Shared Risk IVF experiences?

[Anonymous]

We are at the point where it’s pretty clear we need IVF with ICSI, and we are considering whether to do the Shared Risk program at Shady Grove, which would be $22K up front and allows you six IVF cycles and your money back if you don't have a baby.

Right now our insurance has a lifetime $5K and I plan to switch during open season to plan that covers 50% of costs (assuming that the new plan would approve us for infertility treatment, that’s not a given, and all of the diagnostic tests we’ve done will have ‘expired’).

The Shared Risk program sounds good, especially since it ‘covers’ you if you do get pregnant and miscarry. Having miscarried once already this is a real concern for me.

I was wondering if anyone out there has done the Shady Grove Shared Risk—what did you think? How many cycles did it take you? Would you do it again?

[Anonymous]

Just curious -- can you do both insurance and Shared Risk? I always thought it was one or the other, but was wondering if it can be combined.

Also -- I think once you are diagnosed with infertility the diagnosis sticks -- you don't have to prove it again. At least we never did and we switched insurance companies after the birth of our first (conceived via IVF) and trying for #2. We had paperwork to fill out and perhaps had to fax some of my records, but it was just that and my doctor's referal. Some tests are only good for a year or so -- i.e., blood work for STDs, semen analysis, etc. Also I think FSH (day 3) is pretty standard at the beginning of any IVF cycle.

I think someone else on the board said their insurance paid 50% and their IVF plus ICSI and meds ran about $5,000. Based upon what we paid, it sounds like their meds were paid at better than 50%. So it sounds like you could do quite a few cycles at 50% before you'd reach $22K (not including meds).

[Anonymous]

We did the Shady Grove IVF Shared Risk Program, got pregnant the first round, and had twins. We never regretted paying the $20,000, when it would have only cost us $10,000. You forget about the money after you have the babies and we felt like we wanted to have the piece of mind that if it didn't work the 1st or 2nd times, we still had 3 more chances. I would recommend doing whatever makes you more comfortable-- IVF is stressful enough as it is.

[Anonymous]

I did the Shady Grove Shared Risk Plan twice and got pregnant on the first IVF both times. I went with the plan for the peace of mind- I wanted to reduce the stress. And I'm of course so happy that both times resulted in healthy babies. But it does bother me that I overspent 20K!

[Anonymous]

I also did Shared Risk with ICSI at Shady Grove. I had no fertility issues, it was for PGD reasons. Because I am in my early thirties and had no fertility issues, I was led to believe that I would conceive the first try. It did not work for us until the third cycle, hence we ended up shaving money by doing the shared risk. We were 100% out of pocket. Remember that the shared risk money does NOT cover meds (so if you have a flex spending account at work, you can use that to cover some med costs). Between IVF, ICSI, PGD and meds, we spent around $50,000, and we don't regret a single penny as we were successful and have a beautiful baby to show for it. When we try for baby #2, we will do the same thing with Shady Grove.

Good luck to you!