Switching RE?? Thoughts please

JessandJeremy · April 2012

After the advice of one of the parents at my school I started researching another RE in the area. we are going to need IVF and here are the break downs of fees.

Current RE: Cost is 22,000 plus meds. 6 fresh IVF with ICSI plus any FETS. 100% refundable if i don't bring a live baby home from the hospital. Pro: One of my parents is a nurse and can give me some of my medication. Plus they brought me Ethan....i feel a littlepartial.

New RE: Cost is 20,500 plus meds. 7 fresh IVF with ICSI plus any FETS. 100% refundable if I don't bring a live baby home from the hospital. Pro: Obviosuly the cost difference and this program has the highest success rate in the area for the last 5 years.

Mouseygail · April 2012

How different are the success rates? if its pretty minimal, I'd be inclined to stick with my RE...the cost difference could fairly easily be made up by any med assistance your friend can give you...and...you sound comfortable there!

MBandBud · April 2012

For the scheme of things - I don't think I would switch. $1500 seems like a lot, but you had previous success. IDK. Did you just look into it because or do you have hesitations about your current RE? Do you mind me asking where you go or are considering (I am near you).

I also wonder if the new clinic would make you redo some tests or something that is not included. I know we have packages but some of the fees are not in there (some pre-tests, etc.)

JessandJeremy · April 2012

MBandBud:

For the scheme of things - I don't think I would switch. $1500 seems like a lot, but you had previous success. IDK. Did you just look into it because or do you have hesitations about your current RE? Do you mind me asking where you go or are considering (I am near you).

I also wonder if the new clinic would make you redo some tests or something that is not included. I know we have packages but some of the fees are not in there (some pre-tests, etc.)

Nothing else is making me second guess my RE. (I go to Shady Grove and am considering Virginia Center) Where do you go?

pinkcallalily · April 2012

I don't think the difference in cost would be enough to make me change if you are happy with Shady Grove. It's a lot of money, but when you are talking about such a large amount overall the difference doesn't seem like that much. However, my opinion is biased because I loved Shady Grove and wouldn't want to leave them. I really don't think the number of IVFs covered matters because I believe it will work for you pretty quickly since you've already had a baby through IUI. I don't know the other RE's success rates, but Shady Groves are pretty good and I think you would have good results at either place.

Everyone I know that has done fertility treatments has gone to Shady Grove and from what I know they have all been happy with them, but I'm sure the other place is great as well.

njdcgirl · April 2012

Jess - I went to VCR.M for Andrew (after 2 cycles at another clinic, not SG). Is that what you are talking about? His success rates are very, very good. We would defintle use him again if we were going to cycle again - even from NJ. The climic is very different from what id guess SG is (or our large clinic was) VCR.M is very small, not as flexible with appointments, and honestly the dr is kind of arrogant. My cycle with him was also very different then my previous ones. He immediately put me on modified SB, got me on metformin, had DH taking some supplements, and I took a ton of stuff during my cycle too (and added acupuncture). We did have to redo some tests for him.

All said, I highly recommend him, but if you've been happy w/ SG I'm not sure if you should switch. Both shared risk programs sound very good. Maybe do a consult with him and see how you feel? I can't remember if we had to pay for ours - I think insurance covered it, but I had some IF coverage. Let me know if you want any more details - I'm on my phone now but can give you more info later if you want.

DrVWife · April 2012

If it were me...I would stay with my current RE. I think unless there is a valid reason, it is better to stick with your team. They know your body and your cycles. Good luck how ever you decide!

Radler · April 2012

I agree with the others that I wouldn't switch based just on that price difference. But I did want to recommend D.o.minion if you have not checked their costs. I did monitoring there rather than drive further to SG and liked the staff very much. They also have great success rates. And they do natural cycle IVF which, though controversial (I believe SG has a policy against it), is much less expensive, and in my mind makes a lot of sense for certain patients. Just a thought. (They do regular IVF with stims, too.)

MBandBud · April 2012

I go to Shady Grove - Mottla in Annapolis. They are huge but I liked their experience level - and we had success with IVF #1. I also am not sure how the %'s work - I would be sure that when looking at stats you compare based on diagnosis. I feel like a larger clinic might have more of a specific diagnosis that could lower their overall numbers.

I agree that to me the diff between 6-7 cycles is minimal - esp given your experience.

BUT if you are looking into another clinic b/c you have apprehensions maybe you want to consider - I just hate the thought of starting over and grass greener concept...

perry7285 · April 2012

i think for me it would depend on whether the difference in success rates was significant. you really need to go through those with a fine toothed comb to see which rates are relevant for your age and diagnosis. if there was a significant difference in success rates, i would switch.

KayJayDee · April 2012

We went to Shady Grove (Leesburg) and I loved them! Although, we only ever did IUIs, not IVF. I'd stay where I was, but I'm also lazy when it comes to starting over all over again with transferring records, getting tests repeated, etc. On the other hand, it's not just $1500, it's also an extra cycle, so it might not be a bad idea to at least make an appt for a consult and see what kind of vibe you get from the dr. Ultimately, I think you need to go with your gut.

JessandJeremy · April 2012

KayJayDee:
We went to Shady Grove (Leesburg) and I loved them! Although, we only ever did IUIs, not IVF. I'd stay where I was, but I'm also lazy when it comes to starting over all over again with transferring records, getting tests repeated, etc. On the other hand, it's not just $1500, it's also an extra cycle, so it might not be a bad idea to at least make an appt for a consult and see what kind of vibe you get from the dr. Ultimately, I think you need to go with your gut.

I see Dr Khan too! Who was your nurse?

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Switching RE?? Thoughts please

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