Also see IVF
cycle fees, Medication
Costs, General
Financial Information, IVF Financial Protection Plan
- Our program is completely office based. We do not have
to pay the institutional charges of hospitals and universities.
- Our program is completed integrated. At our central office
in Johnson City where the IVF-ET procedure is performed,
we have ultrasound facilities, endocrine and andrology laboratories,
a pharmacy, and procedure suites.
- Many programs use aggressive ovarian stimulation regimens
to obtain a large number of eggs. There is evidence that,
where egg quality is concerned, more ovarian stimulation
is not necessarily better. "Gentler" stimulation
regimens lower cost and perhaps, improve oocyte quality
by maintaining a more natural environment. Less stimulation
equals less cost.
- Since lower stimulation results in lower follicle numbers,
the time needed for oocyte collection is reduced. Since
the procedure is short and performed with ultrasound guidance,
anesthesia is not necessary and analgesia/sedation is by
oral medications. The complication rate is lower than with
IV sedation or anesthesia.
- We perform all the pretreatment testing and cycle monitoring
we feel is necessary, but no more.
IVF-ET and other forms of assisted
reproductive therapy are extremely expensive. We have made
every effort to limit costs. Since many insurance companies
do not cover these therapies, you need to investigate the
extent of your coverage before making the decision for therapy.
You should also anticipate that the entire cost may become
your personal debt. It is strongly advised that personal financial
arrangements be made that cover the costs of the treatment
cycle before initiating therapy. A meeting with our insurance
counselor can be arranged at the time of your enrollment in
the program and should have occurred by the time a treatment
cycle is started.
Each stimulation regimen is individualized.
The schedules most commonly employed are enclosed. The medications
and amounts used, and therefore, the cost, may vary between
individuals and the same individual in different cycles. The
TOTAL COST of an IVF cycle with all its component parts will
be $4000-$11,000 depending on the stimulation schedule and
characteristics of response to ovarian stimulation. In exceptional
cases where additional technologies are used such as cryopreservation
or sperm injection, the cost may be higher.
Specific
charges for each portion of the IVF cycle are presented in
IVF Cycle Fees.
Full payment is required at the start
of the stimulation cycle. If the cycle is canceled for any
reason, you will be responsible only for services given to
that point.
* Patients with no
insurance benefits for infertility are now eligible for a
bundled fee. This fee excludes medications and covers monitoring
and procedures only. You can receive an additional 10% discount
off of this bundled fee with full payment before the start
of gonadotropin stimulation. Bundled fees do not apply with
satellite monitoring.
Medications used for ovarian stimulation
are available through CARS and a limited number of pharmacies.
These medications must be obtained and paid for in advance.
The cost of these medications may be reimbursed by your insurance
company. (see stimulation
regimens and their cost)
The quoted prices represent an average
cost of ONE IVF cycle. These prices may change without notice,
but will not be altered after initiation of an IVF-ET cycle.
We try very hard to give you an accurate estimate of your
bill. All expenses incurred in one attempt must be paid before
the next attempt is started, unless specific arrangements
have been made.
The following are considered as
separate charges:
- Cryopreservation
- Transfers during thaw cycles
are charged at the usual transfer rate. Additional costs
are usually incurred for consultation, monitoring and possibly,
medications during the thaw cycle. These are much less than
those of an IVF cycle. There will be a charge payable quarterly
for embryos held in storage after the first year. Please
read the informed consent for cryopreservation very carefully.
- Sperm Storage -
For specific cases, additional charges are made for sperm
storage of husband or donor sperm. These must be well planned
and discussed in advance.
- Sperm Injection
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection requires a considerable
increase in both time and equipment. Please consult the
recent fee schedule.
Also see IVF
cycle fees, Medication
Costs, General
Financial Information, IVF Financial Protection Plan
BACK
HOME
|
