in this issue
Sonja Kristiansen, MD
Medical Director & co-founder
of
the
Infertility Center
of Houston, Dr. Kristiansen is double board certified in
Reproductive
Endocrinology and Obstetrics & Gynecology and
specializes in surgical and IVF procedures.
She has
advanced training in hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and
microtubal reconstruction. She also works with
female endocrine abnormalities relating to
menstrual and reproductive development.
Quick Links...
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Greetings,
Perhaps one of the most common sticking points for
people who are considering fertility treatment is
financial. The diagnosis and treatment of infertility is
not an expense that most people save for, and
insurance coverage is often unavailable.
What are some steps you can take to assure that your
path to a family isn't completely blocked by inability to
afford treatment?
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Understand Your Coverage
The most important first financial step is to be clear
about what your health insurance plan will or will not
cover. Many patients are surprised to learn that the
rumors they've heard are not true -- that, indeed, they
may be able to have parts of the diagnostic and even
treatment process reimbursed through their insurance.
Often, people who've experienced dissatisfaction in
trying to obtain insurance coverage will freely dispense
misinformation to others. Pay less attention to
disgruntled co-workers and more to the fine print of
your own plan. If you need assistance in locating those
details, talk to the person at your job who is assigned
the task of being a liaison with the insurance company.
Or, if you're the private owner of a policy, contact your
agent.
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Where to Turn for Help
If you do not have health insurance, or you learn that
your insurer will not cover fertility related costs, it's
time to examine your other resources. Some couples
receive monetary loans or gifts from their families.
Others will use credit card accounts to finance their
family-building dreams.
Over the years, different companies have responded to
the growing need for financial assistance related to
fertility treatment. Unfortunately, some of these
companies may not be as reliable as others, as the
marketplace of hopeful parents-to-be is ripe for being
taken advantage of by unscrupulous lenders.
We often refer patients to the Capital One Family Fee
Plan. This fair and solid program can provide qualified
applicants with affordable, fixed rate loans specifically
for use in fertility treatment. Patients may apply online,
over the phone, or by fax and receive a loan decision in
the privacy of their own homes. Upon approval, the
patient signs a release that will authorize the funds to
be used for treatmnt. Loans can be small or large,
depending on the patient's medical needs and credit
standing. They have an online payment calculator that
can give you an idea of how much your monthly
payments would cost. You can look into this option at
their website.
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Creative Resourcefulness
If gifts from family, loans, and credit accounts are not
an option for you, there's still hope. It takes being
creative and resourceful.
For example, the manufacturers of fertility drugs usually
allot a certain percentage of money annually for
patients in need. Most patients find that medications
make up the bulk of their treatment expense. You can
find out the details for each company on their
respective websites:
Another source for discount may be the pharmacy
itself. While large chains will be unable to assist you in
general, smaller independent pharmacists do
occasionally have the ability to negotiate. It never
hurts to ask! Two of the largest US fertility medications
pharmacies work to make things easier for the
consumer. Freedom
Drug offers a program through Lynnfield
Compounding Center to assist qualifying applicants. IvpCare contracts with DesignRx to help
patients without insurance coverage.
A host of newer options that serve uninsured or under-
insured patients for all kinds of medical conditions are
the myriad prescription discount services. These
various prescription plans work by doing the negotiating
for you with selected drug providers. Two examples of
these discount drug programs are The Peoples
Prescription Plan and the Together
RX Access Card.
The Partnership for
Prescription Assistance is a collaboration by
pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patient
advocate groups to assist qualifying patients in finding
resources to help them meet their prescription
medication needs. You can contact them online or by
calling 1-888-4PPA-NOW.
Finally, the patient advocacy organization called INCIID
has a limited grant program for IVF therapy. To apply,
you must first become a member of the group, which
includes an annual membership fee, then submit a letter
from your physician documenting need, along with
financial documentation. See their website for
details.
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Analyzing the Cost-Benefit
Each patient's situation is unique, and each must make
his or her own decision upon encountering financial
roadblocks. Some people choose not to pursue their
initial dreams. Some choose to continue but at a limited
pace, if time permits. Still others go forth with
treatment methods that can be performed without
fertility drugs.
We encourage all of our patients to weigh the costs
and benefits of assisted reproductive technology. We
understand that hard choices must often be made. We
also know that if one were to ask former patients-
turned-parents if their struggle was worthwhile, the
only answer you'd likely hear is "Yes". Let us know your
concerns. My staff and I will do all we can to work for
your dreams.
Sincerely,
Sonja B. Kristiansen, MD
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