Path To Fertility Blog by RMACT

The Infertile Guide To Making A New Year's Resolution

Lisa Rosenthal — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 01:00:00 GMT

“Happy New Year.” Is that even a thing when you’re focused on #TTC, fertility treatments, and appointment times? When nothing seems to be working, and it hasn’t been working, even though you were hoping and praying that 2019 would be your year?

Making a New Year’s Resolution Work for You

Let’s make “Happy New Year” a thing.

We’ll start by kicking 2019 out on its butt! Done and goodbye to negative pregnancy tests, insensitive questions from friends and family, waiting impatiently for day one, hearing yet another pregnancy announcement from a friend, strained relationships, and unsuccessful fertility treatment cycles. To use a term I’ve been hearing a lot (and secretly like) “Thank U, Next.”

2020 is a fresh start, a new decade, 365 days to achieve your family building goals. A blank slate, full of possibilities.

Let’s press the restart button. And here’s how.

A New Year Without a Baby — It Sucks.

We know that starting off the new year without the baby you've been dreaming of and actively working to have hurts. We know that it hurts a lot. It’s devastating, in fact. Is there a way to leave some of that behind and move forward?

While there are tons of suggestions out there for New Year’s Resolutions, big and small, many of us have a similar experience. We make our resolution, stick to it for a short time and then either abandon it deliberately or without realizing it. Next comes shame and guilt, and instead of any positive change, we feel like crap.

How about if we focus on leaving something behind in 2019 that belongs left there?

Choosing What to Leave Behind in Suck Ass 2019

Let’s face it, 2019 wasn’t great. You put time, money, energy, love, and dedication into making your family-building dreams come true, and it didn’t work.

This is a message from the CEO of RMA of Connecticut to our entire team, “Our next theme for our staff bulletin board has to do with leaving things behind to start the new year off right. These “leave-behinds” should be feelings or behaviors that you believe are holding you back from being your best self. Thoughts of self-doubt, procrastination, dwelling on past mistakes – all of these feelings hold us back from our full potential. Leaving behind toxic relationships (some “friends” can wreak havoc on our self-esteem!), being overscheduled and feeling overwhelmed by our overscheduled lives – all things we can work towards improving. I will be updating our bulletin board to ask this question and look forward to leaving all of the negative thoughts behind to welcome 2020 with open arms and an open mind.”

How to Leave Things Behind. For Good.

Most of us know what we should leave behind. We know what we should let go of. Right? You’re probably thinking of something right now…

The Classic “No” or “Less” List:

1. Less food

2. Less alcohol

3. Less coffee

4. No cigarettes (number one way to premature fertility aging)

5. No recreational drugs

6. Less time on my phone and social media

The Classic “Yes” or “More” List:

1. More time in the gym or working out

2. More time doing a hobby

3. Save more money

4. More healthy food choices (notice diet sneaks on both lists?)

5. Read more

These are the things that make the New Year’s Resolution lists year after year, after year. After year. After decade. And so on. Unfortunately, these things often end up in the New Year’s Resolution graveyard… am I right?

If perseverance, self-will, and dedication would work on any one of those things, we’d be all set.

We all know intellectually, in our brains, that letting go or changing things that hurt or stop us is the right idea. So why don’t we keep up with it?

Eating too much or too little: unhealthy and bad for you.

Binge watching TV instead of going to gym: ditto.

So why doesn’t understanding this make it possible to stop? We know what’s good or bad, for the most part, so why can’t we keep up with these resolutions?

Because just knowing isn’t enough.

Your Brain is Not the Only Organ Needed to Leave Things Behind

I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked or asked myself, “Can we look at this rationally?”

In fact, it’s the wrong question to ask, because if rationality was all that was needed, we’d be all set.

Our brains are perfectly happy to go around and around in circles. How many times have you thought about and evaluated a situation, come to a conclusion, and then reexamined it again two minutes later? I know it’s not just me who does this - admit it! Infertility and fertility treatment are a perfect example. We have a plan. Then we second guess our plan. Then we third guess our plan. And so on.

We know, intellectually, that we can’t time travel and “know” if we’re pregnant or not. Yet, how many times do we anxiously wonder, “is that a pregnancy symptom?” We know that the endometrial lining won’t be any thicker the next morning if we think about it 150 times the night before.

We know these things. Rationally. But our brains don’t let it go.

So it’s not really rationality and more brain power that we need.

Your Secret Weapon—The Organ to Leave Things Behind

Less rational brain and more heart.

Yep.

Making a tough decision? Go ahead and make your pro and con list. That’s a very helpful tool, one that I use quite often.

Then what happens? The con list is twelve deep and I go ahead and do it.

Why?

My heart says yes when my brain says no.

How often do I regret it? Rarely. Almost never.

Our hearts have much quieter voices than our brains. And if we don’t politely ask our brains to shut up, we can’t always hear our hearts.

We all have different ways that we hear our hearts. My heart voice gets courageous and louder when I’m taking a walk, stroking my cat, during yoga, and in meditation. Ideas, thoughts, and solutions come to me that make no sense at all. No rational brain sense, but all the heart sense in the world. It’s where I stop talking myself into or out of how I really feel, what I really want and need.

If you’re out of practice and this feels completely foreign to you, give yourself a minute of quiet. Literally. One. Minute.

Set the timer on your phone. Close your eyes. See what floats up. Do it a bunch of times in one day. You may have to get past the initial irritation at doing such a dumb exercise. And then you may hear it. A little, but very powerful voice that say something you need to hear.

Speaking of your brain...

New Year Resolution Suggestions

Remember those lists we made earlier? Here are a few more suggestions.

The New “No” or “Less” List:

1. Less “shoulds”

2. Less scolding of yourself

3. Less saying “I’m fine,” when you’re really not

4. Less doing things that end up making you exhausted emotionally

5. Less FOMO

The New “Yes” or “More” List:

1. More saying yes to yourself

2. More self-forgiveness when you’re disappointed in yourself

3. More time to be honest with people you trust about how you’re feeling

4. More time spending doing things that bring you joy or serenity or laughter

5. More time telling yourself how capable, loving, compassionate, smart, funny, healthy, strong, lovable and talented you are

One last important thing to remember is that January 1st, 2020 is a day like none other. It’s a new beginning. 2020 is Your. Fresh. Start.

Here’s another true thing though. So is January 2, 2020. And February 3. And April 12.

We can restart any time we need to, with the goal that this is the year that your dreams come true.

Remembering Sandy Hook and the Gift of Infertility

Lisa Rosenthal — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 15:45:00 GMT

Today is the seventh anniversary of Sandy Hook, Newtown. 12.14.12.

I never know what to call it. Do you?

Is it the shooting?

The massacre?

The mass murder?

The tragedy?

Maybe it doesn’t make any difference what we call it. The truth is that we still haven't found the words that make sense, that accurately convey the devastation, horror, and death that visited our small Connecticut town that day. The horror that the families faced with the deaths of their little ones is impossible to imagine, making it the entire reason we acknowledge the pain to this day and beyond. The shock that we felt as a community still resonates, as it should.

We were all visited by death that day. It was a brutal loss of innocence hammered thin by the countless killing events that have since happened. Since 2012, the year of the Sandy Hook tragedy, guns have been used to perpetrate violence in a school setting in the United States over one hundred and eighty times.

An Intimate Story of Sandy Hook

After 2012, one survivor would soon become a patient at RMA of Connecticut and ultimately, a dear friend of mine. She pulled herself through the emotional turmoil of Sandy Hook, only to struggle to become pregnant on the other side.

She was the 1 in 8 to have infertility come knocking at her door.

She was personally affected by Newtown. Not in the general, shell-shocked way the rest of us were affected. Not in the just proximal way that those of us who live close by, where it was our backyard, were affected. Not in the intimately private way that those who lost a child or a family member that day were affected.

She was affected because she was there, in the school that very day. She experienced the horror—the smells, the sights, the sounds—the reality of that day. She escaped death that day by the narrowest of margins and to some extent, by sheer luck.

Her best friend didn't have the same luck. She didn’t escape. She died that day, doing her best to protect the children she was there to teach.

That is the simplest version of her story at Sandy Hook, Connecticut. She has given me permission to share this with you so you can see what else was almost lost that day. It is her story though, so I won’t go into the details any more than I have.

This is neither a story of the phoenix rising from the ashes, nor is it a story that makes sense of the chaotic, brutal deaths of innocent children. This isn’t the silver lining or upside of the horror of that day. The lives lost, their voices only living on as echoes in the hearts of their families and friends, aren’t redeemed by any story, no matter how happy an ending it might have.

And there is a happy ending with not one but two children now, after infertility. A beautiful, spirited, happy family whose parents know just how blessed they are to have these children to hold, teach, comfort, and love.

Had my beautiful, new friend died that day at Sandy Hook, this family never would have existed. It would have been more loss, another family that didn’t continue and expand, a love story never experienced. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

Infertility, An Unexpected Blessing

This is a blessing for us all. It’s a story that in the end brings joy and even relief. We at RMA of Connecticut have been blessed to know her and to help her and her husband.

She says that she is grateful for her infertility, because through it, she got to know all of us. Through her infertility, she began to heal from the death and destruction of 12/14/12. For her, the healing that took place was within the compassionate and loving arms of the RMA of Connecticut family. Shaun Williams, MD, Linda Connolly, RN, Elaine Malin, MTCM, LAc are three members of the RMA of Connecticut family that created an experience where she was protected, cared for and loved. Where she could cry, demand, ask questions, and find a limitless reserve to fill her up.

It would be selfish to say that I feel grateful about knowing her, as it was through the sadness of infertility. I can say, though, that I feel so grateful and thankful and blessed that she came into our offices and into our lives.

A situation like this makes me reflective. There are few stories in addition to this one that remind me of the intense, yet fragile, connections we all make with one another through the experience of infertility. When we help build families, especially in a case like this, I’m humbled by the importance of the work we are privileged to do.

So, to our patients, I speak for all of us at RMA of Connecticut when I say this: Thank you for being the strong, beautiful women and men that we have gotten to know. For teaching us the truest meaning of these two words—resiliency and strength. And thank you for the delight of seeing you and your partner and your glorious children, your happiness, and the continuation of life.

RMA of Connecticut has been thankful to have received a precious gift from Newtown in the guise of this beautiful woman, her husband, and their children.

We continue to send love to the families from Sandy Hook who will never see their children, sisters, friends, and loved ones again.

The Privilege of Time

On the third anniversary of Sandy Hook, I texted her, as I often do. There was no way to be in Newtown and not think of her. She was so happy to hear that I was in “The Hook,” the local term for Sandy Hook, I could hear the smile in her voice. If I had time while I was there, she suggested that I go to the angel rock behind one of the churches. While it wasn’t a hidden memorial, it also wasn’t exactly publicized or generally known about.

Of course, we had time. And if we hadn’t? We would have made time.

That’s one of the important lessons I’ve learned from the tragedy of Newtown, from this beloved person. I have the privilege of time. With that privilege, I have a responsibility to use the time that I have to be kind. To be loving. To never forget the innocent that lost their lives that day.

Bill, my husband, and I walked hand in hand to angel rock. I bowed my head, closing my eyes, and prayed for the lives lost that day, years earlier. I prayed for the families that were forever disrupted, for the generations not to come, and for the nonredeemable devastation that had been perpetrated.

I said a silent, tearful thank you for the strong, beautiful woman that I had gotten to know. The one who sent me there. When I opened my eyes, and we turned to leave, I received a tangible gift as well. There, sitting on a bench, was a ceramic heart that I could hold in my hands. It was supposed to be found by someone like me. Someone who needed it.

To this day, there are unexpected gifts like that all over Newtown, in honor of those who died. These gifts may be twinkling in a tree, or waiting patiently on a park bench. They are there, also to honor those who survived that day, going on to defy death by having their own special children.

One added lesson learned about the privilege of time came about by discovering that the angel memorial no longer resides in that sacred space. It’s moved on to find a more permanent home elsewhere. We only got to experience the memorial in that setting because we didn’t put it off for another time. The privilege and gift of time and love and life.

I ended my prayer at the memorial that day, the way that I always do, with “Peace, shanti, peace, shanti, peace.”

May we all find peace, shanti, peace, shanti, peace.

Will Insurance Cover My Fertility Treatment? Questions to Ask Your Provider

Virginia Hamilton Furnari — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:00:00 GMT

Finding out you are in need of fertility treatment is a blow to your life’s plan. People don’t plan on having trouble… in fact, we usually try our hardest to prevent “accidents,” assuming everything is perfectly fine. So, finding out that you are going to need some assistance might be shocking, devastating, and heartbreaking.

Then your clinic shows you the price list of your different options.

Jaw. Drop.

Did you know that one cycle of IVF can cost somewhere between $12,850 and $24,250?

Surely your health insurance will cover your treatment needs, right? Eh… maybe. Unfortunately, not many health insurance plans cover fertility needs, which results in you either paying out of pocket, seeking grants or loans, or halting your treatment altogether. We at RMA of Connecticut hate seeing patients stress over the financials of their fertility when we wish they could focus all their energy into their end goal: having a baby.

But that’s why you’re here, reading this blog. We are going to help you figure all this out.

How Do I Pay for Fertility Treatment?

We’ve written a series of blogs lately that have covered the ends and outs of open-enrollment and ways to pay for treatment outside of health insurance. Let’s review those options…

Out-of-pocket:

Have some money saved up for something unexpected? This might be the moment you use that surplus.

Grants:

Paying out-of-pocket is not an option for many people. Grants are a great way to help supplement the costs of fertility treatments – you might even find some that pay for it all, top-to-bottom, medicine-to-procedure. Be mindful that grants typically have stipulations… you must use “this” fertility clinic, you must live in “that” state, etc.

Loans:

Medical loans are another option – these are essentially out-of-pocket, as you’ll ultimately end up having to pay the loan back, plus interest. These might be a better option than just swiping your credit card every bill, since you can negotiate a predetermined interest rate and payback period.

Opportunity Plans:

Often times, a fertility clinic will have financial options that either discount their services, or assist you in paying over a particular amount of time.

Want a free ebook on financing your fertility journey?

And then there’s the option for which we all hope…

Health Insurance & Fertility Coverage:

Wouldn’t this be dreamy?! Sometimes health insurance companies will cover partial or full fertility treatment. Some include a stipend for medication, some give you a lifetime monetary allotment… the coverages vary. So that begs the question…

Will Insurance Cover My Fertility Treatment?

Will your health insurance cover your fertility costs? Below, we dive into how you can find out if your provider offers this benefit or not.

First off, ask the obvious:

● Does my current plan cover infertility?

If your insurance policy DOES NOT cover infertility, head straight to your employer (the Human Resources representative) with these questions…

● Is there another plan I can switch to that does include infertility? Make sure to understand the grace period before using the fertility benefits… some insurance companies require a certain amount of time to pass before dipping into some benefits, like infertility.

● Are there any company-based policies that would supplement my fertility journey? Some employers offer fertility supplementation separate from their health insurance. You may need to purchase a rider to your current plan or a separate package through another provider.

● Are there any other company policies I could take advantage of to assist my lifestyle as I seek fertility treatment? Maybe you have no opportunity for fertility treatment supplementation, but there’s a possibility they could help you in other ways! Think: a more flexible work schedule, more paid time off, etc.

If your insurance policy DOES cover infertility…

● Do I need to use a particular clinic? Some insurance companies will only cover your treatment if it's administered by certain clinics. Typically, the preferred clinics are ones that report to SART (Society for Reproductive Technologies), a third party information source with clinic statistics, and/or are Centers of Excellence.

● How do you define infertility to be granted coverage? Some plans require a particular amount of time of trying-to-conceive or other health issues before allowing access to the extended coverage.

● Is all the fertility testing covered? Fertility testing must be done before any treatments are started. Is your HSG, saline sonogram, and genetic testing covered? You should ask about those specifically.

● What specific fertility treatments do you cover? Some insurances will not cover anything more than ovulation-inducing medication. Some will cover the entire gamut of procedures. Make sure to get a detailed list!

● Do you cover fertility medications? And a follow up: Will I need to use a specific pharmacy?

● Do I have any yearly or lifetime maximums on procedures or spend? Some plans place a cap on treatments in a given amount of time. For example, your lifetime allotment might be 3 IUIs and 1 IVF cycle, or 1 IVF cycle a year, etc. Some plans will not put a cap on the type of procedures but will instead grant you a certain monetary stipend to be used on fertility needs in a given amount of time. For example, you could be given a $25,000 lifetime allotment. Getting this answer will hopefully answer several of your other questions, like “how many rounds of IVF am I allowed?” or “what specific treatments do you cover?”

● Is there a particular order to the procedures that I’m required to follow? Meaning, will I need to do something less invasive like an IUI before IVF, or can I choose to do IVF first?

● Do you cover pre-implantation genetic testing?

● Should I need ICSI in an IVF cycle, is that covered? ICSI is a more focused fertilization method (manually placing a single sperm inside an egg) that requires more intensive work by the embryologist.

● Do you cover cryopreservation? You might need to freeze your eggs or embryos.

● How should we communicate from this point forward? Will you correspond directly with the clinic or will you be contacting me with any and all results, approvals, or denials?

● What happens if I make it through my allotted coverage? Is there an additional package I could purchase?

Make sure that by the time you get off the phone with your insurance representative that you are feeling comfortable and understand everything they’ve said. You can also request to get the policy in writing.

It's Time to be Your Biggest Advocate

It’s incredibly important you do everything you can to understand your coverage and give your family building dreams a chance to come true. With open-enrollment coming to a close, now is a great time to get on the phone and ask these necessary questions. Be your best advocate, and let’s start the journey now.

Are you ready to speak to someone about your financial options?

Insulin Resistance and PCOS: How to Manage Your Symptoms

Diana D’Amelio — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 16:49:50 GMT

November is National Diabetes Month, and RMA of CT is focusing today on how our fertility is affected by insulin resistance in women with PCOS. There is an important connection between the two. If you are a woman dealing with PCOS and attempting pregnancy, it’s important to be aware of the following information.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition in young women representing about 10-15% of the population (and maybe even more). PCOS can be characterized by ovulatory dysfunction (irregular cycles), elevated androgen levels (the “male” hormones), cardio-metabolic dysfunction (elevated cholesterol panel), insulin resistance, and possible weight gain. PCOS patients usually have at least two of the above symptoms but may not have all of them.

What is insulin resistance, and why is it bad for you?

Women who have PCOS are often challenged with insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone manufactured in the pancreas. It is secreted in response to sugar in the blood stream after eating a meal. Insulin helps to move the blood sugar from the bloodstream into cells to use as energy. When the cells do not respond to the insulin hormone, they are considered “resistant.” The body keeps trying to get a response by having the pancreas send out more and more insulin. Think about it this way: You show up to a friend’s house and knock on the door. No answer. You knock again. Still no answer. So you knock louder and harder. Nothing. It turns out that your friend is actually inside but listening to music through their headphones. She can’t hear you at all. In this case, you are the insulin, trying to send messages, and your friend is the cell, not responding.

At some point, the body becomes desensitized to insulin and loses the ability to regulate blood sugar. Elevated sugars in the blood stream can cause damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and organs. It can also lead to diabetes and other serious conditions.

Insulin can increase androgen (testosterone, the male hormone) production by the ovaries. This can cause irregular cycles which means irregular ovulation or possibly no ovulation at all, making pregnancy difficult.

Researchers say that elevated insulin levels may be toxic to early placental cells. They know that insulin resistance is associated with miscarriage.

Insulin resistance may also lead to gestational diabetes which is the most common pregnancy complication in all women. Women with PCOS have a three times higher risk of gestational diabetes than the general public. Having gestational diabetes can be harmful to your unborn child and increases his or her chance of being overweight and developing insulin resistance.

What Can You do to Optimize Pre-Conception Health if You Have PCOS?

There are three treatment approaches for optimizing your health:

Regular exercise
Optimal Nutrition
Medication if needed

Exercise: A combination of weight bearing exercise and aerobic exercise is optimal and an integral part of your health management with PCOS. Consistent exercise will help with improved insulin levels and better glucose control. In addition, it supports weight loss, lowers androgen levels, improves mood, and may help to regulate ovulation. If you’re overweight, a 5-10% reduction in weight may lead to regular ovulation. Walking at a brisk pace is an excellent overall exercise that can be done before, during, and after pregnancy.

Nutrition: Following a healthy and balanced meal plan is very important. You may want to meet with a nutritionist to review your current diet and tweak it for optimal pre-conception nutrition. Basically, your food plan should include lots of vegetables, whole grains (complex carbs), fruits, beans, lean meats, fish (not too much swordfish or tuna), and some healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts. Avoid processed foods and buy organic as much as you can. Stay hydrated – carry a water bottle around with you.

Check out this helpful guide on how to handle the salad bar in the most nutrient friendly way!

Medications: Medications may be used during your pre-conception phase to lower insulin levels if you have demonstrated insulin resistance and/or some of the PCOS symptoms. There are insulin sensitizing powders and other medications like metformin which your provider may prescribe for you. You may be asked to undergo a two-hour oral glucose and insulin tolerance test to determine your level of insulin resistance and if these medications might help you. If you have diabetes, your endocrinologist may prescribe insulin.

Other lifestyle changes include getting enough sleep and reducing stress levels can majorly help you overcome your PCOS symptoms during pre-conception (and other times, too!). At RMA of CT, we offer counseling, fertile yoga, and acupuncture to optimize pre-conception health. You can also practice meditation or use a sleep app on your phone to help you fall and stay asleep.

What can you do once you are PREGNANT to optimize health?

My biggest piece of advice? Keep up the good work!

Continue to exercise during pregnancy. Daily exercise will only help to optimize insulin levels, but it will keep weight under control and make you feel great. It’s ok to go back to exercising as you did prior to pregnancy with approval from your doctor.

Continue to eat well balanced meals and drink a lot of water. People used to say, “eat up - you are now eating for two.” That’s not actually the case. You do not need to double your intake of food. See a nutritionist for a good meal plan. Your growing baby is exposed to whatever you put into your body so be careful and only put in the most nutritious food you can.

Take any medication prescribed to you as directed. If you are on metformin, don’t take it sporadically, take it on schedule. If you are having trouble or side effects from the medication, speak with your nurse or doctor.

At some point in your pregnancy, your doctor will order a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test to see how your sugar levels are doing. This is the test that signifies if you have developed gestational diabetes or not. Your best chance at fighting gestational diabetes is to practice the previously mentioned healthy lifestyle habits.

At the end of the day, do the best you can, and you will be fine. Enjoy this pre-conception time and your pregnancy! It’s a wonderful time in your life, and remember: you always have a fertility and wellness team on your side to help you no matter what.

Trying to conceive? Here are some ways to improve your chances.

Understanding Your Fertility Coverage and How to Use It

Virginia Hamilton Furnari — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 20:19:52 GMT

If you need to seek infertility treatment, your next likely question is “How in the world am I going to pay for this?” Hopefully, your answer is your insurance provider.

The first step is to figure out if your insurance policy includes fertility coverage and will help pay for the infertility treatments, tests, or other procedures your doctor may recommend. Maybe your insurance coverage includes a lifetime monetary stipend as fertility aid, or maybe it’s a set amount of IUI and IVF cycles. Maybe it includes only testing. Maybe your insurance plan doesn’t cover fertility at all. Just as every family is different, so is the insurance coverage for each of those families—or at least it seems that way. That’s why it’s so important to understand yours.

Your policy and the options offered will vary by state, by employer, and by cost.

With this guide, however, you will learn the different insurance opportunities to look for, the places you can find answers about affordability, and the other methods of paying for fertility treatment when insurance won’t cover everything you need.

Understand Your Insurance Coverage for Fertility Benefits

STEP ONE: Read your insurance policy.

This is admittedly time consuming and, well, not fun. But, much like with other financial hurdles, it’s very important. Insurance policies are packed with information, medical and legal jargon, and fine print, but our biggest advice is to take your time.

Look up terms as you read (Google will be your best friend)
Review with your partner
Write down the policy in a way you understand so you can refer back to your notes
Write down all the questions that popped into your head that are still unanswered. If you have employer-based insurance, ask your human resources representative for help. Or you can ask your questions straight to the insurance company – call the 800 number on your card.

What Does My Insurance Actually Cover?

As previously mentioned, there are many variations of fertility coverage under insurance policies, and your personal coverage (if there is any) will be listed in your policy explanation. Unfortunately, there are still many policies out there that don’t cover fertility treatments, but hopefully, you have a plan that recognizes that infertility is a disease.

If you have a policy that covers procedures, congratulations! There may still be limitations, so find out exactly what treatments your insurance will cover.

Some policies cover procedures like in-vitro fertilization (IVF), but may not pay for medications, which are a critical component of treatment.
Some policies cover a limited number of procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF, for example 3 IUIs and 1 IVF.
Be aware of caps on coverage, whether it’s annual or over a lifetime. For instance, a policy might say, “Here’s a $25,000 lifetime spending limit on fertility care.” ($25,000 sounds like a lot, but one IVF cycle can run you anywhere between $12,850 and $24,250.)
And while you may or may not need it, some policies cover the use of donor egg and/or sperm.
There’s also a lower end of coverage. Some policies will only cover a consultation and tests like a hysterosalpinogram(HSG), vaginal ultrasound, saline sonogram, and hormone bloodwork. Additionally, those may cover a sperm analysis as well. (Wondering what to expect with a semen analysis? Check it out here.)
Finally, you might be able to purchase “riders” to supplement your coverage. These are special insurance add-ons for, say, IVF treatment, that would pay for the treatment at a lower cost than an IVF cycle.

And then the bottom level of fertility coverage is no coverage at all. Unfortunately, many insurance plans fall under this category.

But wait – there is some good news! There is a wave of state mandates sweeping the country, making it mandatory for insurers to cover parts of fertility care. Check to see if your state has any mandated coverage. See below for an overview of the NY, and CT Fertility mandate.

Connecticut Residents

Connecticut law requires most insurance companies to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including up to four cycles of ovulation induction, a maximum of three intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, and up to two in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The Connecticut State Mandate requirements do not apply to employees in self-funded insured plans or to employees who work for certain religious groups.

New York Residents

New York requires private group health insurance plans that are issued or delivered in the state, and that provide coverage for hospital care or surgical and medical care, also must cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility for patients. They must be between the ages of 21 and 44 and have been covered under the policy for at least 12 months. The mandate provides up to 3 rounds of IVF, medically necessary fertility preservation, expanded drug coverage, and prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or gender identity.

Be sure to reference our handy guides to the New York and Connecticut state mandates for fertility coverage.

Okay, so we get the state laws and the different levels of coverage, but, as you probably assumed, there are still more layers to your insurance coverage…

Not Every Fertility Clinic is Covered

This is another piece of the insurance puzzle – the Fertility Clinic. Some insurance carriers will work only with fertility clinics that meet certain criteria.

What accreditations and experience should you look for?

They may require the fertility program to be a center of excellence. A “center of excellence” is a fertility clinic that is recognized as a trusted, high-performing center that often gets preferential coverage by many insurers. Those centers are also more likely to report to the Society for Assisted Reproduction Technology. SART is an independent, unbiased organization that lists the annual pregnancy success rates of participating fertility clinics across the country.

Other accreditations and licenses may be required, such as the College of American Pathologists stamp of approval for laboratories.

It may be obvious, but it’s also really important that you like your doctor. And part of liking your doctor is the experience and training that they have gained. Don’t settle for less than a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, the highest possible standard.

Need help choosing a fertility clinic?

What to Do When You Have Exhausted Your Insurance Options

No insurance coverage possibilities at all? You might feel like you’ve hit a dead end. But you haven’t, and rest assured that you are NOT alone! There are other ways to afford infertility treatment if insurance doesn’t cover all (or any) of your expenses.

Where can I look for financial help?

The first place you can look is your own income. Take advantage of your pre-tax savings options: Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, and Health Reimbursement Accounts. These all allow you to put money away tax-free to pay for medical procedures.

The second option you should check out are nonprofit and government agencies offering grants that could cover some procedures.

In Connecticut, for example, the Nest Egg Foundation provides grants of up to $10,000 for patients undergoing IVF if they can prove financial need and meet specific clinical criteria.

In New York, the state earmarks nearly $1 million annually for residents who earn less than $195,000 per year and who are good candidates for in-vitro fertilization. Eligible clinics all perform more than 100 IVF cycles annually and achieve at least a 30% success rate. The fertility clinics select the patients who will get the grants.

In addition, financing is available from several institutions, including many fertility clinics. When you visit a clinic, ask about how it might help you understand your insurance and find more money to pay for treatment.

Learn about Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is the time you can change health insurance plans to make them more beneficial for you and your specific situation. If you find yourself dissatisfied with your insurance options, explore changes you might be able to put into place during this period, whether through your employer or the individual marketplace. The opportunity to make changes in the individual marketplace for 2020 began on Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 15, but you should also check with your employer, as their employer-based insurance open-enrollment dates may differ slightly. (We have an entire article devoted to helping you navigate the open-enrollment season!)

Paying for fertility treatment is one of the biggest stressors in the entire cycle. For many, it can be a huge weight on their shoulders, and we want you to know that we’re here to help. Now is great time to act if you’re interested in using your insurance for coverage or switching to a more all-inclusive plan, and more personally, we all know that we want to reach our goals as soon as possible. In addition to the many grants, loans, and payment plans that are available to you, we want to you offer you the best information possible so you can make these decisions for yourself.

We recognize that we covered a lot here, so we created a handy FREE downloadable guide to financial planning for fertility treatment. We hope you’ll take a look!

Ready to create a financial plan for fertility treatment?

An Adoption Story from a Fertility Practice – Part 2

Mark Leondires, MD — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 19:14:09 GMT

The first thing that I remember about Laura? It was her dedication. She spent a lot of time and had almost endless energy into her quest to become a parent. For instance, when she accepted that her weight was a contributing factor, she persevered, having regular appointments with the RMA of Connecticut nutritionist. She was a “patient” patient, despite numerous frustrating test results and disappointing outcomes.

I had no doubt that she would be an amazing parent. Laura’s kindness and sweetness were apparent even through her most discouraged and sad moments. Though she was not a parent already, she was a teacher, and her sheer will, force, and determination to become a mom was always obvious.

At a certain point, after many IUI and IVF cycles that didn’t work, I talked to her about the need to consider other pathways to parenthood. This is always a difficult discussion. We reviewed that she had two options to consider at that juncture in her family building journey. The options were either donor eggs or adoption. With Laura, I encouraged her towards adoption as she and her husband had brought it up as a consideration in the past and that felt right to them.

Did you miss Part 1 of this adoption story?

In my practice, I discuss other family building pathways frequently, and any time I mention donor eggs or sperm to a patient, I also bring up adoption. On a regular basis, I encourage patients to meet with Lisa Schuman, LCSW (RMA of Connecticut’s Mental Health Director) to talk about adoption and all the options that are on the table for fertility treatment. I personally suggest this to patients as I feel strongly that adoption is an effective and appropriate way to become a parent… and that’s my goal—to help build families.

Because a patient might not envision their family-building journey culminating in adoption, we offer extra support under the guidance of Lisa Schuman.

“At RMA of CT, we understand there are many paths to parenthood.  Our goal is to help you find yours and build the family you desire. If you have any questions or need further information on this or any topic feel free to reach out to your navigator and set up an appointment. I would be glad to help." Lisa Schuman, LCSW, Director of Mental Health at RMA of Connecticut.

Why Should I See an Adoption Specialist?

There are four common paths to adoption, but please remember, I’m fertility doctor and a strong believer in seeing the right specialist for whatever path on your journey you choose. Thank you to Lisa Schuman for providing the descriptions and definitions of these three options:

1.   Private Adoption:

A private or independent adoption refers to an adoption in which the adoptive parents adopts a child through an attorney rather than an agency. They are able to hire professionals to place ads, help them with their website and engage their own social worker, but they do not have an agency with all of these elements in the same place. This option can be more or less costly than an adoption agency and longer or faster than an adoption agency based on the amount of professionals they use for help and the money they spend on advertising. This is an option for people who want to be very hands-on and construct their own adoption process.

2.   Adoption Agencies:

With this option, adoptive parents have one fee to pay until they become parents.  They also need to rely on their agency to speak with birthmothers on their behalf and advocate for them to birthmothers.  Agencies offer birthmothers several options so each prospective adoptive parent can feel they are competing with other parents. Also, adoption agencies will not match a prospective adoptive parent with more than one birth mother at time. Therefore, each parent to be needs to wait to see if the birthmother places before they connect with a new birthmother.  In independent or private adoption, parents-to-be can speak with several birthmothers at a time and as a result, if one situation does not work out, they have other birthmothers as options. Therefore, the agency adoption process is often longer.

3.   International Adoption:

“International adoption is a kind of adoption in which an individual or couple becomes the legal and permanent parents of a child that is a national of a foreign country. An international adoption is also referred to as “intercountry adoption” or “transnational adoption.” Unfortunately, there are fewer international options available and many who previously desired international adoption are now adopting in the US, making the US adoptions more competitive. 

Unfortunately, just like fertility treatment cycles can lead to negative pregnancy tests, adoption plans can also fall through. Working with adoption specialists that you’ve carefully vetted and feel comfortable with can help avoid an unfavorable outcome and give you resources for how to handle one if it occurs.

Is it Hard to Switch from Fertility Treatment to Adoption?

I hope that no one ever feels that they are giving up when they opt to change pathways and choose adoption! Becoming a parent, through fertility treatment or adoption, often does mean letting go of an original goal or dream. The process of shifting from fertility treatment to adoption can often bring on the following reactions:

Shock - Whether straight or LGBTQ+, in a couple or as a single person, there will be no genetic link. That is often an initially unwelcome realization.
Grief - For women, there is often a feeling of loss about not being able to carry and deliver a child. For all people adopting, there is grieving the loss of a genetic connection to a child they may have been hoping for.
Optimism - Move towards putting the focus on being a parent, rather than pregnancy or a genetic link. Establish a new goal—focus on having and raising a child.

Thankfulness - Acknowledge the work that you’ve put into becoming a biological parent. Give yourselves a big thank you and know that effort you’ve already put in will help you be a great parent. You are working harder than 99% of parents to be out there.

Do I Hear from Patients Who Move on to Adoption?

I love to hear from my patients that move forward with adoption. First of all, that they are now parents and have stepped out of the shroud of infertility. They reinforce the importance of doing the best I can to educate people on this pathway to parenthood. I continue to receive holiday cards from families. However families are created, through adoption or any other method, building families is the reason I come to work. It is powerful to hear from adoptive parents who thank me and the practice for caring for them and moving them towards adoption, because without that step, they would not have their children.

I consider these families part of our RMA of Connecticut family.

When a Patient Chooses Adoption Over Continued Fertility Treatment

I always feel disappointed when a patient doesn’t succeed on their primary family building pathway, but when I hear about success with adoption, I am thrilled. It’s my responsibility to educate people who are determined to becoming parents about all the pathways to parenthood, and I would hope that any board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist who is practicing would do the same thing.

While so many patients are successful in fertility treatment, some are not, and they deserve to fulfill their dreams in becoming parents. Our patients need to know about adoption.

Families are about love, however they come about! Knowing that Laura became a mom is a story that I will always cherish.

Looking for more adoption support stories?

An Adoption Story from a Fertility Practice – Part 1

Lisa Rosenthal — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:00:00 GMT

A fertility practice is an unlikely place to build a family through adoption, yes, definitely. But when I decided to write a blog in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, it was with the idea of giving adoption a story, a personality, a face… rather than just explaining the process logistics. The story that always comes to mind when I think about adoption is a patient of RMA of Connecticut who became a friend of mine over 7 years ago.

Side note: I promise, I’ll also definitely share relevant and appropriate adoption resources. Look for those at the end of the blog!

Who Goes to a Fertility Practice to Adopt?

Well, no one, really.

But to quote Dr. Mark Leondires, the fertility doctor featured later in this story, “ART [Assisted Reproductive Technology] is medicine, science, and a little bit of magic.”

You’ve likely heard the “You can just adopt!” comment from well-meaning friends or family. But if you’re struggling to conceive, there’s no “just” about it. Most of us have our hearts set on feelings like passing on family traits, experiencing a pregnancy, seeing our partner’s nose on our newborn, and our parents snuggling their new grandbaby. There’s no “just” about finding your way from fertility treatment to adoption. It’s a process of letting go of one dream and becoming enchanted by another one.

This particular adoption story begins when a patient, Laura, came into RMA of Connecticut, completely committed to becoming a mom the old-fashioned way. You know, through IUI or IVF! Treatment cycle by treatment cycle, Laura learned to listen and trust herself and her doctor, Dr. Mark Leondires.

I’ll let Laura tell her story from here…

A Journey to Adoption – A Patient’s Perspective

From the Beginning: Fertility Treatment to Adoption

As a child of 5 years old, I knew I wanted to become a teacher… and as I got older, I knew just as strongly I wanted to be a mommy.

Motherhood was not coming easy for me, and after experiencing a few heartbreaking disappointments, a friend of a friend recommended RMA of Connecticut. My feelings when I walked into RMA of Connecticut was that I had come home, although a very different type of home. I was welcomed with open arms and hope started to grow again in my heart. The staff was amazing, and never did I feel uncomfortable or judged.

I did two or three IUI cycles… and perhaps four to five IVF cycles. Big numbers, right? I was determined to do every single thing I could to become a mom. I did everything Dr. L suggested. I especially appreciated his patience when I used humor to get through hard conversations and disappointing results. Once, he asked about how my injection went and as I was sitting on the examination table, I answered, “I don’t know why it went wrong, but it was like a scene from CSI.” He chuckled, and I knew I had caught him off guard. There were many times where a joke, good or bad, was exchanged, and we shared a laugh.

When I think of adjectives to describe Dr. L, two come to mind immediately —compassionate and direct. Two traits I really appreciated as I knew he would always tell me the truth. I knew he understood my physical and emotional pain. He didn’t even need to tell me; I just knew. I also know he did everything possible to help me conceive, and I did conceive a few times. However, those little souls couldn’t keep growing for me.

I still tear up thinking about the last time I was pregnant. Dr. L called me personally. I was driving and heard my cell ringing and saw the familiar number. I pulled over to listen to the voicemail. Dr. L called me personally to say that I was pregnant and, in the background, I heard people cheering for me. Who does that? RMA of Connecticut does. Who expects that from a fertility practice? Dr. L was doing his very best to be the savior of my Mommy Dream. My relationship with Dr. L was special to me. He took his time with me, and I know he was there, fighting along with me.

Dr. L sensed my sadness deepening and recommended a support group. I met with a very helpful fertility counselor, who suggested Ladies Night In led by Lisa Rosenthal and another fantastic lady, Carrie Van Ness. I did Fertile Yoga every chance I could get with Lisa, who became another wonderful support for me inside and outside the RMA of Connecticut office. I also met with an RMA of Connecticut nutritionist and acupuncturist. Whatever there was to try, I tried it!

The Talk that Ended Fertility Treatment and Started Making Me a Mommy Through Adoption

When my last cycle ended up in a miscarriage, Dr. L had THE TALK with me.

He knew that my husband and I considered adoption an option, and Dr. L. was honest about which road to take next to make sure that we had a baby and became parents. He asked questions: did we have the finances to try another cycle, would we then be able to pursue adoption, should we accept that we gave it our all and now use the financial resources we had left to begin the adoption process? He went a step farther and gave me the name of an agency near me.

I admit that I was devastated leaving his office, but what more could I have done? Did I wish I was rich and could keep on trying ‘til my body got it right? Yes, but I knew I had to be realistic. And realistically, there’s a part of me that is still heartbroken. I love my daughter with all my heart, but I still feel broken. I was not relieved the cycles were over. I was a fighter and wanted to stay in the ring. My last pregnancy ended in August. By September I started researching agencies.

Then the thought finally came to me, “it’s happening… I’m becoming a mommy.”

Adoption, Full Steam Ahead!

We visited three adoption agencies. We chose an agency by December (less than 4 months after THE TALK) and started attending their mandated workshops. We understood this process could take a year or more, so we were prepared to wait. We had to write essays about ourselves, start an album about our life for birth parents to choose, and pay fees. The paperwork seemed endless.

At the end of January, we attended another workshop and were unaware we were being observed by one of the social workers. We were among many couples who attended that workshop, but I was the one to receive an unexpected call the following day.

Long story short… we were presented with a situation about a baby soon to arrive and were we interested?

YES!!!! A million times yes! What takes most people months or years, we were lucky enough to have happen in 3 short weeks!

Less than 2 months later, I was grading spelling tests and got a call around 9 pm. “Hi Laura! You have a beautiful baby girl!” We held Simone, our daughter, for the first time on Valentine’s Day.

I knew that adoption required a lot of money, time, and patience. But for us, unlike fertility treatment, it ended much more quickly than we anticipated or expected and with the best result of all—our daughter in our arms and home.

I wish I had been more of a traditional success story for RMA of Connecticut, that my fertility quest to carry a biological child had ended differently, but I know I am a success in a different way. While I wish I could have tried more cycles, I know my daughter, this specific, beautiful being, was meant to be in my life.

I am her mommy… as much as if I had been pregnant, carried her, and given birth to her.

Moving from Fertility Treatment to Adoption

Our families don’t always come about in the way we first envisioned. Sometimes we can’t even imagine the twists and turns our journey will take us on. Frequently, it’s letting go of the original vision that we had that puts us onto our right path to become parents.

And sometimes, it’s actually our fertility doctor who holds our hand on that path, past fertility treatment, as in this story, to a happy and successful adoption story.

Next, it’s Dr. Mark Laundries’ turn. He shares his perspective on this exact story with Laura, and you’ll see a well-rounded picture of how truly special this family-building journey was.

An Adoption Story From a Fertility Practice – Part 2:

Additionally, we would like to share a few upcoming events and adoption-related legislation.

Adoption in the News

In NY state, mainly due to Assembly member Pam Hunter, a law has been signed by Governor Cuomo so that adoptees will be able to obtain their original birth certificates when they turn 18, finding out the names of their birth parents. “There are over 123,000 children and youth waiting to be adopted who are at risk of aging out of foster care without permanent family connections. (AFCARS report)” Read more here.

Every Child Deserves a Family Act. There are 10 states that have adopted discriminatory bills, prohibiting LGBTQ+ people from fostering and or adopting children, while only 8 states have passed bills prohibiting discrimination.
“The Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) would prohibit federally-funded child welfare service providers from discriminating against children, families, and individuals because of their religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status. It also ensures that children and youth in foster care receive the identity-affirming, culturally competent care they deserve.”

If you feel like adoption might be in your future, here are some other helpful resources to consider:

A couple of adoption support blogs we like –

The Adoption Maven

Babble

Relevant and Trustworthy Adoption-Focused Websites –

Child Welfare.gov

Adoptive Parents

Adoption Council

Adoption Learning Partners

Want to learn more about what’s it like to work with an adoption agency?

Infertility and the Holidays: How to Cope

Melissa Kelleher — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:15:00 GMT

The holidays are a time of celebration, spending time with family, eating home-cooked food, and enjoying the good things in your life. For some, it doesn’t always live up to these expectations, especially for those going through fertility treatments.

Here are some helpful tips to get you through the holiday season:

Reflect on your traditions

Keep the traditions that have meaning to you and your family, but keeping up with the traditions can add more stress. Consider starting new traditions or even just changing it up this year. If, for example, it will be too difficult to be around a large family gathering, opt to have a smaller and more selective get-together with loved ones that are supportive of you as you go through fertility treatments.

Take time for yourself

It’s important not to get so caught up in holidays that you forget to take care of yourself. Remember to check in with yourself and take stock of your stress levels. Take time to rejuvenate during the holidays by choosing an activity that brings you enjoyment. You may decide to get that massage, go for a hike with friends, or have quiet time by enjoying a good book. Prioritize and learn to say no to other activities or parties so that you are not over-extended.

Plan ahead but have realistic expectations

Think ahead about how you will address your fertility issues if someone asks. Here are some important questions to think through, should these topics arise in your conversations: are you currently in treatment, did you recently have a negative pregnancy test or have an upcoming pregnancy test, did you recently suffer a miscarriage or loss? Also, consider if there will be any pregnant relatives or friends at this event. Addressing these questions and ideas will help you figure out what gatherings you want to attend and those you might wish to skip this holiday season. If you do decide to attend a party, plan an exit strategy ahead of time if it gets too emotional for you.

Consider reaching out for additional support

You may feel alone or feel like the only one struggling to get pregnant, but you are not alone. Reach out to your fertility clinic to see if they offer any support groups (online or in-person) or can recommend support groups in the community. Check your fertility clinic event calendars and local meet-up groups. RESOLVE is also a great resource that can offer local support groups in your area. Simply enter your location, and they will match you with a local support group. Social media platforms like Facebook have fertility groups that you can search for. Other websites that are good resources include Path2Parenthood.com and ReproductiveFacts.org. It can be comforting to connect with others who understand exactly what you are going through.

There is no rule book on how to spend the holidays

It’s okay to write your own rules. What might feel good for someone else may not feel good for you. It is important to find your own way as you navigate your fertility journey. Someone may find comfort in being around family members, and others may find more enjoyment planning time with their partner or a close friend.

What you decide today doesn’t have to be forever, and it is okay to make a change. As you go through fertility treatments, especially during this time of the year, do what’s best for you emotionally. If that means shaking up your typical routine, that is okay.

Do what feels right for you, so that you can find your own joy during this holiday season.

Looking for support groups in your area?

How to Pay for IVF Treatment Without Insurance

Tnori Shelton — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:43:37 GMT

So you’ve done all of the research about your various fertility treatment options, and now you want real answers to one of the greatest hurdles of fertility: the cost.

While assisted reproductive technology is remarkable in that it allows many people to have the family they’ve always dreamed of, it’s no secret that it is expensive. The costs of procedures, testing, and medication can quickly add up.

Your head may be spinning. “How in the world can I afford this?! Is my only option to pay it all outright? Can I get any help?!”

Deep breath...even if your insurance plan doesn’t cover fertility treatments, there are options out there. At RMA of Connecticut, we firmly believe that money should not stand in the way of your future family. While we do provide a financial assistance program (we’ll touch more on that later…), our hope is first and foremost for you to have the baby you've been longing and trying for.

Grants, loans, payment plans, and other financial assistance programs can help you to better afford in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or other fertility treatments out-of-pocket.

How Much Does My Fertility Treatment Really Cost?

While evaluating all of your financial support options, it’s important to take the time to check in with your health insurance provider to see if they will cover any of the costs. This is the time to be your own best advocate. Review your specific policy for covered and non-covered infertility services and ask questions of your insurer for clarification.

Also, inquire to see if your employer offers any sort of benefit. You may be able to tap into your HSA and FSA accounts to help to cover fertility costs.

It’s also important to know the true cost of things like IVF in order to understand how much you are fully expected to pay out of pocket. Long story short: IVF can cost you anywhere between $12,850 and $24,250. (Don’t get duped by the “cheap IVF” scams out there. Know what you’ll have to pay upfront.) It can be overwhelming to navigate alone, so it’s best to sit down with a financial coordinator to crunch the numbers.

How Do I Pay for Fertility Treatment Out-of-Pocket?

Now that you have a clear picture of the costs, it’s time to consider payment options. You might think your only choice is credit card or cash. Those are definitely options, but they aren’t suitable for everyone.

Thankfully, opportunity plans, loans, and grants are available to help qualifying individuals with the costs associated with fertility treatments.

Fertility Treatment Loans

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of infertility financing programs and services that assist in covering costs. While this process can be tedious, it’s important to contact each company to determine if their plan is the right fit for you.

EggFund

Started by an individual struggling with infertility, EggFund offers personalized loans for those who need financial help in growing their family. Financing options are available through Fiona, a loan service that searches, compares and recommends the best loan offers from top providers.

Loans are offered up to $100,000 and the APR ranges from 3.84% to 35.99%, based on your credit and lender’s underwriting criteria. EggFund’s clients can finance all aspects of the process, including medical treatment, testing, and medication; agency, attorney and storage fees.

Lending Club

This lender works with hundreds of providers nationwide and offers monthly payments as low as $279 per month. Lending Club offers one payment for up to three services including IVF, medications, genetic testing, fertility preservation and donor services. Interest rates range from 4.99 to 24.99%. Visit their online payment calculator to learn more.

LendingUSA

LendingUSA offers loans at a fixed rate with low monthly payments and fast funding. You can check your rate instantly on their website.

Health Credit Services

HCS Loans offer a no-fee online application process to see if you are approved for a loan immediately. No down payment is required, and the first payment is due a month after treatment begins.

New Life Agency

New Life provides insurance for fertility patients, intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, and the professionals of the assisted reproduction medical industry. Various infertility plans are available and you can call 877-952-5433 to discuss options with a representative.

Prosper Healthcare Lending

Prosper offers financing plans with low interest rates and fixed monthly payments. Individuals can finance up to $35,000 and pay it back with no retroactive interest or prepayment penalties.

ReUnite Assist Program

The ReUnite Assist program provides discounts off of specific fertility drugs for eligible patients.

Fertility Treatment Grants

It comes as a surprise to many that there are grants available to help families afford fertility treatments. Sure, it can be time-consuming to navigate the terms and fill out applications, but you could receive full or partial treatment funding from one of these grants. It’s important to note that grants typically have stipulations as to where you can go for treatment, and conversely, not all clinics accept all grants. You’ll need to make sure your grant inquiries match your fertility clinic.

Nest Egg Foundation

This Connecticut-based not-for-profit provides financial grants for IVF treatment to those who have been unable to start their families due to financial need. The grant will cover up to $10,000 of treatment and funding can be used at one of the two Connecticut Centers of Excellence.

Compassionate Care Program

The Compassionate Care Program provides eligible patients with savings based on income. Eligible patients may save 25% to 75% off the self-pay price of EMD Serono’s fertility medications.

Baby Quest Foundation

Baby Quest Foundation provides financial assistance through fertility grants to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures such as IVF, gestational surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, and embryo donation. Grants are awarded two times annually and vary in amount.

The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation

The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation’s Family Building Grant is an annual award that provides up to $10,000 to families to assist with the costs associated with infertility treatment or domestic adoption. Family Building Grants can take the form of a cash award that is payable directly to the clinic or agency, or as a medication award that will be sent to the fertility clinic of the recipient.

Hope for Fertility

Hope for Fertility’s National Grant helps couples overcome the financial difficulties that come with infertility treatments and can be applied to the clinic's in-house costs of the medical procedures or costs associated with the adoption process. Typically, grants are awarded twice a year but may be more or less frequent. Grant amounts range from $250 to $5,000. A $50 application fee is required and is considered a donation which may be tax deductible.

Parental Hope
Parental Hope offers two types of family grants to those struggling with infertility. The IVF grant covers the full cost of a standard IVF cycle. The FET grant covers the full cost of one frozen embryo transfer.

Starfish Infertility Foundation
This not-for-profit, started by a couple who struggled with the high costs of infertility, offers three different grants. The grants can be used towards treatment at any fertility clinic that is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).

The Bexleigh Grant is awarded to couples living within 100 miles of Nashville and who are uninsured for fertility treatments and without the financial resources to personally fund treatments.

The Braxton Grant and The Hatch Grant are both awarded to couples living in the U.S. who are uninsured for fertility treatments and without the financial resources to personally fund treatments.

Opportunity Plans for Fertility

To help make sure that our patients can access the high-quality care they need at the most affordable prices possible, Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut offers several service and payment options for those who do not have insurance coverage.

Customized opportunity plans are available for those who are looking to undergo IVF, PGS, eSET, frozen embryo transfer, egg freezing, The Egg Donor Program, surrogacy, fertility testing or our IUI infertility treatment.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your fertility journey but are concerned about the price tag, know that you have options, and we are here to help. Take the time to understand the true costs of treatments, what financial support options are available to help make treatments more affordable for you, and get the support you deserve along the way.

Are you ready to talk with a doctor about your options?

Open Enrollment Tips – Make Sure Your Infertility Treatment is Covered

Virginia Hamilton Furnari — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:00:00 GMT

Let’s say you work for a company that offers you insurance. Great!

And then you find out there is no fertility coverage under the plan. Not great.

In fact, that’s heartbreaking. Especially if you know you’ll be needing fertility treatments in the next year. The thought of not being able to achieve your biggest hopes because of a lack of insurance coverage is incredibly upsetting. With IVF costing anywhere between $12,850 and $24,250 out-of-pocket, affording treatment straight from your bank account is not an option for most people. Therefore, your first response might be that you have two options: take out a large personal loan or indefinitely postpone any fertility testing and treatment until you can afford it, or it’s covered by a future plan.

Before you accept another year of not having fertility coverage, paying for all your IVF or IUI expenses out-of-pocket, or just postponing treatment altogether, check out these three tips for the open enrollment. They will take honest effort from you, maybe several phone calls to your provider or employer, and some number crunching, but I assure you, your thorough research could pay off in getting you another step closer to success in family-building. Plus, it could save you major cash which is a huge hurdle in your bigger goals.

First, let’s briefly define “Open Enrollment.”

This is the time period where you can enroll, change, or drop your health insurance (whether it’s Medicare, employer-based, or the health marketplace) plans for the upcoming year. There are varying degrees of coverage, ranging in prices from hundreds of dollars a month for a single-person plan, to well over a thousand for a family plan. And that doesn’t include deductibles. That price can go up for more all-inclusive coverage.

Open Enrollment for 2020 lasts from November 1 to December 15 for most states. Although, a handful of states have elected to extend that (see if your state has an extension). However, you’ll need to ask your employer’s human resources department what their particular policy is. Employers set their own dates for open enrollment (it typically falls around the same time, but you should check just to be safe).

During this time, you can choose to stay on your employer-based health insurance or switch to another provider in the marketplace. You might decide to this for infertility-coverage reasons, which we’ll help you dig through below.

And, it goes without saying, if you are planning for – or are engaged in – fertility testing or treatments, it makes sense to have the plan that does the most at the lowest possible out of pocket costs.

Tackle this Open Enrollment season with confidence, and do. your. research. Here’s where you can start…

Want the ultimate breakdown for affording fertility treatment?

3 Things to Do During Open Enrollment to Ensure Fertility Coverage

1. The deadline is Dec. 15 but don’t wait until Dec. 14 to start your research.

You will want to read and understand your current policy as thoroughly as possible, and it’s not necessarily easy to understand. You may need to call the insurance company or talk to your employer’s human resources department to get correct and appropriate answers.

Then compare against the other available policies. Look for treatments covered by each policy, lifetime limits on infertility treatment and how to get treatments approved for coverage. Examine the formulary – the list of fertility medicines that will be covered. And make sure you are familiar with the annual deductible and additional payments that must be paid for each visit, procedure or prescription. Balance those expenses against the annual premium to determine which is more likely to cost less over the year.

Bonus tip: Learn the language of insurance from this RMA of CT blog.

Patient S.H. recommends, “Here’s something to keep an eye on: Blood work and fertility diagnostics should always be covered by insurance. Otherwise, you can end up paying thousands when you don’t need to.”

2. Use up your remaining 2019 coverage now!

Congratulations, you have chosen the right policy to help you cover fertility costs next year. Now determine how much of your annual deductible you have spent for this year. If you have gone through the entire amount, ask your doctors what tests you can do now to prepare for procedures in 2019.

The results from many tests are reliable for up to six months and your insurance will pay for the bulk of them until the end of the policy year. Your Flexible Spending Account, or other medical spending plans, are also valuable because you can use those savings to pay for any additional costs.

Bonus tip: Learn how different medical spending accounts work, like FSAs and HSAs.

3. Look into insurance riders.

If none of the policies offered by your employer provide adequate coverage for infertility treatment, it may be possible for you to purchase a rider. A rider adds coverage at additional cost, but this option could be less expensive than paying out of pocket or getting a different carrier. When or if you are planning one or more treatments for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), for example, the higher premium might be worth it.

Bonus tip: Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut guides patients through the process of evaluating insurance and getting the most out of your coverage.

Research all your options, use the coverage you currently have to its full extent, and look into all possible riders. Doing all of this is the best service you can give yourself, so that you can get the best medical coverage available to you, within your means.

And now is your time to act. Now is the time to read the fine print and understand what your options are, because if you wait too long, you might miss your 2020 coverage window. Again, I know that this all takes time, but think of how boss you’ll feel when you figure out this piece of the puzzle.

I understand that insurance is never a fun thing to talk about and waiting to speak to an insurance customer representative on the phone can really test a person’s patience, but remember the end game: your future family. The work upfront, right now, will all be worth it.

What if I can’t get infertility coverage? How will I afford IVF Treatment out-of-pocket?