Infertility Treatment Cost

When people ask about the cost of infertility treatment they are usually referring to advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF, donor egg, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Couples seeking help from an infertility clinic often assume that they will require one or all of these procedures. Studies demonstrate that approximately 10- 15% of couples who visit a fertility specialist will eventually require assisted reproductive technologies.

Most will be become pregnant through the appropriate use of medications and often stimulated intrauterine insemination. Success for an individual couple depends upon the cause(s) of their infertility.

While it is true that most managed care plans do not cover infertility treatment, they will sometimes reimburse diagnostic procedures such as the laparoscopy or hysterosalpingogram. There are now thirteen states that mandate some type of infertility coverage be provided by employers. Additionally, some corporations have independently elected to offer infertility benefits.

Most clinics have insurance specialists that help you navigate the mire of allowed and disallowed procedures. It is important to be very familiar with your individual insurance plan. You should ask your personnel department to provide you with a copy of the actual policy. Plans vary between states and companies. Some provide a reimbursable amount for each procedure, some pay a percentage after the deductible has been met, and others provide a lifetime capped amount for infertility treatment. Unfortunately, as a general rule, if you do not live in a mandated state your coverage will be limited. There have been instances where an employee directly petitioned the company's personnel department resulting in a benefit.

Costs vary by program, location, and many other factors. Every program has someone who will help you determine your treatment cost and many have special financial programs. "Shared risk" is a popular program in which the couple pays for a certain number of IVF cycles "up front", usually four and if pregnancy does not occur their money is refunded. Programs vary in the specific definitions of, and admission to, their shared risk programs.

Many studies demonstrate that the total cost of infertility treatment is less when a reproductive specialist is consulted early. Specialists will the order appropriate tests on both partners and commence the treatment most likely to result in pregnancy. Time is not wasted on numerous cycles of medications, such as Clomid or treating when male factor infertility has not been ruled out.