get what you need to be free and clear in the future

4th- if you or your can sign up for a medical expense acct...federal govt allows up to $5000 to be taken out pretax from your check...usually you sign up for it when you sign up for regular benefits... basically you get the money before govt can tax it.... so you are saving money in a sense.... you can usually use the "credit card" for this expense account as soon as the new fiscal year starts...for us it was oct 1st... this has been a GOD SEND for me... it is like invisible money on a card that is taken out each check you don't even notice it.

5th- be creative about your drugs... some people get their prescriptions filled out of the country in Europe which is legal.... i believe you still have to have a prescription from your doctor , their are legit companies to get them from.... ALSO some drugs your insurance will cover b/c they are not considered fertility drugs.... like steroids, BCP(birth control)

6th- if you are paying cash for services from fertility clinic like baseline saline ultrasound their is usually a "cash" price vs an "insurance" price.... cheaper//ALWAYS ASK IF I AM PAYING CASH CAN YOU DECREASE COST FOr the ivf cycle and anything they are doing...... cash is easier

7th if you are a first time cycler and they have a "bundle price" for monitoring... take it.... otherwise you WILL most likely spend more

8th- even if you are young.... if you qualify for an attain program...3 ivfs for certain cost DO IT- probalby can't qualify though b/c of sperm counts low

9th- if you are young and can go to a TOP clinic that can freeze eggs/ and embryos DO IT

Jen

[LolaInLove]

Jen, thank you SO much for all of this info! I am so new to all of this and am the type who wants to feel like I have gathered as much info as possible so I don't get duped. You should see how long it takes me to buy a car. There is a clinic in my area that does AttainIVF. I will most likely just pay cash or use a medical credit plan....there is a chance I could get my in-laws to lend it to us, but that is just a long shot idea. They may not want to do that.

As far as testing, I have had a lot as I wrote in my other thread, and my doctor really does not think it was me or bad sperm, just bad luck and aneuploidy. However, I am sure that I will get another work up pretty soon if we head to the fertility clinic, so you never know.

My plan right now is to get some IVF info, get connected to a clinic here and have my DH see the uro there, and figure out the financing part while we still try naturally for a while, maybe 6 months.

I really appreciate that extensive response, very informative. I would definitely choose to freeze embies if I could, I have heard that is a good idea!!!!

[jenga12576]

hey- i see you are in south carolina??? i love Dr Schnorr at SEFC (south eastern fertility clinic) in charleston... they also have office in columbia...not sure where you are exactly but SEFC has GREAT stats and prices are decent tooo ... they have INTEGRAMED multiple cycle plan... they are also doing a frozen egg study... at a discounted price... you can cycle... they freeze your eggs...unthaw fertilize and transfer.... the price maybe very good right now... and vitrify embryos when freezing which is a great thing.

Jen