Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you expect a discount...why should someone give you a break for providing a service to you and working hard for you? I am an IVF patient paying 100% out of pocket. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it sucks. But why would you expect someone to work for you for less? The last thing this doctor/clinic want to hear is that you want tippy-top care but expect to barter for it. This is not a garage sale. Pay the fees as stated and please don't be annoying.

I sense that you are sorry you did not try negotiating yourself. Shady Grove (for ex.) offers a variety of package deals and discounted rates for people under a certain income level. Many clinics around the country offer different packages of that sort. There are sources for discounted drugs. There are studies that some people can get into that offer discounted rates.

I, too, was an IVF patient paying 100 percent out of pocket. I'm the one who mentioned that I spoke directly with Brian. I'm sorry that you didn't feel comfortable negotiating and that I perhaps paid less than you (but maybe not, who knows). My goal is not to avoid annoying people on this board; I don't really care what other people think about how I spend my money. I am sure that clinics never offer a rate that will end with them failing to make a healthy amount of money on their services. Do people have the same sense of righteous outrage on behalf of the poor car dealer, or for the store owner who is undercut when people seek out cheaper products on Amazon?

You do your thing, and I'll do mine.

Agreed. Tell 'em how you really feel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you expect a discount...why should someone give you a break for providing a service to you and working hard for you? I am an IVF patient paying 100% out of pocket. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it sucks. But why would you expect someone to work for you for less? The last thing this doctor/clinic want to hear is that you want tippy-top care but expect to barter for it. This is not a garage sale. Pay the fees as stated and please don't be annoying.

I sense that you are sorry you did not try negotiating yourself. Shady Grove (for ex.) offers a variety of package deals and discounted rates for people under a certain income level. Many clinics around the country offer different packages of that sort. There are sources for discounted drugs. There are studies that some people can get into that offer discounted rates.

I, too, was an IVF patient paying 100 percent out of pocket. I'm the one who mentioned that I spoke directly with Brian. I'm sorry that you didn't feel comfortable negotiating and that I perhaps paid less than you (but maybe not, who knows). My goal is not to avoid annoying people on this board; I don't really care what other people think about how I spend my money. I am sure that clinics never offer a rate that will end with them failing to make a healthy amount of money on their services. Do people have the same sense of righteous outrage on behalf of the poor car dealer, or for the store owner who is undercut when people seek out cheaper products on Amazon?

You do your thing, and I'll do mine.

Anonymous wrote:I mean if you don't mind paying full price, hey that's cool, but don't be mad that you didn't have the eggs to ask for a discount and the next person does (and gets it).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you expect a discount...why should someone give you a break for providing a service to you and working hard for you? I am an IVF patient paying 100% out of pocket. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it sucks. But why would you expect someone to work for you for less? The last thing this doctor/clinic want to hear is that you want tippy-top care but expect to barter for it. This is not a garage sale. Pay the fees as stated and please don't be annoying. [/quote

I agree with this poster. Just engaging in a negotiation puts the service provider in an awkward position. I would never do it. I want my RE to know I think he is worth it. He is not providing me with a medically necessary procedure and this is the price he sets for his service.

Are you two really serious? When you go buy a car, do you automatically pay full price? don't you think that Benz is worth it at full price? But you will still ask is there any wiggle room. And before you go in on a car is not a baby, negotiation is negotiation. Mercedes thinks that car is worth the "fees as stated". Just like an insurance company gets discounts and "breaks" because they negotiated with the physician, why shouldn't someone who is paying 100% out of pocket do the same thing? Can only big business can ask for a discount?

I think my RE is worth it too, but why should I pay $9000-12000 for something that someone with insurance is getting for considerably less. And certainly, me paying cash has less administrative costs than those using insurance. I do think it should be discussed with the finance person, not the doc. But all they can say is no. I just got a great discount with CFA, that saved me $$$$ dollars. All I had to do is ask.

I think it's pretty annoying that you are telling someone else not to be annoying. Fertility clinics are in business to make money, and if you get pregnant, than that's great, and it's all sunshine, rainbows and lullabies, but if you don't, it on the the next. I mean if you don't mind paying full price, hey that's cool, but don't be mad that you didn't have the eggs to ask for a discount and the next person does (and gets it).