Press Releases and Media News:
Some experts are concerned that when insurance companies don't cover more expensive, high-tech fertility treatments, couples could be in for more than one baby to feed.
But experts warn insurers may favor less expensive treatments that can result in more multiple births, or fail to cover more costly treatments that have lower risk of multiple births.
According to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.1 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired ability to reproduce, while 9.3 million women are currently using infertility services. And a recent study suggested that a woman's fertility may begin to drop as early as her late 20s.
IVF also involves the use of stimulating hormones, but the resulting eggs are removed and fertilized outside of the body. That allows physicians to limit the number of embryos transferred back into the mother.
Ironically, the same insurers that will not cover IVF will pay for the large numbers of babies that a less controlled method may produce.
"They say they don't want that situation and that is why they don't cover IVF, but actually the reverse is happening."
In the interim, options are available for couples who need to supplement their insurance coverage or pay for a treatment that is not covered.
Advanced Reproductive Care is the largest national network of infertility experts who want to bring high-quality infertility care to those who need it. ARC offers treatment packages and financing so that couples can receive the most appropriate treatment for their infertility with less regard for cost.
"We set up our program to be compatible with all kinds of economic situations that are out there," says Dr. David Adamson, a reproductive endocrinologist and CEO of the Palo Alto, Calif.-based organization.
Choosing the right treatment may ensure successful conception and help to alleviate many of the financial pressures that can lead to multiple births that are ultimately more expensive. Additionally, increased public awareness plays a role in bringing these issues to the fore and may help change the marketplace and what is available.
"The discussion seems to lead to more coverage because I think there are some employers who aren't offering any infertility benefit and they just don't realize it," says Tipton. "It also teaches the insurance companies that they can in fact offer this benefit without going broke."
Melinda T. Willis
ABCNews.com
May 15, 2002
|
To Help couples, nearly a third of the nation's 700 reproductive endocrinologists have banded together to form the Advanced Reproductive Care network in an effort to provide more financial options.
The group, 72% owned by the doctors who use it, provides financing, special treatment packages and a money-back plan that refunds the treatment costs if the couple doesn't end up with a baby. Several well-known infertility clinics-including Yale University and the Jones Institute at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, the site of the first in-vitro fertilization in the U.S. - are members.
The Wall Street Journal
September 8, 2000
|
But pessimism over government assistance has led patients and doctors to look for other ways to cope with the costs of infertility treatments. Some private physicians and doctors' groups are offering financial packages to patients that include refunds when patients are still unable to have a baby after treatment.
Adamson launched his company, Advanced Reproductive Care, in 1997 to offer an "economic solution" to couples who can't afford treatment. With a network of 250 doctors in 37 states, the company offers financial plans to couples that, Adamson says, help them manage the financial risk.
Adamson says a goal of the program is to persuade couples to enter infertility treatment at younger ages. Couples who encounter difficulties conceiving but are still in their 20s or early 30s often lack the money to pay for treatment.
"We're trying to move the demographic toward the 30-year-old," Adamson says. "Forty-year-olds often have the money to pay for treatment but have much lower chances of becoming pregnant."
Los Angeles Times
September 24, 2001
|
Millions of couples who are unable to have children have long been frustrated by the cost of fertility treatments. The most popular treatment, in vitro fertilization, in which a woman's eggs are fertilized outside the body, is not only expensive, but it doesn't always work.
So some doctors are now offering a host of financial incentives to make the treatments more easily available to everyone. The incentives include low-interest financing, discount packages, and even a money-back guarantee.
Dr. David Adamson is the founder of Advanced Reproductive Services. Dr. Adamson, good morning..........
Jane Clayson
CBS Early Show
Oct 1, 2000
|
CLAYSON: You are trying to relieve the pressure of trying to get pregnant the first time, is that what that is about?
Jane Clayson
CBS Early Show
Oct 1, 2000
|
Patient PM-P: Well, it's -- part of the -- part of what adds this stress is the unknown quantity of your financial outlay. And if you can define that in segments that are easy to break down and understand, it takes the stress off each individual cycle.
Patient PM-P
CBS Early Show
Oct 1, 2000
|
CLAYSON: It's an interesting idea, an interesting program. Dr. Adamson, thanks.
Jane Clayson
CBS Early Show
Oct 1, 2000
|
But meanwhile, don't despair if you're not eligible for benefits. There are several new alternatives for financing treatment:
Packaged medical plans: There are a number of clinics and one national network that charge patients up front for infertility treatments. Through Advanced Reproductive Care, a consortium of more than 250 reproductive endocrinologists in 37 states, you can, as an example, buy three cycles of in vitro fertilization for $27,000. If treatment is not successful in one year, $20,000 of that is refunded. Financing is available. For more information, call 888-990-2727 or go to arcfertility.com.
Ladies' Home Journal
May 2002
|
Health & Fitness, Health News ~ The Detroit News
"WSU physicians offer money-back guarantee"
Frustrated that so many patients have to wait years before undergoing in vitro fertilization due to the high cost, several Wayne State University doctors offer payment plans and a money-back guarantee to couples who want a child. Dr. Michael Diamond, a Wayne State University reproductive endocrinologist, who also serves on the board of directors of the Advanced Reproductive Care network, says the company will help build families for people who could not otherwise absorb the financial risk associated with fertility treatments. The typical cost for one cycle of treatment is about $12,000. Nine doctors in Michigan are members of the company, which has more than 200 members nationwide.
Compiled by Tracy Boyd 11/21/2000 Copyright 2000.
|
News.Excite.com ~ PRNewswire
May 10, 2000
Advanced Reproductive Care Launches National Infertility Treatment Plan with Money-Back Guarantee –
…The ARC Fertility Program®, now available through more than 200 ARC member physicians across the United States is a unique treatment and financing program that helps patients to overcome insurance coverage limitation that prevent them having access to necessary medical treatment. Unlike insurance plans, ARC offers a flexible reimbursement option that refunds patients up to 100% of their medical and pharmaceutical costs if treatment is unsuccessful.
|
|
|
