IVF budget ?

[amberr]

I'm applying for a fertility grant. They want a budget proposal of how I'll use any money awarded. I don't know how much stuff costs so I have no idea how to budget. Do clinics breakdown indicual costs of the cycle? I assumed the cost was an all encompassing amount. ?

[daisy818]

Good luck with the grant application!! I'm wondering if you're applying for the same grant that I applied for last round - next deadline is July 1 (DH and I decided there was no point in trying again, although they were giving us 15% off the application fee if we reapplied). I just called the RE's nurse who gave me more detailed numbers. The RE had originally just given me the lump sum, but he was able to further break it down into his fee, the hospital fee, and medications (plus the extra for ICSI if needed). I'd call and see if they can give you a more detailed breakdown.

[amberr]

It must be the same one with July 1 deadline. the cade foundation? I'm struggling with my personal statement too.

[daisy818]

Jun 27, 2017 10:43:02 GMT -6 amberr said:

It must be the same one with July 1 deadline. the cade foundation? I'm struggling with my personal statement too.

Yep! Writing personal statements was rough - mine was easy for me to write (well, I cried as a wrote it, but the writing part itself is easy for me), but DH really struggled, and then when I read his I cried for like 30 minutes because it was a lot of stuff he's not good at expressing. Tearing up now just thinking about it.

FX so hard for you!!

[Dogpaddle29]

I agree with daisy818, Call your clinic and ask if they can send you a break down of the costs included in the IVF lump sum payment. They shouldn't have a problem getting you that with in a day or so.
They should also include costs for ICSI and PGS testing if that is something you are considering, and if over 35 assisted hatching.
Also meds cost between around $2,000 and $5,000.

Good luck!

[amberr]

daisy818 hugs. I'm sorry my question drudged up those feelings.

[daisy818]

Jun 27, 2017 13:28:54 GMT -6 amberr said:

daisy818 hugs. I'm sorry my question drudged up those feelings.

Oh, no worries!! Wasn't a sad thing - more just a reminder that DH cares really deeply about all of this even though he doesn't always show it.

[cythe]

*grad warning*

My clinic has everything itemized and laid out by cost. They list what is necessary for IVF, as well as all the procedures that you can add on (assisted hatching, ICSI, ect). They also gave me an estimate of meds, but of course that can vary a lot based on a lot of things.

Best of luck with the grant!!

[dp21]

Clinic variation is huge across the country! I'd just go and pick up the information sheet at clinic you want to cycle at and it should break everything down.

My clinic had it broken down from:
Monitoring and ultrasounds
Medications
Retrieval
Transfer
Embryo storage
ICSI (we have MFI, so that was a must for us)
PGS (I have insurance coverage but it won't cover this)

It's not all one encompassing cost because there is never a guarantee you will make it to each stage. Some people get cancelled on medications, get to retrieval but then no eggs fertilize or nothing makes it blasts, etc. etc. Cost at my local clinic (minus medications is about 12,000 dollars) but then a place like CCRM costs $25,000.

Good luck!!!!!!!!

[amberr]

So. I asked for an itemized cost breakdown. Told them I needed to prepare a budget for a grant application. Response I got: 15 to 20 K for the cycle. But you'd have to pass the anesthesia screening first.


Seriously? That's their answer!? I think that solidifies it for me. IVF will not be done at my current clinic.

[bonzo]

I'm surprised they wouldn't break down the costs for you!

My clinic has a sheet they give every IVF patient with all the costs broken down. They also have everyone meet with one of their financial consultants to make sure you understand what all the costs are, to discuss what may be covered by insurance (for example, there are some tests that my insurance would have covered even though I don't have IVF coverage), and to discuss financing if needed. That meeting can be either in person or over the phone, but they want to make sure everyone starting the process has a clear idea of what it can cost.

[daisy818]

amberr, I can't believe that was their answer! My doctor is kind of unusual because he's just an RE in a hospital OB/GYN practice rather than a fertility clinic, but he at least gave me something to work with.

[amberr]

Yes. I'm very frustrated and irritated. I explained why I wanted it itemized. I'm not just being nosy. And even if I am, I'm a patient, don't you WANT to help me?

[dp21]

amberr, I'd say run. Every clinic we have stepped foot into, even second opinions had us sit down with financial planner, go over the costs for everything. I don't think it's good to go into a situation blind.

[amberr]

If I'm clinic shopping, and request pricing info before a consult, is this something clinics will provide, (prior to paying for a consult)? Or will I need to pay for some consults at potential clinics.? It's not feasible to visit the clinics out of state just for funsies. Did that make sense?

[dp21]

Yeah I totally get that. I am not sure because we have always sat down after a consult. But I'd say go ahead and ask. It's always just a piece of paper. I don't think it makes sense to consult without knowing costs when paying OOP. You can also seek on advice on here if willing to reveal part of country you are in, some people might have advice on clinics to check out and or have copies of their pricing.

[babyhopes]

Did you speak to the financial advisor at your clinic? Maybe you could ask to speak directly with them and have them send it over?

The cost varies so much. And some things are not included in the base price that you have to pay for in addition to the base IVF package. There are some procedures that some IVF clinics include in their base price that others charge extra for. For example, my clinic does ICSI and assisted hatching if you need it and doesn't charge extra for it. They only thing they can't give you an exact price for is meds. My clinic estimated $2,000-7,000.

I would definitely shop around if they won't provide you with their IVF cost.

[amberr]

babyhopes I have no idea who it was, honestly. IVF abroad is so appealing cost wise. And every clinic lists on their website costs for everything. I wish clinics in the US would do that. Right now I'm looking at clinics in a 6ish hour drive from me. Which is Dallas and St Louis and Tulsa, so far.

[dp21]

amberr 6 hours is a drive. I am not sure about cycling super far as my commute was only 1 hour. So with IVF the monitoring is pretty frequent, like going in every other day and possibly daily for maybe like 7-10 days. My recent clinic had me come in between 6:30 and 7:30am every other day then daily for blood work and ultrasounds. My clinic before this one had us make appointments between 7am and 8am. If you are cycling that far, it looks like you might need a hotel anyway. You'd be saving flight money but if willing to fly, you might be able to expand your search further and get best of best. A friend of mine cycled at CCRM, applied for FMLA and just got a hotel there for like 2 weeks. My 1 hour drive was taxing on me, because it would turn into 3 hour trip, leave house at 5:15am, get there at 6:15am when they opened, be there like 45 minutes, then have to drive back home in rush hour taking 1.5 hours to get home.

I think one of the girls in my group cycled near St. Louis. I'll ask and see if she recommends her clinic. I have no clue about anyone near Dallas or Tulsa.

[amberr]

dp21 I'm planning to do an IVF "vacation". So I'll just stay wherever I'm cycling at. I'll use all my pto plus I'm rolling over a week of pto from this year to use.

[lemonliz]

The clinic should have given you an itemized list of costs, except for meds! I can tell you what it'll cost for meds if you tell me what they have you taking. Otherwise I'll just ballpark it for a DOR cycle.

Seriously that is what they told you? No no no. You want a breakdown of every charge, ESPECIALLY when you're paying OOP.

Do you want a cost sheet from some of the clinics I've been to, to help prepare your application? If you're not cycling there anyhow it won't matter where the numbers come from! The clinics will definitely provide you with a cost sheet if you just ask to speak with their financial coordinator.

Also: if you choose Dallas, LMK. A very long time ago DOR grad is from there and she may have a clinic recommendation.

[amberr]

lemonliz I finished the application already. It is due tomorrow and we leave OOT this afternoon, and MH couldn't finish his part until I finished the budget. I just wrote in what my clinic told me and that any and all monies awarded would go toward the basic fees and I would be willing to use a different clinic. It is what it is. I don't expect to get any $ but if I don't apply, that's a gaurantee we won't get any!

I'll let ya know when we get more decisive on needing a clinic. Without funds, it doesn't matter and u less we win a the lotto, IVF is out of the question for this year. Which stresses me out since we are DOR! A lot can change in a year!

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

FX for this grant, amberr

[birch113]

I'm so irritated for you that your clinic wouldn't give you an itemized cost sheet. That's ridiculous. Fx for you and this grant!