Nobody wants to let money come between them and their dreams, especially when it comes to having a baby. But the truth is, money is important, we work hard for our money and it provides a certain sense of security. If we spend all of our money having a baby, how will we pay for raising the baby? And what if we spend all of our money and still don’t get a baby? These are legitimate questions and here are a few tips that helped me take money worries out of the equation when choosing to pursue my fertility treatment.
Don’t Jump to Conclusions.
Don’t assume your insurance does not cover treatment. At Shady Grove Fertility, approximately 70% of patients have some coverage for infertility treatment. Plus, insurance coverage changes regularly, check with your provider annually. If nothing else, most pre-testing is covered and every little bit helps.
Here’s a list of insurance companies currently working with Shady Grove Fertility.
| Adventist Healthnet Aetna Anthem CareFirst BC/BS of Maryland CareFirst Blue Choice CareFirst National Capital Area Choice Care Network CHP/Informed CIGNA Coventry Health Care National Network/First Health Great West Healthcare Health Keepers | Kaiser MDIPA/Optimum Choice MAMSI Life & Health Multiplan OneNet PPO Parent Steps Private Healthcare Systems Tricare United Healthcare United Resource Network |
Treatment Varies
Don’t always assume you need expensive treatments like IVF or Donor Egg. Nearly half of fertility patients are successful with IUI which is much more affordable. Talk to your doctor about all of your options.
Let the Tax Man Help-ith
By putting the maximum amount allowed by you and your partner into a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can save up to 40% of your medical expenses by paying with pre-tax dollars. Ask your employer’s human resource department about how you can sign up now and put money away (up to $5,000 per household) into a FSA. Those new convenient debit cards save you lots of paperwork too!
Take Advantage of Existing Programs
Shared Risk 100% Refund is a wildly popular program that takes the guesswork out of paying for treatment. Taking advantage of Shared Risk was like taking a vacation at an all-inclusive resort for me. I could leave the doctors office each visit without taking out my wallet! Plus it gave me peace of mind that I would be refunded 100% of my money if I decided not proceed with treatment or treatment did not work.
The Shared Help Program is designed to help make fertility testing and treatment more affordable by offering discounts to patients who have no insurance coverage and limited income. To put it in context, it’s like applying for financial aide for college. Since launching the program in 2009, over 75% of all applicants have been approved for treatment discounts, including 85% of couples who have applied so far in 2010. Shared Help provides patients, whose income is $95,000 or less, with a discount off the cost of most fertility services provided by SGFC.
It’s like a Car Payment
That’s what I told myself when my insurance did not cover my IVF treatments so I opted to use Fertility Financing. My car was about to be paid off and was still in good shape, and I could easily drive it for a few more years while I paid my fertility loan payment.
The bottom line is, there is more than one way to skin a cat (although I don’t endorse skinning cats). Call Shady Grove Fertility at 877-761-1967 to speak with one of their patient liaisons who can help you make an appointment to meet with a doctor and a financial coordinator before making any decisions.
