Madinah Slaise Media | The Real Cost of IVF

The Real Cost of IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped millions of families conceive children and is one of the more widely known types of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The journey toward conception is a personal odyssey chronicled by hopeful mothers on social media and in private circles. Healthcare experts state that patients undergoing infertility treatment report the experience as a “stressful time” for their families.

We consulted with the University of Washington Reproductive Clinic (UWRC) and Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center (SVAMC) to investigate the financial costs of one IVF cycle for a married couple seeking care. Kelly and Roman began their quest with invasive tests followed by labwork and a video appointment with a Reproductive Endocrinologist.

Although each IVF case is unique, a basic set of labwork and tests are required for progression toward subsequent phases of treatment. Ideally, centralized communication between the healthcare team and expecting parents-to-be occurs through a free online patient portal. The MyChart web-based platform offered by UWRC categorizes a broad range of important information within a user-friendly interface.

Remittance of payment for services rendered is available for the convenience of patients who log onto the system. We examined numerous billing statements for Kelly and Roman during the early stage of reproductive therapy at UWRC. You may be surprised by the hidden costs of their treatment as the plan came to fruition.

The SVAMC releases the pressure of mounting IVF debt for qualified Veterans and their spouses with Community Care Network (CCN) referrals. Kelly enrolled in the Veteran’s Administration healthcare system and consulted with her provider about infertility services. Regarding the approval process, the authorization covers ART/IVF treatment for the Veteran and her spouse.

The actual cost of reproductive therapy impacts families and their communities. Access to discount programs and fertility grants enhances the opportunity for obstetrics equality. Organizations like Fertility For Colored Girls (FFCG) endeavor to “help individuals and couples of color experiencing infertility build the family of their dreams.” According to the FFCG website, grant awards cover the following items:

Likewise, EMD Serono Fertility savings programs “are designed to make fertility treatments more affordable for anyone pursuing fertility treatment who qualifies based on financial need or military status.” Price points for medications manufactured by EMD-S (Gonal-f, Ovidrel, Cetrotide) are reduced for eligible self-pay patients. Clients reportedly receive a response to submitted applications in less than 5 minutes.

Reproductive therapy is a personal journey comprised of several emotional twists and turns. Mitigate the anxiety of receiving unexpected bills by empowering your family with the facts about baseline IVF treatment costs.

Part 2 - Med Dash

Now that the appointments and laboratory visits have concluded, it's time to transition into the next phase of Kelly and Roman's in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey. A Reproductive Endocrinologist at the University of Washington Reproductive Clinic (UWRC) assessed Kelly's demographics, medical history, and various health factors to determine the best IVF protocol.

The Doctor assigned an Estrogen Priming Antagonist (EPA) regimen with a long list of medications for fulfillment at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center (SVAMC) pharmacy. Kelly and Roman graciously shared their personal checklist and helpful tips about finding specialized pharmaceuticals not included in the SVAMC formulary.

Unfortunately, tallying the total expenses for Kelly's IVF cycle was less cut and dry than the family initially anticipated. After accepting her marching orders for the first round of stimulation medications, the couple received the following instructions via the UW MyChart portal.

The news sounded the alarm that couples should anticipate added costs, some totaling thousands of dollars when entering the second phase of IVF. Earlier, we discussed the SEOC covered by Kelly's VAMC ART/IVF referral, including pharmaceutical services. Thus, the focus of the hopeful parents-to-be quickly shifted toward consulting with the SVAMC pharmacy to fill the prescriptions.

"Getting so many instructions while simultaneously coordinating med pickup was really hectic. It was a blessing to have our questions expedited to the Seattle VA pharmacy through secure messenger."

Kelly

To say that IVF stimulation drugs are distinctively designed is an understatement. But, visiting the VA National Formulary after protocol receipt should alleviate concerns regarding the accessibility of your medicine. Veterans Affairs states, "The VA National Formulary is a listing of products (drugs and supplies) that must be available for prescription at all VA facilities, and cannot be made non-formulary…" Kelly and Roman were fortunate to secure most of her prescriptions at the SVAMC immediately; however, several drugs required additional time for fulfillment.

"Lupron and Cetrorelix required a special review by the SVAMC procurement team because they didn’t have it stored in-house.
So, we worked with the Pharmacists to ensure that the process wasn’t delayed."

Roman

Getting ahead of the med dash process reduces anxiety during a time when emotions are highest. Despite an initial uptick in stress, our couple reported feeling relieved after the drugs were in hand, which spanned roughly 5-7 days and cost north of $30,000.

Part 3 - The Final Bill

The UWRC healthcare team closely monitored Kelly and Roman as the couple entered the stimulation phase of their in vitro fertilization cycle. The process comprised administering fertility medications to stimulate the development and maturation of multiple eggs (oocytes) within the ovaries. In addition, Kelly underwent routine ultrasound scans, hormone level measurements, and telemedicine visits with the Reproductive Endocrinologist.

As stimulation progresses, the fertility specialist adjusts medication dosages to ensure optimal follicle development, with each containing a mature egg. Determining the appropriate time for the next step is based on frequent Mommy healthcare assessments.

When her ovarian follicles reached the desired size and maturity, Kelly received a trigger shot of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The injection helped induce the final maturation of the oocytes within the follicles, preparing the couple for retrieval. Remember that in the last days leading up to the egg retrieval procedure, certain hormones may be prescribed to prevent premature ovulation and optimize your chances of success.

The egg retrieval procedure occurs approximately 36 hours after the trigger shot for most women. Hopeful mothers are typically given anesthesia or light sedation to ensure maximum comfort during the operation. First, a thin needle was inserted into Kelly's ovaries through the vagina, guided by ultrasound imaging.

Next, her ovarian follicles were aspirated, and biological fluid containing the developing oocytes was collected. Then, the sample was transferred to the embryology laboratory, where it was microscopically examined. Finally, the viable eggs were identified, isolated, and cryopreserved.

The in vitro fertilization journey concludes at this juncture for some couples, with others choosing to pursue pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). Overall, IVF costs vary significantly depending on geographical location, the respective clinic or fertility center, specialized medication regimens, laboratory tests, and procedures.

It's important to note that medical coverage reimbursement for in vitro fertilization varies widely. At the time of printing, 80% of MSM audience members reported, "The cost of fertility treatment should be covered by all health insurance plans." Consult with your insurance provider to determine the full extent of your treatment options. In addition, it's best to meet with fertility clinics or centers in your local area to obtain an accurate estimate for IVF. Reproductive specialists can provide detailed information about the costs involved and help shed light on the potential expenses specific to your situation.