Some Considerations of Low Cost IVF

How to Find Affordable or Low Cost IVF

The ability to have children is pretty straightforward for most people, but for others, couples who wish for a child have been unsuccessful even after a year of unprotected sex. Each and every year, couples who have unsuccessfully tried to conceive will spend thousands of dollars on in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments. While IVF treatments often have a very high success rate, most people simply don't have $10,000 sitting around to afford the costs of these treatments, which are often not covered by health insurance. Due to lackluster healthcare insurance, more and more couples are looking for low cost IVF, and more and more doctors are willing to accommodate. Therefore, if standard American IVF treatment is out of your budget, you do have a few options available:

1) Apply to a refund program.

A refund program is a very viable for those in need of low cost IVF. These programs will allow you to pay a single discounted fee for a specific number of IVF cycles or embryo transfers. If you do not successfully have a baby in a certain time frame, the program will allow you to take home 90% of your payment. Refund programs are often available for those with limited or no infertility insurance coverage, though many are willing to work with your specific financial situation.

2)Consider opting for treatment abroad.

One cycle of IVF/ICSI can cost as low as $1725 in Europe as opposed to $12,000 in the United States. Even after figuring medicine and travel expenses, you still save as much as 50%. Indian clinics are also extremely reputable for low cost IVF treatment. One doctor commended Indian Med Guru, a widely known company in India, as "simply the best in the world" in terms of low cost IVF and quality healthcare. IMD also arranges financial aid for international patients who plan to have IVF abroad for very low cost. If traveling abroad is not an option, even simply buying IVF medication from European or Indian pharmacies can significantly slash your costs.

3)Some insurance plans will cover the IVF costs in whole or in par

Contact your employer's human resources or current health insurance to find out if fertility treatments are covered. The following states are required by law to cover or offer to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatment: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.

4)Provided your credit is in good standing, you may be able to get a loan or a new line of credit to help pay for IVF treatments.

You may even discuss the matter with your lender (after all, lenders are people too and can often relate) to work something out. If you are approved, use your credit for the sole purpose of paying for IVF. As always, make sure you can make payments on time.

Combining a few or all of the above will help perhaps already low cost IVF even more affordable for you. Thoroughly research insurance companies in your area, and become aware of your local and state laws regarding fertility and its coverage. Finding affordable, low cost IVF may seem like a great challenge, but many have found solutions in the past, and others will find them again.