IVF money-back guarantee thoughts?

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

DH and I have started saving up already, but we're still going to end up needing to take out a loan for part of it to get things rolling by next summer. Our RE office has a couple of different programs that they offer for IVF. The flat fee is about $10,000 per cycle (although this does not include medication, of course). You can pay for a flat fee package of 2-3 cycles of IVF also. Then, they also offer this money-back guarantee over the course of a year for $26,000 (again not including meds). If after 3 fresh embryo transfers and additional frozen transfers (if you have them), and you're not pregnant in a year, you get your money back.

So, my concerns... if we did the money back guarantee, what if we get pregnant the first try (wishful thinking, I know!). That's $16,000 OOP that could have been spent elsewhere. Then again, what if we didn't get pregnant at all? $26,000 that could then be used towards adoption. I know that we need to discuss this with our RE to get his professional opinion about our odds, but I wanted to hear if anyone else had any experience with programs like this?

Hope everyone is having a great start to their weekend, so far!

LooneyLife · December 2013

A lot of REs offer packages like this and they're very popular. They're usually called something like Shared Risk. You have to qualify for them and it is possible to be "kicked out" of the program (REs have different qualifications). I know someone that just got pregnant on their 4th of 6 attempts through shared risk, so the program probably saved them money.

It's important to consider that IVF doesn't always work the first time (or at all). Of course you do run the risk of paying more if it were to work the first time. I think it's important to consider your diagnosis when deciding.

LittleLady77 · December 2013

I would have done one of those in a heartbeat but no one would let me (part of the reason why we skipped that step all together). It is more common to have to go though multiple rounds of IVF than it is to have success on the first try. They are a great program but I agree, consider your diagnosis before hand. What are your AMH and AFC numbers exactly? How many eggs did you have on clomid? You may also want to ask this on the infertility board on the bump.

ILoveRedVino · December 2013

My office offered it but we weren't eligible since we'd had a loss. They do have strict eligibility requirements so I'd look in to it (age, BMI, IF/loss history).

Our office also offered other packages (1 fresh/1frozen, 2 fresh/2 frozen) with the same deal... If it results in a live baby, you don't use the rest of the package. Also, if you don't get embryos to freeze, you're out of luck. We did the 1 fresh/1 frozen package. We have now done both of those and still have embryos so we will just pay for the next FET. The package was $14k which didn't include meds.

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

@Littlelady77 - my AMH was 0.76 and my AFC was 2 on right and 4 on left (fairly consistently). My FSH and LH numbers were normal, so that's what I'm holding onto. With the first Clomid cycle, I had 3 mature follies "on schedule". With the second cycle, I had 1 and it was delayed by about a week (compared to my typical cycles). That's all the information we have on why we're having fertility issues, and we don't have a diagnosis of why my numbers are so low.

We have been told that we are eligible for the money-back guarantee package (although I'm sure they'll repeat labs next year to confirm that). I'll be almost 34 by the time we start down this road, and this package is good until age 35. There is another package for a couple thousand more for 35-37 years.

One thing that I'm hoping is if we bought a "package" of 3 cycles of IVF, and we don't end up needing to use all 3, whether we'd be able to go back later and use the rest for another pregnancy? A question for the RE office, but our fingers are crossed!

Aimothy · December 2013

We opted to not do it and have regretted it since. Hindsight I would have been just fine paying the extra OOP if it had worked in the first time.

Usually the refund programs are over once you have a successful pregnancy. So if you get pregnant on the first try, you don't get to use the other two tries on a second child.

LooneyLife · December 2013

FutureMrsWright2012 said:

@Littlelady77 - my AMH was 0.76 and my AFC was 2 on right and 4 on left (fairly consistently). My FSH and LH numbers were normal, so that's what I'm holding onto. With the first Clomid cycle, I had 3 mature follies "on schedule". With the second cycle, I had 1 and it was delayed by about a week (compared to my typical cycles). That's all the information we have on why we're having fertility issues, and we don't have a diagnosis of why my numbers are so low.

We have been told that we are eligible for the money-back guarantee package (although I'm sure they'll repeat labs next year to confirm that). I'll be almost 34 by the time we start down this road, and this package is good until age 35. There is another package for a couple thousand more for 35-37 years.

One thing that I'm hoping is if we bought a "package" of 3 cycles of IVF, and we don't end up needing to use all 3, whether we'd be able to go back later and use the rest for another pregnancy? A question for the RE office, but our fingers are crossed!

If it's a shared risk package, that wouldn't be allowed. Otherwise, they'd make no money. Part of the "risk" is that you may end up paying for something you'll never use. The other part of the "risk" is theirs; they may provide services and end up having to pay you back.

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

No, the 3-cycle flat fee package is separate from the money-back guarantee package (and about $3,000 cheaper).

LittleLady77 · December 2013

FutureMrsWright2012 said:

@Littlelady77 - my AMH was 0.76 and my AFC was 2 on right and 4 on left (fairly consistently). My FSH and LH numbers were normal, so that's what I'm holding onto. With the first Clomid cycle, I had 3 mature follies "on schedule". With the second cycle, I had 1 and it was delayed by about a week (compared to my typical cycles). That's all the information we have on why we're having fertility issues, and we don't have a diagnosis of why my numbers are so low.

We have been told that we are eligible for the money-back guarantee package (although I'm sure they'll repeat labs next year to confirm that). I'll be almost 34 by the time we start down this road, and this package is good until age 35. There is another package for a couple thousand more for 35-37 years.

One thing that I'm hoping is if we bought a "package" of 3 cycles of IVF, and we don't end up needing to use all 3, whether we'd be able to go back later and use the rest for another pregnancy? A question for the RE office, but our fingers are crossed!

I would be all over the package if I was you... Just my opinion. There is (or use to be) a DOR checking on the infertility board. Check with those ladies on success rates for IVF. It's not terrible with numbers like yours especially if you got 3 follicles with clomid alone- that's fantastic. The problem with DOR is that it causes 2 issues, a low number of eggs and possibly poor quality eggs. The second issue is the one they just can't solve for. The only thing they can do for poor egg quality is to keep doing IVF cycles and hope at least one of your eggs is good (there is no way to tell ahead of time). That's why it can sometimes take a few IVF cycles to work, well that and the fact that you won't get more than 6 eggs per cycle.

LittleLady77 · December 2013

Also, they will not let you come back and use your remaining credits for a second baby- sorry.

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

LittleLady77 said:

Also, they will not let you come back and use your remaining credits for a second baby- sorry.

Thanks for your input. I'll check in on that other board, too. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

LittleLady77 · December 2013

It never hurts to ask. Good luck in whatever decision you make. It's never an easy choice.

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

Thanks, @LittleLady77 …. And, congrats on your babies! I was so happy to see that you (and a few other previous GP'ers) have babies on the way when I came back on here!

Flamingo86 · December 2013

I have nothing to add but just wanted to say good luck with however you proceed. DH and I talked a lot about putting our money towards fertility treatments vs. adoption and I know it's a very hard thing to balance.

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

Flamingo86 said:

I have nothing to add but just wanted to say good luck with however you proceed. DH and I talked a lot about putting our money towards fertility treatments vs. adoption and I know it's a very hard thing to balance.

Thanks @Flamingo86! Seems like you and I will be starting our next steps around the same time next year. Looking forward to your updates about bringing your little one home!

IVF money-back guarantee thoughts?

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