For those who pay OOP... has anyone ever bought a multiple-cycle IVF plan?

Kind of specific question I guess!

My RE offers some payment plans/packages.

One-cycle Plus™: Up to 2 IVF cycles – 1 fresh and 1 frozen embryo transfer
Services that are included in this option are based upon the usual number of office visits, ultrasounds and blood work required during an average in-vitro fertilization cycle, with the use of frozen embryos obtained during this cycle in up to one (1) additional frozen/thaw embryo transfer cycle. Clinical care is provided following the one IVF cycle until a serum pregnancy test is performed. Obstetrical and other medical services are not covered as part of this program. If a pregnancy loss occurs during the nine-month benefit period, additional infertility services are provided through the balance of the nine-month period, up to the maximum of services. You may choose to use donated eggs*, if it is determined that this is an alternative for you.

Two-cycle Plus™: Up to 4 IVF cycles – 2 fresh and 2 frozen embryo transfer
Services that are included in this option are based upon the usual number of office visits, ultrasounds and blood work required during an average in-vitro fertilization cycle for up to two cycles, with the use of any frozen embryos obtained during the cycles in this program in up to two (2) additional frozen/thaw embryo transfer cycles. Clinical care is provided following the cycle until a serum pregnancy test is performed. Obstetrical and other medical services are not covered as part of this program. If a pregnancy loss occurs during the benefit period, additional infertility services are provided through the balance of the period, up to the maximum of services. The occurrence of a live birth completes and terminates the Two-cycle Plus. You may choose to use donated eggs*, if it is determined that this is an alternative for you.

Three-cycle Plus™: Up to 6 IVF cycles – 3 fresh and 3 frozen embryo transfer

Services that are included in this option are based upon the usual number of office visits, ultrasounds and blood work required during an average in-vitro fertilization cycle for up to three cycles, with the use of any frozen embryos obtained during the cycles in this program in up to 3 additional frozen/thaw embryo transfer cycles. Clinical care is provided following the cycle until a serum pregnancy test is performed. Obstetrical and other medical services are not covered as part of this program. If a pregnancy loss occurs during the benefit period, additional infertility services are provided through the balance of the 36 month benefit period, up to the maximum of services. The occurrence of a live birth completes and terminates the Three-cycle Plusª program, and no further services are available under this plan, regardless of which services or how many fresh and/or cryopreserved cycles the patient underwent to become pregnant. You may choose to use donated eggs*, if it is determined that this is an alternative for you.

How would you go about choosing this? I mean, it's not like you can really KNOW if you're going to need more than 1 IVF cycle right?

Has anyone ever gotten one of these packages?

Just thinking ahead... thank you!

Re: For those who pay OOP... has anyone ever bought a multiple-cycle IVF plan?

What is the cost for each?
ETA: also from the way it is written it looks like it does not cover meds or sonos-does your insurance cover meds? You would have to call your prescription plan to find out

Message edited 11/17/2008 3:53:14 PM.

Re: For those who pay OOP... has anyone ever bought a multiple-cycle IVF plan?

I have the 3 fresh / 3 frozen through Integramed. Decided to do it after our failed IVF#1 cost us about $18k out of pocket and therefore down the drain. FM me if you want to know how much it was.

Message edited 11/17/2008 4:25:47 PM.

Re: For those who pay OOP... has anyone ever bought a multiple-cycle IVF plan?

I guess it would depend on your diagnosis and what your RE thinks. I asked about doing something like this at my RE, but she actually advised me against it becuase of our diagnosis and my age (MF and I was 26). She said that those plans are targeted to the people who usually are successful on the first try because a lot of times the people who would really need multiple IVF's (poor egg quality, advanced maternal age, etc..) aren't eligible. It's a hard decision and definately worth looking into. Part of me really wanted to do it anyway just so I wouldn't feel so stressed about the first cycle taking (that there would be a backup plan). I guess it all depends on the cost of each package and how much you would lose if you were successful versus how much you would save if you aren't.

Re: For those who pay OOP... has anyone ever bought a multiple-cycle IVF plan?

I just finished up my first IVF and used the Integramed 3fresh/3frozen plan. I wound up paying about double the cost of 1 cycle. I paid extra for ICSI and assisted hatching, but my meds were covered through insurance.

I'm pretty sure that the IVF worked....I got a positive HPT and am just waiting for my beta. I am still happy that I did it even though we overpaid because it took away the stress of "what happens if this doesn't work"...I knew we had more chances.