| It is not easy to accept that you are infertile. You | | | | example, if the person on the phone states that no |
| have been trying for months, maybe even years, to | | | | fertility treatment is covered but your policy states |
| conceive and do what millions of women do each and | | | | otherwise, you are now armed with information to |
| every year yet this seems like it is an impossibility. | | | | successfully argue for some kind of reimbursement |
| However, there are treatment options for you to | | | | and coverage. Check to see if you are able to use |
| get pregnant if you are deemed infertile. Most | | | | your flexible spending account to cover the cost or |
| women and couples hastily make the decision to go | | | | part of the cost of treatments. You should see if |
| this route when they are having problems getting | | | | your employer offers it as a benefit and check to |
| pregnant as they are frustrated or, if you are over | | | | see if fertility treatments are an accepted use for |
| the age of 40, feel that the window of opportunity | | | | the money. They typically are but you will want |
| is fast closing. It is true that it is easier for women to | | | | confirmation from your employer. |
| get pregnant when they are in their 20s as opposed | | | | Another employer-provided benefit that you may use |
| to their 40s but before you make the decision to | | | | is a dipping into your 401(k) plan to provide the |
| undergo fertility treatments, you should really think | | | | funding. It is up to your discretion as to whether or |
| about what this entails. | | | | not you should do this or even if your 401(k) plan |
| Putting aside the heavy emotional toll you and your | | | | allows you to do this but you will want to see if this |
| partner will surely experience, you also must factor in | | | | is an option for you. It may turn out that you cannot |
| costs. You may feel like there is nothing that will stop | | | | or it may be that you do not feel you should. Either |
| you from raising a child but the sad fact is, finances | | | | way, it is a good idea to see what all of your options |
| determine a lot in our lives and fertility treatments | | | | are before making an important decision like this. |
| are no different. To give you an idea of how much | | | | Other common options are taking out loans or even |
| and how quickly these treatments cost, in vitro | | | | maxing out credit cards. Again, this is completely up |
| fertilization costs between $8,000 and $15,000 per | | | | to you but make sure you can afford to do this. An |
| cycle. The final cost will depend on how complicated | | | | option that you may not know of is IVF Refund |
| your treatment is which relies on numerous factors. | | | | Programs. |
| Consider that some couples undergo as many as | | | | Check with your fertility clinic if this is offered and |
| three or four IVF treatments, the cost can prove to | | | | see if you qualify. In short, IVF Refund Programs |
| be a crushing financial burden. Only you and your | | | | work when infertile couples pay for a set number of |
| partner can decide how much you are willing to | | | | IVF treatments upfront. If the couple does not get |
| spend but as you can see, it is very expensive. You | | | | pregnant within the set number of treatment cycles, |
| may not realize this but your insurance provider may | | | | the couple gets partial refund or maybe even an |
| be able to pay for part of your fertility treatments | | | | entire refund. It is worthwhile to see if your fertility |
| so it is a good idea to find out from your insurance | | | | clinic offers this and if you even qualify. If you do not |
| provider what fertility treatments are covered by | | | | have a fertility clinic and this option seems appealing |
| your plan, if any treatments are covered at all. Now, | | | | to you, find one that offers this. Getting pregnant is |
| many reproductive specialists do not take insurance, | | | | expensive particularly if you need a little help. |
| do not assume you are not covered. | | | | This is especially true if you are over the age of 40 |
| You should still try to make a claim yourself and get | | | | as your fertility, unfortunately, is not as it once was. |
| reimbursed yourself. Reading your insurance policy is | | | | However, it does not mean you do not have options. |
| a daunting endeavor but it will be worth it as footing | | | | Obviously you do. Make sure you really think long and |
| the entire bill for fertility treatments can get out of | | | | hard about each option and decide where to draw |
| control. Read to see what your limitations are and | | | | the line. It could be an emotional line or a financial one |
| what the coverage requirements are. Then, call your | | | | but if you prepare now to deal with these figurative |
| insurance provider and ask more questions. For | | | | lines, the better off you will be. |