How to Make IVF Refund Programs Work When You Conceive
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010
by Kevin Haney
A.S.K. Benefit Solutions
IVF refund programs help couples recoup most of their money in the event they don't conceive. The refund frees up resources to try again or pursue other avenues. But what happens when you do conceive? Refund programs may weaken a couple's financial position right before finances get even tighter. Supplemental insurance helps rebalance the equation.
The IVF clinic offering a refund will qualify a couple medically before accepting you into the program. There will be a battery of tests which may or may not be covered; check your insurance plan. Think about what the clinic is doing. The clinic is checking to determine your probability of conception.
If your probability of conception is good, you are offered the refund option. If you conceive according to the program definition of conception, you are responsible for all the fees. The clinic is using their knowledge of statistics to stack the deck in their favor.
You Purchase at Least Three Cycles
If you qualify medically, and the clinic believes your odds of conception are good, you pay an upfront fee for several cycles. Each clinic differs, but most commonly you will be asked to pay for three attempts. If you conceive during the first cycle the clinic keeps the entire fee, and you just overpaid. If you fail to conceive you get a quantity discount on the cycles, along with the partial refund. This refund may not include all of your costs: testing, fertility drugs, and other fees are not always included.
Conception Costs Far More
When your IVF cycle works and you conceive there will be a variety of extra costs to contend with. You will lose your upfront fee paid regardless of the number of cycles you consumed, along with the left over expenses for testing, drugs, etc. There may be extra costs associated with mom's pregnancy, especially if complications arise: lost income for bed rest, left over medical expenses for any hospital stays, doctor visits, testing, etc. Then is mom's unpaid maternity leave, followed by the costs to care for and raise a newborn.
Rebalance the Equation
Supplemental insurance helps to rebalance the equation. If medically approved the clinic believes that you will conceive. Your costs are higher for conception. When bought before conception, supplemental insurance pays benefits for mom's normal labor and delivery, helping to offset a portion of your upfront IVF costs.
Plus additional benefits may be paid in case pregnancy complications arise, or if your child needs care in the NICU after birth. In addition these programs protect you in case of accidents or illnesses; an important feature whether you conceive or not.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Thank you for the info.Chris
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