Financial Assistance for Fertility Treatment

When a couple decides to pursue treatment for infertility, they have to handle not just the emotional and physical strains that the process brings about; the cost of treatment is very often a cause for concern and is a driving factor that ultimately influences the treatment options. Infertility treatments are expensive and place a considerable financial strain on couples.

The cost of fertility treatment include the fees for initial tests and diagnosis, consultation fees and the cost of fertility drugs and assisted reproductive technology that is opted for. It is essential to analyze the health coverage and insurance options available in order to navigate through the confusing maze of financial aspects of fertility treatment.

Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatment

The first step involves understanding the type of coverage your insurance policy provides for infertility treatment and the eligibility criteria. This is very critical since an absence of insurance coverage would mean paying for the treatment from your own resources which can be a very daunting possibility.

More specifically figure out if your policy provides benefits for in vitro fertilization. Most often insurance companies do not cover infertility treatment or offer only partial coverage for infertility treatment. Typically, the use of donor eggs and donor sperm is not covered by infertility insurance.

But the good news is that infertility insurance is now compulsory in certain states and available for private purchase throughout the United States. With the number of Americans facing fertility issues rising, fertility treatment is being seen more as a necessity than as a luxury. Hence infertility insurance is becoming more and more popular.

Standard Health Insurance

Some U.S. states have laws that pertain to insurance coverage related to infertility treatment. These laws however vary by state. Standard health insurance stipulates that a monthly premium be paid in exchange for specific fertility coverage. Some states have a mandate requiring all employers with more than 50 employees to offer health care coverage that includes some type of fertility insurance.

Other states have no mandate requiring employers to offer fertility insurance.

Unsecured loans

Organizations that specialize in IVF loans provide unsecured loans for coverage of infertility treatment and pharmaceutical care. The reason why pharmaceutical care also requires coverage is because it can cost up to 20% to 30% of the total expense of treatment. Other loan organizations provide financing for IVF as well as non-medical needs. These organizations also offer a refund guarantee in which the patient will be given a refund of the money spent, in the event that there is no live birth at the end of the treatment.

Some patients choose to obtain a personal loan from their banks or opt to invest in a low interest credit card account meant exclusively to take care of medical charges for their infertility treatment.

Low-Cost IVF

There are options wherein IVF treatment can be obtained at a reduced cost. These options include:
• Joining an IVF program at on overseas clinic in countries such as India where IVF treatment is available at a lower cost
• Participating in an IVF research program
• Sourcing clinics that specifically offer low-cost infertility treatment

Fertility clinics are sensitive to the financial implications of fertility treatment. Most fertility clinics offer several financial options to couples in order to minimize the financial burden. Their financial counsellors provide guidance and work with couples to determine the best financial options available. Most fertility clinics offer a discounted rate to in vitro fertilization patients who have no insurance coverage.

East Bay Fertility Center, Dublin, California offers various financial packages in order to make the cost of treatment affordable. Diagnostic testing and IUI (artificial insemination) may be covered by insurance depending on the diagnosis. In an effort to assist patients in these tough economic times, East Bay Fertility Center is providing in house financing and also offers corporate discounts. The cost for testing and treatment will be reviewed with each patient at the time of the free initial consultation.

For more details log on to http://www.ebfertility.com/financial.html