If You Are Infertile, What"s it Going to Cost You to Have Your First Child?
It's bad enough to get the terrible news that you may be infertile and unable to have children.
Then you get further bad news on how expensive infertility tests and treatments are and just what it could cost you to have your own child.
This can be overwhelming to many and very difficult to deal with.
Even though you may have heard high infertility cost is a given, you now have to face it head on.
On the upside, it really makes sense however, to know the cost burden, as it can help you better determine the options available to you.
Notwithstanding, determining actual fees and costs can be very frustrating and time consuming.
Depending on type testing, treatment option and your area, fees will vary widely.
Your infertility team or physician may be able to help you in this.
In a perfect world, the primary focus should really be on which clinic, their reputation, proximity to you, staff expertise and of course their experience and success, not on cost.
However, it is obvious costs must be adequately addressed before moving forward.
Your research will show that costs can vary greatly even within your area, so you must do your homework on this.
If you have fewer clinics in your surrounding area, fees will usually be substantially higher.
Studies have shown, on the other hand, that higher treatment costs do not necessarily go together with high cost of living areas.
To get the full picture, talk to others who have gone through this.
Visit several clinics and ask for help from your team and doctors.
Be sure to visit infertility clinic websites even outside of your area for cost comparison.
Carefully evaluate the options available to you and take time to contemplate the most cost effective approach.
Here are a few example treatments and range of possible costs for your comparison.
Your own situation will dictate a specific treatment protocol just for you, so any of these may or may not be pertinent to your program: ·Initial Consultation$150-175 ·Semen Analysis $ 85-100 ·Normal Ultrasound $250-300 ·Artificial Insemination $500-750 ·Ovulation Induction $900-1000 ·IUI Cycle $500-1000 ·IVF Cycle $9000-15000 Remember these are typical today, but can vary in your area.
Also treatments rarely are done once, and often are performed through several menstruation cycles.
Likewise there will be ongoing tests and drugs, as well as regular consultations and monitoring, all of which have fees.
At this point, many couples see that infertility costs can increase beyond expectation and wonder how can you possibility afford all this.
First, face the fact that your future pregnancy will come at a high cost.
Then, once the shock is gone, get serious on what you must consider to move forward and make it happen.
A good idea is to consider your current health insurance policy, which you probably have through your employer.
Some cover certain tests and therapies relative to infertility.
Determine what the coverage limits are and what might be included.
Discuss possibilities with your employer or agent.
You might be able to set up a flex spending account, which could allow you to fund the account for treatments, such as infertility related, and not normally covered in your current policy.
You might be able to obtain infertility insurance directly.
Although restrictive and somewhat difficult to obtain, it could help immensely.
Most are based on a refund setup, in which you pay upfront, but then if unsuccessful, 75-100% will be refund to you.
Try to get this before you begin any treatments.
Your age, length of infertility and other qualifications will be considered.
Also you should consider other financing options to help.
A regular loan or specialized plans are available through certain clinics and hospitals, with refund options.
Even tapping your 401K or other savings would be worthwhile to have the child you want.
If you do your homework, a financing approach will become available.
So, yes, this might really cost you, but as you can see, there are a variety of options available to most infertile couples to cover the high cost of having their first child.
Then you get further bad news on how expensive infertility tests and treatments are and just what it could cost you to have your own child.
This can be overwhelming to many and very difficult to deal with.
Even though you may have heard high infertility cost is a given, you now have to face it head on.
On the upside, it really makes sense however, to know the cost burden, as it can help you better determine the options available to you.
Notwithstanding, determining actual fees and costs can be very frustrating and time consuming.
Depending on type testing, treatment option and your area, fees will vary widely.
Your infertility team or physician may be able to help you in this.
In a perfect world, the primary focus should really be on which clinic, their reputation, proximity to you, staff expertise and of course their experience and success, not on cost.
However, it is obvious costs must be adequately addressed before moving forward.
Your research will show that costs can vary greatly even within your area, so you must do your homework on this.
If you have fewer clinics in your surrounding area, fees will usually be substantially higher.
Studies have shown, on the other hand, that higher treatment costs do not necessarily go together with high cost of living areas.
To get the full picture, talk to others who have gone through this.
Visit several clinics and ask for help from your team and doctors.
Be sure to visit infertility clinic websites even outside of your area for cost comparison.
Carefully evaluate the options available to you and take time to contemplate the most cost effective approach.
Here are a few example treatments and range of possible costs for your comparison.
Your own situation will dictate a specific treatment protocol just for you, so any of these may or may not be pertinent to your program: ·Initial Consultation$150-175 ·Semen Analysis $ 85-100 ·Normal Ultrasound $250-300 ·Artificial Insemination $500-750 ·Ovulation Induction $900-1000 ·IUI Cycle $500-1000 ·IVF Cycle $9000-15000 Remember these are typical today, but can vary in your area.
Also treatments rarely are done once, and often are performed through several menstruation cycles.
Likewise there will be ongoing tests and drugs, as well as regular consultations and monitoring, all of which have fees.
At this point, many couples see that infertility costs can increase beyond expectation and wonder how can you possibility afford all this.
First, face the fact that your future pregnancy will come at a high cost.
Then, once the shock is gone, get serious on what you must consider to move forward and make it happen.
A good idea is to consider your current health insurance policy, which you probably have through your employer.
Some cover certain tests and therapies relative to infertility.
Determine what the coverage limits are and what might be included.
Discuss possibilities with your employer or agent.
You might be able to set up a flex spending account, which could allow you to fund the account for treatments, such as infertility related, and not normally covered in your current policy.
You might be able to obtain infertility insurance directly.
Although restrictive and somewhat difficult to obtain, it could help immensely.
Most are based on a refund setup, in which you pay upfront, but then if unsuccessful, 75-100% will be refund to you.
Try to get this before you begin any treatments.
Your age, length of infertility and other qualifications will be considered.
Also you should consider other financing options to help.
A regular loan or specialized plans are available through certain clinics and hospitals, with refund options.
Even tapping your 401K or other savings would be worthwhile to have the child you want.
If you do your homework, a financing approach will become available.
So, yes, this might really cost you, but as you can see, there are a variety of options available to most infertile couples to cover the high cost of having their first child.
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