Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

DH and I have just begun fertility treatments and are a while off from IVF. However, the reality of the situation is that while we may be lucky and get PG through medications and/or IUI, we also know that we very well may need IVF.

IVF is not covered by our insurance (though I believe that at least some if not all of the medications are covered under my plan) so I am already thinking ahead about how we will finance IVF.

I know it may seem crazy, but I just don't want to reach that point and then not be able to pay for it.

We already have an account which we always considered our "emergency" fund - reserved for any unexpected and expensive expenses we may have. Now, it's earmarked for IVF if needed. We also will probably max out our flex spending for next year if we are not PG by December.

Did/does anyone else feel the same way that I do? Did anyone "plan" ahead? What did you do? It's just so stressful!!!

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

It sounds like you are planning ahead which is a good thing. Think of it as saving for IVF but in the end you may end up PG without it and can use that as savings for the baby! Best of luck!

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

it looks like your doing the right thing and are on the right track! this will be one less stress you will have if the time comes cause the money will be there. i wish you the best of luck

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

I'm not sure if there is any grant money left anywhere. But, maybe you would qualify, something to check out.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

I was actually thinking the same thing.

For those with experience, how much money would you try to set aside?

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

We did not plan ahead as far as you did but we did plan somewhat. In the respect that we are taking a few months to get our finances together before going forward. We could have started in July but we are starting in October instead.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

I planned ahead but not for IVF. DH and I have been saving for when we have kids. we had saved a little more than a years salary.
So now wwe're using the saving to have kids.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

We are starting to truly think of this now. DH & I have no coverage for IF beyond the diagnosis. So even our IUI's are not covered. We know the medication with exception to Clomid is not covered either

We know that we are some ways off from IVF since our RE wants us to do the Clomid/IUI combo & see what happens. But since we are paying out of pocket, we are trying to weigh how many IUI combos we will do before movin ahead. DH will max out his flex spending come January but otherwise, we are thinking of taking whatever loans we can get.

Plus I inquired on Beth's post, girls were saying they are using 0% Credit Cards. Which ones are you using? We would look into something like this.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

All I can say is learn from my mistake! Because I already have a DD, I assumed we would never get to IVF, so when benefits enrollment rolled around last fall, I didn't bother to look closely at my insurance or bother to max out my healthcare spending account.

This fall, you better believe I'm putting the maximum possible into my healthcare spending account and I'm doing MUCH BETTER research regarding the different insurance plans offered by my job.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

We have no coverage for Infertility beyond medication (and that caps at $5k) and diagnostic testing. We had to use savings and borrow from 401k along with generous $ from our parents. Then what we did was put the IVF cost on a low interest credit card and paid it off. We looked into special health care loans etc but the interest rates were highway robbery....it seems as if they know how much you want a child and so they charge you 18% interest!

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

Posted by CaseyGirl

We have no coverage for Infertility beyond medication (and that caps at $5k) and diagnostic testing. We had to use savings and borrow from 401k along with generous $ from our parents. Then what we did was put the IVF cost on a low interest credit card and paid it off. We looked into special health care loans etc but the interest rates were highway robbery....it seems as if they know how much you want a child and so they charge you 18% interest!

Message edited 8/14/2008 10:37:40 AM.

Re: Spinoff to Beth's Post: Planning ahead for IVF

I think for my next IVF we will have to use a 0% interest cc too. We really have no other choice.