Finding the best way to start a family can be difficult when you cannot conceive naturally. There are numerous reasons natural conception may be impossible or not recommended for you. For example, you may not have a spouse or you may have a same-sex spouse. You or your spouse may also suffer from infertility or carry genetic traits you do not want to pass to your children. IVF assisted fertility and related treatments can help you. However, such treatments are often quite expensive.
In fact IVF treatment can cost thousands of dollars. Fertility Drugs alone often cost at least $3,000. Ovarian reserve screening and other testing can make those costs skyrocket. The IVF assisted fertility process and several other fertility-related procedures also do not always work the first time. If you need to repeat them, your costs can increase rapidly. The best way to start a family may be to undergo fertility treatment, but knowing that does not help if you cannot afford those rising costs. Here are the top five ways to reduce the cost of fertility treatments and afford some of the most popular IVF meds such as Menopur, Follistim and others.
#1 Choose the Right Fertility Clinic and IVF Meds
You may know about the various fertility drugs, including Menopur or Centrotide, but if you are a woman seeking fertility assistance, time is of the essence. Your ovarian reserve is reduced with each menstrual cycle because you start your life with the total number of eggs you will ever have. Therefore, you need to select a clinic where the staff understands your needs. Make sure they are suggesting a course of action that maximizes your chances for fertility success. Ask questions, such as:
- What is the initial treatment plan in my case?
- Is there a secondary treatment plan if the first course of action fails or do you repeat the same treatment multiple times?
- What are some of the other procedures available and why is the chosen procedure best for me?
- Where can I get reliable discounted fertility meds?
Identifying the best way to start a family using fertility procedures is not always as simple as talking to your gynecologist. A clinic specializing in aiding infertility sufferers is a better source of assistance. The staff members at such a clinic specialize in helping patients undergoing similar struggles to yours. They can quickly identify your risk factors and answer the questions above while thoroughly describing your treatment options.
#2 Explore Discount IVF Meds Options
Getting discount IVF meds is easy when you know where to look. It is easy to order trigger shot online for ovulation or other types of online fertility medications. However, it is vital to order those medications from a trusted source. Ordering fertility drugs online can be unsafe when you do not understand how the laws work. For example, IVF drugs online sold to you in the United States must have known, legal distributors in the United States. Such medications are regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Avoid purchasing medications if you cannot verify they have distributors in the United States. Doing so is illegal. It is also dangerous, since you do not know what substances those medications really contain. For example, Menopur is manufactured by Ferring Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey. However, there are other medications manufactured in Switzerland, for example, that can be sold in the U.S. if they are sold legally through a registered pharmaceutical company.
In some cases, discount IVF meds are also available through your clinic. Often, leftover medications not used by patients are available for redistribution. However, the clinic may not distribute such medications unless you specifically request them. Ask about such policies before starting your fertility treatment.
#3 Seek Free Financial Assistance from Your Clinic for IVF Drugs
Ordering fertility drugs online is a valid option for saving on your fertility treatments. However, it is not the only way to cut financial corners. Another option is to talk to a financial counselor at the clinic, if one is available. A clinic financial counselor serves several purposes. He or she can potentially do the following:
- Identify IVF assisted fertility obviously covered by your insurance.
- Check for procedures covered in less obvious ways.
- Suggest financing options to help cover remaining costs.
Through your fertility clinic or independently, you can also find local charities specializing in fertility assistance. If you qualify, you can receive a grant or scholarship from a fertility charity. The money is donated and used to assist families in need, like yours. Each charity has different rules regarding eligibility. You may need to check several before finding one to assist you. Here are three of the most popular:
- Hope for Fertility Foundation
- Cade Foundation
- Nest Egg Foundation Grant
#4 Choose Your Fertility Procedure and Fertility Meds Carefully
The best way to start a family is not always the most obvious or most expensive. The IVF assisted fertility process is one of the most expensive forms of fertility treatment. You may have success using a far less expensive procedure, such as artificial insemination. Discuss every option with your clinician before making a choice.
Even if you choose IVF, you still have some control over the specific expenses involved. For example, you can opt not to have your own eggs harvested. Adopting an embryo is possible through many different organizations. The option is readily available because many couples have leftover embryos after undergoing fertility procedures of their own. Often, they choose to freeze those embryos for later personal use or donation.
#5 See if Your Fertility Clinic Offers an IVF Refund Program
The initial fertility drug and IVF procedure costs you are quoted are not necessarily what you pay in the long run. Look for a clinic that offers an IVF refund program. Such a program typically requires you to pay a set rate for a particular number of procedures. Usually, it is for several rounds of treatment. That is due to IVF treatment not always working the first time. For example, you might pay for four rounds of treatment up front. However, if you conceive after two rounds, you receive a refund for the remainder of the procedural costs.
IVF fertility help that your clinic offers may also include a guarantee of some kind. If a guarantee is present, it typically means you receive a partial or full refund, if you are never able to conceive from the treatments offered. Not every clinic offers such guarantees. Find one that does offer it to at least ensure yourself some financial peace of mind in the event you face the emotional turmoil of failed fertility treatment.
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