Thoughts on IVF Shared Risk?

Brummy14

We've just starting thinking about this seriously this week -- after getting the message that we may be headed down the IVF path far earlier than expected.

That said, we're seriously debating going forward with their shared risk program -- not because we think it really makes financial sense (the odds obviously play out on the RE's favor, or they would never offer the program), but for us, I think that extra cost and the assurance that we either have a live birth or get a 70% refund when all is said and done (the program covers 3 Fresh rounds + 3 FET if we have anything to freeze over the course of 24 months)...is seeming like more than worth the extra $$ at this point.

It's crazy for me to think this -- heck, I'm essentially a statistician for a living, and this goes against all of my better judgement, but I think we both know that IVF is a going to be a difficult enough experience, that if we just put the additional $$ up front, we might go in with a better mindset. And, "worst case," if we are successful on the first go, I'm pretty sure neither of us will regret the extra money we put up to begin with -- sure it's a significant amount, but in the grand scheme of things, not that significant at all.

Any thoughts/experiences with this as you all have gone through the IVF process? 

crene84

I didn't do any type of plan, but I would say it depends on your situation.  Of course each doctor has general statistics, but your RE really should be able to look at your specific situation and give you their best opinion of your chances of success on the first try.  Of course, having said that, you never know what's going to happen for sure.  Also, double check what is included in the package.  For me, meds alone can be up to $6,000, and that was not included in any package. GL!

kellygksu

I looked into this because, like you, I just wanted to added insurance that we'd either get a baby or get some money back, eventually.  With my dx (endo stage 3 or 4,) I was only eligible for the 3 fresh/3 frozen plan w/ the money back plan.  This didn't include meds.  The cost w/o meds was about $36,000.  I spoke with a financial specialist at my clinic, and she said that in her time there (quite awhile I think) only one person had ever done this and gotten the refund; most were pregnant by this time.  So we aren't doing it.  I know I might regret it, but it just didn't make financial sense for us at this time.  GL, whatever you decide!

kellyrn9956

We are currently saving for it now. We will need $26,000 for the program, which includes the following:

• 6 fresh IVF cycles
• Any FET's of embryos from those cycles
• Medications for all 6 fresh cycles

If we do not have a live birth, we get 100% back. For me, the question was is one successful IVF cycle worth $26,000 for me. And for us, the answer is a resounding yes. Considering that $13-15,000 is the average rate for IVF with meds per cycle in my area, the shared risk just makes sense for us.

If we do not have success with 6 IVF's and how every many FET's we get, we will take the refund and use it toward adoption. So this also gives me the comfort that we won't just be throwing away money. For us, it's totally the best option.

HOWEVER, our clinic requires that the female be under the age of 37.5 before the first cycle, cannot have any known ovarian reserve issues, and cannot have had any prior IVF's. So we need to know upfront that this is what we will do.

Brummy14

crene84:

I didn't do any type of plan, but I would say it depends on your situation.  Of course each doctor has general statistics, but your RE really should be able to look at your specific situation and give you their best opinion of your chances of success on the first try.  Of course, having said that, you never know what's going to happen for sure.  Also, double check what is included in the package.  For me, meds alone can be up to $6,000, and that was not included in any package. GL!

Thanks -- the program does not include meds, but we have some pretty solid insurance coverage for meds (which has made our first injects cycle very affordable). And, we have some level of monitoring coverage in terms of u/s, etc -- so not sure how/if that would factor in when all is said and done. Lots to consider, for sure!

kathrynlo

Brummy14:

crene84:

I didn't do any type of plan, but I would say it depends on your situation.  Of course each doctor has general statistics, but your RE really should be able to look at your specific situation and give you their best opinion of your chances of success on the first try.  Of course, having said that, you never know what's going to happen for sure.  Also, double check what is included in the package.  For me, meds alone can be up to $6,000, and that was not included in any package. GL!

Thanks -- the program does not include meds, but we have some pretty solid insurance coverage for meds (which has made our first injects cycle very affordable). And, we have some level of monitoring coverage in terms of u/s, etc -- so not sure how/if that would factor in when all is said and done. Lots to consider, for sure!

I have not yet gone down the IVF road, but DH and I have been having some serious talks about it in the past few weeks. My office does not have a shared risk program, but I just wanted to warn you about insurance. I am lucky enough to have amazing insurance and only have a small co-pay for my injects and no copays for u/s, that being said, my insurance does not cover any u/s or meds for IVF cycles. My insurance does not cover anything at all for IVF, anything that is coded for IVF is not covered. So please be sure to check with you insurance first.

kellyrn9956

kathrynlo:

Brummy14:

crene84:

I didn't do any type of plan, but I would say it depends on your situation.  Of course each doctor has general statistics, but your RE really should be able to look at your specific situation and give you their best opinion of your chances of success on the first try.  Of course, having said that, you never know what's going to happen for sure.  Also, double check what is included in the package.  For me, meds alone can be up to $6,000, and that was not included in any package. GL!

Thanks -- the program does not include meds, but we have some pretty solid insurance coverage for meds (which has made our first injects cycle very affordable). And, we have some level of monitoring coverage in terms of u/s, etc -- so not sure how/if that would factor in when all is said and done. Lots to consider, for sure!

I have not yet gone down the IVF road, but DH and I have been having some serious talks about it in the past few weeks. My office does not have a shared risk program, but I just wanted to warn you about insurance. I am lucky enough to have amazing insurance and only have a small co-pay for my injects and no copays for u/s, that being said, my insurance does not cover any u/s or meds for IVF cycles. My insurance does not cover anything at all for IVF, anything that is coded for IVF is not covered. So please be sure to check with you insurance first.

Yes, if IVF is not covered, the meds for it are also not covered for the majority of insurance plans. I actually just called mine to ask about this. ANYTHING related to IVF is a non-covered service.

racheyt0227

kathrynlo:

Brummy14:

crene84:

I didn't do any type of plan, but I would say it depends on your situation.  Of course each doctor has general statistics, but your RE really should be able to look at your specific situation and give you their best opinion of your chances of success on the first try.  Of course, having said that, you never know what's going to happen for sure.  Also, double check what is included in the package.  For me, meds alone can be up to $6,000, and that was not included in any package. GL!

Thanks -- the program does not include meds, but we have some pretty solid insurance coverage for meds (which has made our first injects cycle very affordable). And, we have some level of monitoring coverage in terms of u/s, etc -- so not sure how/if that would factor in when all is said and done. Lots to consider, for sure!

I have not yet gone down the IVF road, but DH and I have been having some serious talks about it in the past few weeks. My office does not have a shared risk program, but I just wanted to warn you about insurance. I am lucky enough to have amazing insurance and only have a small co-pay for my injects and no copays for u/s, that being said, my insurance does not cover any u/s or meds for IVF cycles. My insurance does not cover anything at all for IVF, anything that is coded for IVF is not covered. So please be sure to check with you insurance first.

 

This is me. My insurance will cover cycles/meds for iui, but absolutely nothing for IVF...I am now in the process of getting the needed meds either by donation on here/from friends/or having to buy them now we are going forth with IFV. It sucks!

 

As for the Shared Risk; we are still contemplating this. We are speaking with the financial counselor tomorrow & will have to make a decision at some point soon. Our RE gave us a 70% chance of success on our 1st shot, but I am more worried about c/p; miscarriages, etc. I really don't know what is the right thing to do. I am hoping we will have a lot of eggs & then have some to freeze just in case but it is def a risk. GL in your decision. 

farmerlynda

I was a stellar candidate for IVF (young, nothing wrong with me, MFI diagnosis) and was given a 65% chance of success.  To be safe, we paid extra money for a refund plan that included all FETs for a year. 

My IVF cycle went disastrously and we ended up with no frosties.  We at least have money to pay for IVF #2 because of the refund, but I wish we'd paid a bit more for the plan that included multiple IVF cycles.  Of course, it didn't "make sense" for us -- with an AFC of 20+, and 34 eggs retrieved, who would have believed we wouldn't end up with extra embies for FETs?  But we did.

So now I'm a huge believer in shared risk and refund programs, because you never know.  And one thing I didn't realize is that once you have a failed IVF behind you, you no longer qualify for any reasonable sort of plan.  At this point I'm screwed, and unless I want to shell out $40K for a three-cycle, 70%-refund, no-meds-included plan, which barely saves me money unless everything fails, I will have to pay completely OOP for individual cycles.

racheyt0227

Lynda-I didn't think of the being screwed thing re shared risk. Meaning I am still in the what do do stage & was thinking maybe we try 1 cycle & if that failed miserably, then go to the shared risk, but that may not be an option then..Hmmm..I think I know the right thing to do is the shared risk (mine is 3 fresh & any frozen available with 70% back if no baby) The single plan would be around 13K & shared risk would be 24K (not including meds/storage/anesthesia)

datagirl79

thoughts from a lurker:

We invested in the shared risk, 3 IVF, 3 FET.  We are half way into at this point (used 2 IVF, 1 FET).  We were given a high chance of success with round one, but after each round, we kept discovering more and more things.  Having the shared risk for us has been a blessing because we couldn't have afforded multiple treatments.

If you are thinking of just doing one, then I would suggest you have EVERYTHING checked out before you start.  (We discovered endo after the fact, we discovered poor egg quality after the fact)  I would do everything you can to maximize that one try.   Hindsight is 20/20 and I wish I would have had someone tell me that.

 

btaylor19

I would have done shared risk in a heartbeat if we had qualified.  I liked the idea that no matter what happened, we would either get a child or most of our money back.  The fact that we are paying per cycle and if it doesn't work it is just money down the drain is killing me.

maggie2324

I personally would not do a shared risk program. They're just too d@mn expensive. If the shared risk costs more than two IVF cycles alone, then it's not worth it in my eyes. 

Personally, I would be more upset if I paid so much for a shared risk program and the first IVF worked, than if I didn't and the first one didn't work. They're out to make money and only a minority benefit from them. 

hootie123

I'm not doing a shared risk - although I did pay upfront for two IVF cycles b/c it was a 'deal'.  That said I never in a million years would have thought that I would now be on my third IVF.  Its not a sure thing - at all.   If you can afford it - I would think the shared risk would be worth every penny. 

KSTAR99

I agree...With our first IVF we decided to take the risk and not do the shared risk program. In the end we got lucky...but when we decided to try again we weren't so lucky and I wish we would have done it. It would have saved us a lot of money...Now we are saving for IVF #3.

MsGMChick

Come Jan we'll be doing the shard risk IVF program as well.