When a couple decides to undergo an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, they will be supplied with an estimated cost of IVF by the fertility clinic. Outlined in the estimate will be the fees that are due before the IVF can start, and the additional fees that may be rendered throughout the IVF process. Typically, the estimate will be provided in the form of a financial contract which the couple will be required to sign before they are allowed to begin their treatment. Many people feel apprehensive about signing binding financial contracts, and the IVF financial contracts are no exception. Unfortunately, their fears are often justified because the fertility clinics draw up the contracts so as to maximize their potential to charge a patient for additional services.
In a typical In Vitro Fertilization cycle, the female patient is prescribed ovum stimulation medications so she will stimulate more eggs than she normally would in that menstrual cycle. The patient purchases the medications that are prescribed for her by the Reproductive Endocrinologist before the IVF cycle starts. The medication dosage is calculated based upon the doctor’s understanding of her preliminary test results and expectation of how the patient’s body will respond to the medications. From time to time, the dosage of medications a patient is taking needs to be increased because her body is not responding adequately to the current dosage. Increasing the dosage of medications often means that the patient will need to buy even more expensive medications than she anticipated in addition to the cost of IVF.
One of the side effects the egg stimulation medication may cause is the development of cysts on the patient’s ovaries. Typically, these cysts pose no threat and the fertility doctor will allow them to resolve on their own. If the cysts get too big, however, the fertility doctor will be forced to drain them so that they do not pose a problem. This process is called a cyst aspiration. A cyst aspiration procedure is not commonly included in the standard IVF cycle fees and is therefore a separately billable charge to the patient. Medical insurance may cover the cyst aspiration procedure. In the event that it does not, the patient will be responsible to pay for the cyst aspiration, which normally cost $1,400, in addition to the cost of IVF.
Occasionally the patient’s eggs do not respond adequately to the stimulation medications. If this occurs, the Reproductive Endocrinologist may cancel the IVF cycle and start again the following month. By canceling the IVF cycle, the doctor is preventing the patient from wasting the expensive fertility medications so she can use them the next month. Typically, the signed financial contract will state that the patient will be responsible for the monitoring services she incurred prior to the cancellation in addition to the cost of IVF.
When explaining the cost of IVF to a couple, the fertility clinic will emphasize that the quote provided is an estimate and that additional fees may arise during the course of the IVF treatment. Unfortunately, the couple has very little control over the additional fees, yet must sign the financial contract indicating that they will pay for them or they cannot proceed. The best way a couple can financially prepare themselves is to pay attention to the “fine print” in the financial document.
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