The journey to parenthood is exciting yet can feel challenging, especially when navigating the costs associated with fertility treatments. At PREG (Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group), we understand that financial concerns can add stress to an already emotional experience. Fortunately, there are numerous resources and options available to help make fertility care more affordable. Here’s your guide to navigating fertility costs at PREG.
Insurance Benefits
One of the first steps in managing fertility care expenses is understanding your insurance benefits. At PREG, we work diligently to contract with most insurance carriers to ensure our patients have access to necessary treatments. We are proud to be part of the Progyny network, a choice many companies make to enhance their overall medical insurance.
If you’re a government employee, you might have additional benefits and coverage available to you. We encourage you to reach out to your Human Resources department to verify your coverage options. In fact, approximately 80% of our patients have medical insurance that covers the new patient consultation and diagnostic testing. Many of these plans also include fertility benefits that extend further into procedures like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and IUI (Intrauterine Insemination).
Grant Opportunities
In addition to insurance, there are several grant opportunities designed to assist individuals and couples facing financial barriers in their family-building journeys. Just a couple of examples are:
The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund:
This fund offers financial assistance to individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatments, aiming to ease the financial burden.
Fertility Within Reach:
This organization provides a variety of grant opportunities, mainly on a national level, helping patients access the care they need without the overwhelming costs.
Medication Savings Programs
Fertility medications can represent a significant portion of treatment costs. Thankfully, many savings programs are available, including:
Serono
- Compassionate Care: This program can offer up to 50% off fertility treatments and medications for qualifying self-pay individuals.
- Fertility Lifelines: This initiative assesses the eligibility of self-pay patients pursuing fertility treatment based on financial need or military status.
- EMD Serono Network Pharmacies: Even if you’re not eligible for savings programs, you might still save on prescription costs through participating network pharmacies.
LIVESTRONG Foundation Fertile Hope Program
This program specifically supports cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments pose a risk of infertility, providing resources and assistance tailored to their unique situations.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals IVF Greenlight Program
Self-pay patients purchasing a minimum of ten vials of fertility medications, such as Bravelle and Menopur, can benefit from a rebate program, making treatments more financially feasible.
Government Assistance
For South Carolina state employees covered under the State Health Plan, there’s good news: you have access to $15,000 in fertility benefits per lifetime! Additionally, TriCare is included under this plan, providing support for military families seeking fertility care.
Financing Options
For those without coverage or who have exhausted their benefits, PREG offers several financing options to help you manage costs. We partner with multiple finance companies that specialize in fertility care financing. Our team can provide a list of these options tailored to your needs. Additional financing opportunities are listed below.
WINFertility Program:
This program is particularly beneficial for patients who have no insurance coverage or have already exhausted their benefits. It includes treatment bundle prices for IUI, IVF, and Third Party Reproduction.
PREG IVF Refund Program:
If you do not have a viable pregnancy reaching 20 weeks of gestation from the IVF treatment, PREG will refund you up to 90% in 3-cycle and up to 50% in 1-cycle plans (for patients with predicted probability of IVF success based on Unify PreIVF Report Program).
Special Considerations for Military Families
At PREG, we recognize the unique challenges faced by military families. As a TriCare Preferred Patient Provider, Dr. Payne is a practitioner of choice for those covered under TriCare. Our military discount program also offers IVF discounts through PREG, ensuring that those who serve our country have access to the care they need. In addition to the IVF discount, qualifying individuals may also benefit from the Serono Compassionate Corps, which offers up to 50% off fertility medications.
Financial Counseling
Navigating the financial aspects of fertility care can be overwhelming. We encourage you to meet with one of our PREG financial counselors to explore all available opportunities for monetary assistance.
Together Toward Parenthood
This list of resources serves as a valuable starting point for couples and individuals seeking financial assistance on their family-building path. However, please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of all available opportunities, and eligibility requirements may differ. You might discover that you do not qualify for some of the financial aids mentioned. If you have questions or need personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of fertility specialists at PREG. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey; we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group is proud to be the largest network of fertility centers in the Carolinas, with locations in Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Columbia, Summerville, and Mount Pleasant. Contact us at (864) 400-0947 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today.
