Not everyone is fortunate enough to have insurance coverage for their infertility treatments and medications. When I added up the total amount of money I had spent during my 5 years of IUI’s, IVF’s, procedures, medications and consultations I was shocked to see that the bill for all of this closely approached 6 figures. Gulp.

There are ways that you can save money:

1. Talk to the financial consultant at your fertility clinic. Within each practice is someone who has a vast knowledge of the various insurance company policies and can help weed through the technical wording to uncover exactly what you are entitled to. Don’t assume that because your insurance company doesn’t cover IVF or IUI, that nothing else is covered. You may still be covered for some bloodwork and some of the tests depending on what your diagnosis is. Another option is Serono’s Fertility Lifelines (866-LETS-TRY). By calling, a specialist will take down your insurance information help with a pre-screening of whatever medication benefits you are entitled to.

2. Shop around for medications. The major drug chains may have great pricing on antibiotics and Viagra, but their pricing on items such as Clomid or Gonadotropins may not be so wonderful. There are many specialty fertility pharmacies out there that may have better pricing. Don’t be afraid to research and go beyond your neighborhood. Most fertility pharmacies will overnight your medications to you at no additional cost. If you have found a pharmacy online, check their credibility. Make sure they are licensed in the US and have a phone number handy so that you can speak to a live person. They MUST, by law, ask you for your prescription. If you should need assistance in finding a pharmacy that specializes in fertility, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Several of the manufacturers of fertility medications also have programs that could save you money on your prescription. Serono, who produces Gonal-F, typically has some kind of money saving program in place. It varies and changes, so we suggest checking their website often. Ferring has their HEART program saving you money on Bravelle, Menopur, Endometrin and Novarel.

3. Don’t be too proud to let your clinic or “cycle buddies” know that treatment is putting a strain on your wallet. During one cycle, I was lucky enough to be speaking with the receptionist who informed me that meds had just arrived for a patient who had chosen to stop fertility treatments. I was able to purchase that patient’s medication for a fraction of what I would have paid at a pharmacy.

4. Infertility Scholarships and Grants. There are several organizations that will help fund treatments.

• Embracing Hope from Fertile Dreams offers a grant to those in financial need. We’ve included the link to the application.
• INCIID offers several scholarship programs.
• Cade Foundation offers financial assistance opportunities.
• Parenthood for Me offers grants for both infertility and adoption.
• BUMPS offers several grants annually.
• Pay it Forward grants are open to North Carolina residents.

5. Volunteer for a clinical trial. ClincalTrials.gov maintains a searchable database that includes fertility related studies. It’s worth checking often as new studies are always being added.

Ultimately going through any or all of these steps is time well invested as it could save you quite a bit of money.

Do you have a money saving tip to add? Let us know!