Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

I'm seriously considering not doing this at all because it's a $12,000 gamble with a 50/50 chance.

I can cope with the BFN aspect b/c I've btdt many times, but not with the fact that half our life's savings is gone. We would need to wait another few years before we could attempt another. Even the FET (assuming there are embryos) would be a few months to a year wait to try again at $4000.

We know there are issues with me getting pregnant (tubal) but what if there are unknown issues with me staying pregnant. Getting pregnant, m/c AND being out $12,000 would be the ultimate slap in the face.

Message edited 12/16/2011 8:51:19 AM.

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

I felt the same way. For my first IVF I hyperstimulated and had to hold off on a fresh transfer and then did 2 FETs......both resulting in chemicals. Few months later we switched doctors to Dr. Cohen at North Shore. They have a refund program there (thats not why we chose north shore) which allowed for 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles for about $20,000. If you do not get pregnant or have a "take home baby", you get a certain percentage back. I felt it was very much worth it. Luckily, after almost 3 years of IF struggles, we got pregnant on our first fresh cycle. So for us it was SOOO worth . Wishing you lots of luck!

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

You're not alone I'm paying OOP too. I've had 2 unsuccessful ivf cycles and many unsuccessful iui's. We're financially drained and I'm starting to wonder if I should continue my journey. I want a family but I don't want to go bankrupt in trying. I wish I had positive words or a good suggestion for you but I'm at a loss too. Hang in there and stand by your decision whatever it is.

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

I am not sure who your doctor is but you may want to ask if they have some sort of refund program. I also dont have any RX coverage and when possible, my doctor helped provide me with some donations from others. We are unexplained, and part of me just really wanted a diagnosis so GHI would possibly cover ivf. After 3 docs, no diagnosis was to be found. You have to do what is right for you and your DH.

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

I have heard of the refund programs but $20K is out of the question. We barely have the $12K. And we are in the process of buying a house so its not like we have all this money floating around. It realy should be mandatory for ins cos to cover this stuff. They will pay for unlimited iuis but that will cost more over a few years so they should just pay for the ivf.

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

I say go for it! We are paying out of pockey for all IUI & IVF surgeries and all meds....its very difficult, but we say no alternative. That being we are right smack in the middle of IVF, so I can't say where we will be a in a couple of months should this not work. We are doing a refi on our house so that will help us this time...

Good luck! I totally understand how you feel, hang in there!!

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

Posted by bringonthebaby

I have heard of the refund programs but $20K is out of the question. We barely have the $12K. And we are in the process of buying a house so its not like we have all this money floating around. It realy should be mandatory for ins cos to cover this stuff. They will pay for unlimited iuis but that will cost more over a few years so they should just pay for the ivf.

Re: Those of you paying 100% OOP for IVF- how did you cope?

We paid OOP for our first IVF and it failed. Of course we were crushed! We had to do 2 more FETs before getting pregnant. It was not easy financially. We had to just do whatever we could to make it work. After we had our son, we had to do more OOP fertility treatments, including FET, IUI and IVF. YES, we struggled... tremendously! We put off buying a house among other sacrifices.

But I promise you, it's all worth it. Look at my avatar... I could not ask for more than a sweet little baby boy and 2 more on the way.

Are we broke? HECK YES! But we are so happy