IUI vs. IVF, and Insurance

desertheart · July 2014

After testing, my RE feels that my DH is the issue. His SA was meh-- not the worst but not wonderful. And so they continued testing on me to be sure. He now has an appointment with a urologist who specializes in IF in late August.

The RE said there is a likelihood we are looking at IUI and possibly IVF. He said there is no exact science for the wash and that the SA numbers are on the border. He said we could take our chances with the IUI, but if they do the wash and the sample is not viable, then we've lost about $500. But IVF is more exact.

Our insurance covers 50% of IF costs up to $7,000 in a lifetime, and that would include all the tests we've already had. DH and I have the same coverage though individual policies since we both work at the same place, so not sure which part of the procedures would be attributed to whose policy.

I know it's early, and we still need to see the urologist, but I just want to start weighing all our options. I am leaning to try the IUI, because something inside of me wants this to be as close to natural as possible. But on the other hand we are taking our chances, when that money could be put toward IVF.

Guess I'm just looking for some insight or wisdom from you ladies. Thoughts? Experiences?

BunnyBerry · July 2014

If it was just a question of finances and the SA was questionable for IUI, I would lean heavily toward IVF since you 50% coverage. But I'm pretty sure my DH would convince me to wait on treatment for him and see if we could get the numbers into strong IUI territory.

Also, since it's a lifetime limit, if I was hoping for more than 1 child, I would seriously consider IVF, with the higher chances for twins and the chance for snowflakes. But again, I think Mr. Practical would convince me that we could pay for a whole lot of IUIs with that same money.

Good luck with whatever you choose! I hope the uro has excellent ideas for making a big difference, quickly.

desertheart · July 2014

Thanks, Bunny.

It's such a tough choice. I feel as if there is logic in both. I hope the uro can help, too. I am hoping for something treatable, so we can at least get his numbers up to use IUI. But either way the one positive is that my RE is confident that I am ovulating regularly.

And of course the uro the RE referred to wasn't in network.

catlover790 · July 2014

I'm sorry a about your DH's SA. I think there are many sides to deciding and I'm sure it's a tough decision for you. If it were me I think I would want to at least try an IUI because I know my DH would probably want to start with that, and also if it's borderline like you said there's a chance it could work. Also, I'm not sure how the insurance would work but that's pretty good coverage (comparatively) so it would be a lot less overall even if you did have to move on to ivf.

I hope the appointment in August will give you more answers and help you make a decision. Good luck!

desertheart · July 2014

Thanks, @catlover790. Yes, we are lucky to have at least that coverage.

desertheart · July 2014

Ok, now I am freaking out. I am sure I read about the coverage up to $7,000 but that was back before I had my own policy. Now when I look through the insurance coverage on our HR paperwork, nothing is mentioned about IF. And Anthem's website says they do not cover it, though I've read on forums Anthem provided some coverage (guess it depends on the state).

desertheart · July 2014

Whew, okay found it on a different document. But the lifetime limit is actually $5,000.

catlover790 · July 2014

I'm glad you found it! Hmm, is the 5000 for you and an additional 5000 for your DH? How does that work?

I hope the urologist can help you get some more answers! I've also heard doing an IUI first can help see how you respond to meds before doing an ivf (I'm not sure a lot about it though since I'm still newer to some of the treatments). Good luck!

TLooney17 · July 2014

We are in a similar situation except my DH's SA is bad not borderline. His numbers did improve after being treated by a uro, so we have tried 2 IUI's. We are in the 2 ww for #2 right now. Our post wash numbers are not good though, so our next stop is probably ivf. We have a $5,000 lifetime max for IF as well, but that does not include medications. I don't regret trying the IUI's, because they are so much less invasive/ expensive. I think it's worth it to try before moving to ivf.

MrsLolaSky · July 2014

My DH and I are deciding how many IUIs we are willing to try given his numbers. (We found out in late May/early June.) For now, we've decided to do one IUI next month even though we're concerned that the post-wash numbers will be low.

We were also told IVF-ICSI is our best shot, but we're considering waiting to see whether a varicocelectomy will help my DH's numbers. (My DH's hormones were also all normal, but his urologist still put him on clomiphene to see if things improve in three months. We're not expecting it to work.)

Anyways, tough decisions! But I've gotten some great feedback from girls on this board about this. And it looks like you're getting some good feedback, too.

Definitely let me know what you end up deciding to do. Good luck to you!

desertheart · July 2014

Thanks, y'all. Sorry I am a little buzzed bc I am home by myself and AF came, so I am drinking a bottle of wine. Why not? For two years I've been turning away booze in the hopes I might be pregnant. There's that and the hundreds of dollars I've flushed down the toilet POAS.

@Catlover790, that is really interesting about IUI being an indicator. And as far as what procedures the insurance attributes to whom...I've started to wonder about that. I mean if we use up my 5,000, does he get an additional 5,000. Bc even though it's me carrying the baby and having the bulk of the procedure to make it happen, he is the one (possibly) who is infertile.

Damn it and here I've gone my whole life thinking having a baby would be simple. To top all of this off, we've had issues with our house that we are buying, which is another way we are trying to put our ducks in a row if it comes to foster/adoption. Right now we are in house that we can't even foster a child in. I'm just a mess tonight bc my DH is in England, and I'm far away from all my friends and family. The guy I was in love with in college announced he is having a baby boy. And AF came to town after I was sure I was going to get a miraculous BFP. F***!!

I will let y'all know what the uro says.

catlover790 · July 2014

I'm sorry you are having a tough time and AF came! I too thought having a baby would be so fun and easy, haha yeah right. I hope you enjoy your wine tonight and feel better soon!

desertheart · July 2014

@catlover790 yup, making a baby is no longer fun. Thanks....I might be enjoying it too much.

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