Apr 26, 2012

IVF Financials

I got a call from my RE’s IVF clinic and they gave a list of things to do before we officially start our IVF cycle. We have got a bunch of papers to sign and heap load of tests and blood work to be done and then based on that we will get our ‘ok’ to go ahead. They also sent us an itemized cost list so that we know how much we need load our pockets with the big bucks.
Here is what I got from them:
Medications (Lupron, Follistim, Progesterone etc….)
$3000-$7000
Venipuncture
$15 / per blood draw)
Ultrasounds
$230



Blood Work only (this is just estimated cost)
$2750
Anesthesia
$700
Retrieval Fee
$2530
Laboratory Fee
$4140
Embryo Transfer
$1410
Facility Fee
$1260
Total:
$12090



ICSI (less than or equal to 10 oocytes)
$2100
ICSI (greater than 10 oocytes)
$2400



Cryopreservation of Embryos (due at Start of cycle)
$1155
Storage of Embryos (due beginning of year two)
$225/ quarter
Sperm MESA
$250
Sperm TESA
$800

Assuming:
1.       We don’t go for ICSI (we never know!)
2.       We don’t do Sperm MESA and TESA (again, we never know!)
3.       Estimated medication cost is $5000 (I took an average)
4.       Venipuncture (7 blood draws?) - $105
5.       Ultrasounds (4..?) ~ $1000

The total is now $12090 + $5000 + $105 + $1000 = $18195….!!!!!! And this amount excludes cryopreservation which is another $1155
Is this the normal price tag for IVF? All this while I thought the medication costs were part of the IVF cycle costs. Well now that isn’t the case here. The medication costs totally come from a different bucket! Is this the case with all IVF centers?? I really appreciate if someone could provide any feedback…

3 comments:

  1. Of course I don't mind taking a look! I saw this yesterday, and I wish I could be helpful. Unfortunately I live in a state that requires IF insurange coverage, which we have not yet exhausted, so I'm not too sure about the out-of-pocket costs without insurance. Here are two pages that might be helpful for you.

    http://livingourlifeincycles.blogspot.com/p/out-of-pocket.html

    http://sometimesitshardtogetpregnant.blogspot.com/p/financials.html

    I've also read other bloggers whose REs have a package deal - some number of fresh, and all frozen cycles included, with medication costing extra. I know nothing about this clinic, but here is an example of one of these plans: http://www.advancedfertility.com/ivfriskshare.htm

    Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! This is very helpful. We'll have insurance coverage for one cycle but subsequent cycles are going to be out of pocket. The links show approx same out of pocket amounts as we had estimated. So thats makes me feel a little better!

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  2. Wow, I had no idea IVF would be so expensive! To cut some costs, you can try to get medicine donated? Also, have you thought about a shared risk plan to start?

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