Shady Grove Fertility? and a new job? Oh my.

sr1220 · October 2010

Hi ladies!

First of all, I wanted to know if anyone has any experience (good or bad) with Shady Grove. Their website is amazing and I am considering getting a second opinion from them and looking into their shared risk program.

Second, in my effort to find ways to make this work for us from a financial standpoint, I found out that there is a company about 10 miles from our home that offers $15k in fertility benefits to full time employees. I don't know much more than that at this point, but I wondered if anyone has done anything like that in order to make IVF happen?

mjm579 · October 2010

First of all, best wishes to you in your fertility journey!

I was just on their website the other night, they are too far for me, but interesting that someone was asking about them.

Regarding changing your job. I didn't have to change my job, just so happens that my insurance options changed and one of the plans offered fertility coverage.

Be cautious about switching jobs to cover fertility....I only say this bc a new job can offer loads of new stress. Last thing you need when you are going through the stress of infertility is extra stress. Also, IVF appts can consume a lot of time. I had to miss quite a bit of work, so before changing jobs, find out how flexible the new practice and/or new employer are about medical appts. Another factor to consider, when you get pregnant and short term disability. Often employers offer 3 days of short term dis for each month of employment. So if you are with the company for 9 months, you will get 27 days (just shy of 6 weeks, which is typical for a natural delivery). Be prepared to return to work after 27 days in the event of a c-section....or save up your vacation with the new employer to cover the difference.

Either way, I know how important having a child can be. So definitely consider all of your options.

If the new employer offers infertility benefits, do they have insurance that might also cover it? During the interview, ask them what insurance they offer. You might be able to answer the IF question with a quick google search.

Will the new position be more or less stressful? Less stressful, definitely consider it.

Does this new job offer a pay increase? Decrease?

Best wishes to you!

genmalone · October 2010

I know nothing about Shady Grove Fertility but just wanted to say good luck.

As for changing jobs for fertility coverage, I understand where you're coming from. My DH & I have been having the same conversation. He's actively looking for a new job so I'm praying his next job will have IF coverage. Otherwise, I may consider looking myself. My insurance is terrible and won't even cover diagnostics. Everything that I spend doesn't even go towards my deductible.

I agree that you may want to be careful but you've got to do what works for you. I wish you the best of luck!

bustle · October 2010

I go to Shady Grove and love them so far! I have been going since the early summer. Everyone is always very nice and patient. They explain everything to you and are great at getting you appts. that work for you.

GL!

Temp984666312503071 · October 2010

**ticker warnings**

I can't sleep so I have been reading every board. I thought I would chime in...

My DD is the result of an IVF cycle at Shady Grove. I went to their Annapolis office and saw Dr. McKeeby.

I loved it there! It is the biggest infertility clinic in the US and handles over 4,000 cycles of IVF per year. Because of this, some women find them to be a "baby factory" and not as personal as a much smaller clinic. I personally felt that they did a good job organizing their staff so that you felt like a person. I had my own nurse who called me every day and who I could call. My doctor was accesible if I needed him. And the fact that they are such a large organization means that they have GREAT equiptment, embriologists, and researchers and have a very good success rate. They are leaders in the field and there are MANY doctors putting their heads together on your behalf.

As for IF coverage - you will have to crunch the numbers there obviously. Does the job pay as much as your current one? Are there bonuses (non coverage related) that you might get at one job and not another? The $15,000 is only good if you are getting all of your old pay and benefits along with it (and think HOURS - time is worth money, vacation time, etc). Also, read the fine print of the IF coverage. Are there limitations? What does it cover exactly?

I had great IF coverage ($100,000 lifetime cap, up to 3 fresh IVF cycles, all FETs, etc) with my job but there as a slew of limitations - from age, to how long you have been married, to what your dx is...

Good luck!!

MegannJay · October 2010

sweetheart18:

My DD is the result of an IVF cycle at Shady Grove. I went to their Annapolis office and saw Dr. McKeeby.

I go there and see him too! No success yet but I'm praying this cycle works. Like sweetheart said, it's an awesome place but can kind of feel like a baby factory. I've never felt like I was being ignored or not listened to though and most of the doctors/nurses/ u/s techs know me by name now (which is good and bad... means I've been going there too long!:P) I'd at least check it out if I were you.

As for changing jobs, not sure about that but good luck with whatever you decide.

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Shady Grove Fertility? and a new job? Oh my.

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