My insurance company only required me to have 3 rounds of IUI before I moved onto IVF (and I conceived and had a baby girl). Yes, the IUIs were not successful ultimately and it was frustrating, but my doctor indicated that 4 months wouldn't necessarily make that much of a difference.

How many rounds of IUI do they require? If just one or two, I'd definitely do that and get insurance to pay for IVF. If three or more, that's trickier, though I would probably still do it, because you could get pregnant with IUI. I don't think paying for natural cycle IVF on your own would affect your insurance coverage.

Just got back from RE. Basically my lh and fsh numbers indicate ovarian aging. Candidate for ivf, nc or medicated but my insurance requires we started with iui... We meet 2 year TTC requirement for ivf. Is there a penalty if we pay out of pocket for nc ivf then follow ins protocol? I am scared of wasting any more time. Has anyone done this or something similar. We have some savings or investments, not a lot but enough to go ahead with nc ivf right away. I am 38.5.