Infertility Cost Reality Check - How Much Will it Really Cost?
Faced with the realities of infertility cost, many couples react emotionally and impulsively.
"I don't care! It doesn't matter! I'll pay anything for a baby!" That's a perfectly normal expected response.
Friends, acquaintances, and family members may have differing opinions and different core values, but that does not matter.
Some people who are shocked at the cost of infertility treatment think nothing of spending more than that amount for a new Lexus or remodeling their kitchen.
So don't let their opinions bother you.
The key to dealing successfully with any unexpected cost is planning.
Approaching any challenge with your eyes open and a plan for handling it can relieve your stress, greatly improve your disposition, and build your confidence.
Successful athletes, military leaders, and business tycoons exude a can-do commitment to winning.
And you can too -- beat the odds to have the babies you want and also know you can meet your financial responsibilities.
Infertility Insurance Limits Because infertility is a medical condition, we reasonably expect health insurance policies to cover most of the cost.
But that is an erroneous assumption.
Many health plans will pay for fertility testing for both the man and the woman when ordered by a physician after 12 months of trying to become pregnant without success.
But follow-up treatment for infertility, including expensive medications, are often excluded from coverage or are severely limited.
To learn the extent and limits of your insurance coverage, be sure to review your plan with your employer's HR department.
In the US, fifteen states have laws mandating coverage of costs for some common infertility treatments.
But the laws vary greatly between the states and do not apply to all insurance plans.
Be sure to carefully review the specifics of infertility coverage mandates if you live in one of these states: - Arkansas - California - Connecticut - Hawaii - Illinois - Louisiana - Maryland - Massachusetts - Montana - New Jersey - New York - Ohio - Rhode Island - Texas - West Virginia How Much Will It Cost? Knowing the insurance coverage and limits in your insurance plans, you can subtract expected coverage from the cost estimates in this article.
Because infertility issues vary greatly from one couple to the next, there is no simple answer to the question of cost.
Further, costs differ greatly depending on where you live.
And, the costs will depend on how long it takes to become pregnant, as additional expenses are incurred for each cycle of treatment.
With those differences in mind, here are some broad guidelines for typical costs: - New patient workup - $2,000 - one time cost - Clomid IUI - intra-uterine insemination - $800 to $1,200 per cycle - note: 8% success rate; implies 6 to 12 cycles needed - FSH IUI - $1,800 to $2,200 - per cycle - IVF cycle - $8,000 to $20,000 per cycle - note: needed in about 15% of cases - note: three cycles would be typical to establish pregnancy Confusing? Yes, it certainly is.
But to simplify your planning, assume infertility treatment will cost $12,000 to $20,000 if no IVF is needed.
But if IVF is required, assume three cycles for a total of $35,000 additional cost would be incurred.
When you have selected an infertility doctor or clinic to work with, have an open and frank discussion of the costs expected for the treatment plan they recommend.
They should be able to provide a cost estimate and may offer optional shared risk programs that would reimburse a majority of costs if treatment is unsuccessful.
With the cost of treatment established, you can consider how to pay the costs.
Financing is sometimes available through the clinics, your flexible-spending accounts can be tapped and money can be taken from 401-K accounts if necessary.
Many couples have equity in their homes that can be borrowed.
And don't forget prospective grandparents as a source for loans to get your family started.
"I don't care! It doesn't matter! I'll pay anything for a baby!" That's a perfectly normal expected response.
Friends, acquaintances, and family members may have differing opinions and different core values, but that does not matter.
Some people who are shocked at the cost of infertility treatment think nothing of spending more than that amount for a new Lexus or remodeling their kitchen.
So don't let their opinions bother you.
The key to dealing successfully with any unexpected cost is planning.
Approaching any challenge with your eyes open and a plan for handling it can relieve your stress, greatly improve your disposition, and build your confidence.
Successful athletes, military leaders, and business tycoons exude a can-do commitment to winning.
And you can too -- beat the odds to have the babies you want and also know you can meet your financial responsibilities.
Infertility Insurance Limits Because infertility is a medical condition, we reasonably expect health insurance policies to cover most of the cost.
But that is an erroneous assumption.
Many health plans will pay for fertility testing for both the man and the woman when ordered by a physician after 12 months of trying to become pregnant without success.
But follow-up treatment for infertility, including expensive medications, are often excluded from coverage or are severely limited.
To learn the extent and limits of your insurance coverage, be sure to review your plan with your employer's HR department.
In the US, fifteen states have laws mandating coverage of costs for some common infertility treatments.
But the laws vary greatly between the states and do not apply to all insurance plans.
Be sure to carefully review the specifics of infertility coverage mandates if you live in one of these states: - Arkansas - California - Connecticut - Hawaii - Illinois - Louisiana - Maryland - Massachusetts - Montana - New Jersey - New York - Ohio - Rhode Island - Texas - West Virginia How Much Will It Cost? Knowing the insurance coverage and limits in your insurance plans, you can subtract expected coverage from the cost estimates in this article.
Because infertility issues vary greatly from one couple to the next, there is no simple answer to the question of cost.
Further, costs differ greatly depending on where you live.
And, the costs will depend on how long it takes to become pregnant, as additional expenses are incurred for each cycle of treatment.
With those differences in mind, here are some broad guidelines for typical costs: - New patient workup - $2,000 - one time cost - Clomid IUI - intra-uterine insemination - $800 to $1,200 per cycle - note: 8% success rate; implies 6 to 12 cycles needed - FSH IUI - $1,800 to $2,200 - per cycle - IVF cycle - $8,000 to $20,000 per cycle - note: needed in about 15% of cases - note: three cycles would be typical to establish pregnancy Confusing? Yes, it certainly is.
But to simplify your planning, assume infertility treatment will cost $12,000 to $20,000 if no IVF is needed.
But if IVF is required, assume three cycles for a total of $35,000 additional cost would be incurred.
When you have selected an infertility doctor or clinic to work with, have an open and frank discussion of the costs expected for the treatment plan they recommend.
They should be able to provide a cost estimate and may offer optional shared risk programs that would reimburse a majority of costs if treatment is unsuccessful.
With the cost of treatment established, you can consider how to pay the costs.
Financing is sometimes available through the clinics, your flexible-spending accounts can be tapped and money can be taken from 401-K accounts if necessary.
Many couples have equity in their homes that can be borrowed.
And don't forget prospective grandparents as a source for loans to get your family started.
