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Free Micro IVF Cycle from East Coast Fertility

East Coast Fertility has launched an Extreme Family-Building Makeover contest, the third and final contest in its summer giveaway series. Three contest winners will each receive a $100 restaurant gift certificate and be eligible for a free Micro IVF Cycle at East Coast Fertility. The IVF cycle will be awarded the day after Labor Day 2011.

To enter the East Coast Fertility contest, contestants must submit a video stating why they need an Extreme Family-Building Makeover. Prizes will be awarded to the top three videos, and those three will be automatically entered to win the Grand prize: a free Micro IVF cycle. Winners from East Coast Fertility's April and June contests are also entered to win.     

Complete rules, including submission requirements, are available on the August 1, 2011 posts of East Coast Fertility's Facebook page and its blog, The Fertility Daily or by clicking this link.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/08/p1832374/free-micro-ivf-cycle-from-east-coast-fertility#ixzz1U9mRqJnx

 

This contest will run from August 1, 2011, through August 28, 2011. Entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. EST on August 28, 2011. Complete contest rules are available on http://www.eastcoastfertility.com/. The three contest winners will be announced on TheFertilityDaily blog (http://www.thefertilitydaily.com/) and Facebook on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011.

About East Coast Fertility:
East Coast Fertility (ECF) is the premier center for infertility care on Long Island. Established in 2002 by Dr. David Kreiner, the program is designed to utilize the most recent developments in reproductive technology while minimizing risks to the patient. ECF's use of Micro IVF and their encouragement of Single Embryo Transfers are evidence of their desire to limit multiple births. In addition to achieving the first successful IVF, cryopreserved, and donor egg pregnancies on Long Island, Dr. Kreiner and the ECF team are known for delivering high quality care with a personal touch. Dr. Kreiner's distinguished line of training, experience and awards culminate in some of the most competitive pregnancy success rates in the country. His personal philosophy is demonstrated daily through practice policies that make fertility treatment both affordable and successful.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/08/p1832374/free-micro-ivf-cycle-from-east-coast-fertility#ixzz1U9mV5AQU

Miss Manners

This week I received a disturbing email from a donor (who donated quite a bit of meds to the program with multiple recipients). I am very upset to hear, as well as to report to you all her feelings regarding this program. Although she is donating more meds to the program, she wanted to make me aware that NONE of the ladies she had previously donated to had thanked her in the least bit for sending her meds to them at no cost (other than shipping).  Because of this she has had reservations about donating more meds to the program which could benefit so many OOP IFers in need.  She was generous and she wanted to feel appreciated which we can all understand. Please remember to put yourself in the lady who is donating her meds to you shoes, not all of our donors have succeeded in getting pregnant. Actually quite a few are donating their meds because the meds will expire before their next attempt at IVF/IUI.  Many of the women are also OOP which is why they feel the need to donate their meds to someone who they feel a common bond with.

Some wonderful ideas shared by donors who have connected with their recipients -

• Email your donor when you have updates, here are some examples:

         "I just came back from my RE and I have 20 follies growing we are hoping for ER in two days"

A picture of your Embryos/new baby "Just wanted to pop in and say Thank you - it's partly because of your generosity that we are here!"

• Send a link to your blog so if your donor would like to 'stay tuned' to your journey they can (ask for theirs too)
• When you receive your meds in the mail - hand write an old fashioned 'thank you' card (using the return receipt address from your meds package)
• Ask them about their journey, remember they have an IF story too... know who your meds are coming from 

Kelly's low turned into a HIGH!

My husband Chris and I began fertility treatments in October 2009. After a few rounds of clomid (unsuccessful), four failed IUI's (the latter two we moved onto injectibles), and two IVF cycles ending in BFN's, we were feeling the hardship of paying for drugs out of pocket. Even though we got creative and switched to his insurance after mine had run out, those drugs are expensive! We had nothing left, and we seriously considered stopping our quest to become parents. 

I remember our lowest point (too) well: It was time to do my Ovidrel injection prior to our second IVF retrieval. Somehow I managed to pull the rubber stopper back too far on the pre-filled syringe, and all of that precious Ovidrel dribbled down my hand onto our bathroom counter. I lost it. This, I thought, was our last chance. If I couldn't do my trigger shot, how could we keep our retrieval appointment...retrieve the eggs...GET PREGNANT AT ALL? We ended up finding a Walgreens that carried Ovidrel and I had my RE call in a last-minute prescription about ten minutes before they closed. It was so stressful, and the extra $90 we spent that night only made me feel worse...

And then I found oopmeds on a fertility message board. The program allowed us to undergo a third round of IVF, which WORKED :). I'm now 27 weeks pregnant with a little boy. We could NOT have afforded (nor would my husband have considered) a third round of IVF without your help. You are amazing, and I wish you all the wonderful luck and karma you've earned by helping so many women like me!!!

Kelly

http://kbrecycling.tumblr.com/

Don't feel ashamed to ask for help...

Fertility Centers Receive Donations

It can be nerve wrecking to ask for help and admit your financial need, especially when you are asking someone you have a professional relationship with.  However, many offices acquire left over meds from their patients, most of those meds will be expiring soon and you are cycling NOW! If you do not let your doctors/nurses know how much a donation would benefit both you and your wallet they will most likely think you have it all under control, and might pass along the donation to the next couple who was not afraid to ask.  You shouldn't be embrassed,  the doctors are well aware how expensive their procedures are, they watch the news and know that the country is in a financial slump, and know that most people do not have medical insurance covering fertility treatments and meds.

If you still need extra confidence in asking, remember he didn't have a problem asking you to shimmy down further on the table while he examines your hoo-ha!  

OOP Med Program Recipient - Success!

Congratulations Carriane (CBubbles2)

CBubbles2 ~ "Thank you so much for running this wonderful program. We got our BFP on our second IVF cycle that two lovely ladies donated meds for. I am currently 19 weeks pregnant with a little boy. We couldn't be happier!"

Family Act of 2011, S 965

• Tax Credit Bill for Infertility Treatments introduced in the U.S. Senate
• A bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with infertility medical treatment has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY).  Aptly named the Family Act of 2011, S 965, this bill will potentially help thousands of people seek medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. 
  Write to your U.S. Senators immediately and ask them to co-sponsor the Family Act of 2011, S 965. 
  Our goal is to get as many Senators as possible to co-sponsor this bill and to seek a hearing on the bill in the appropriate Senate Committees.   Please ask your two U.S. Senators to co-sponsor Family Act of 2011, S 965.  Please urge your family and friends around the country to send a letter as well.  We need thousands of letters flooding the U.S. Senate!
  The full text of the Bill will be posted shortly.
  To read the letter sent by Senator Gillibrand to other members of the U.S. Senate, click here.
  Key provisions of the bill:
  
  • The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) including diagnostic tests, laboratory charges, professional charges, and medications for IVF.
  • The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs of fertility preservation procedures if the man or woman is diagnosed with cancer and the cancer treatment or disease itself may result in infertility.
  • The Family Act has a cost sharing provision allowing 50% of all applicable medical expenses to be  covered up to a lifetime maximum of $13,360. You would need to have out-of-pocket costs totaling $26,720 to claim the entire credit in your lifetime.
  • If you do not owe taxes in a particular year, do not owe enough taxes to use the whole credit, or do not reach the max amount in one tax year, it carries over to the next year for a max of five years after the first year you use the credit. 
  • The Family Act is available to couples filing jointly with adjusted gross incomes of less than $222,520, but the credit is smaller for those earning between $182,500 and $222,520. 

What YOU Can Do Today:Our goal is to get as many Senators as possible to co-sponsor this bill and to seek a hearing on the bill in the appropriate Senate Committees.   Please ask your two U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the Family Act of 2011, S 965. Please urge your family and friends around the country to send a letter as well.  We need thousands of letters flooding the U.S. Senate! Updated

A Creative Car Loan For Mindy's IVF

I am super excited.  DH and I had a few options we were looking into for financing IVF.  Unsecured personal loans, credit cards, etc. 

On March 22, 2011 I went into my credit union to inquire about a personal loan.  The loan officer stated that we would not be able to borrow more than $10K (which I was expecting).  She also stated that our minimum interest rate would be around 13.6%.  I was expecting a high interest rate, especially since I was asking about an unsecured loan, but I was not expecting it to be that high.

I told her that 13.6% would not work for us, since we had a credit card with a rate of 12.8%.  When I was about to leave, she started to get creative.  She remembered that our car loans were through them.  She pulled our file, looked up the value of are cars and compared them to what we owed.  Between the two vehicles we had $18K “equity.” 

So we consolidated the two loans and we’re pulling the equity out of our vehicles.  It will be a 4 yr loan, and our total car payments will be less than what we are paying now, with an interest rate of 3.14%.  I didn’t even know you could pull equity out of your vehicles. The best part is this gives us enough to pay for our IVF!  We closed on our loan Monday March 28th.  Hooray! 

Hell Has No Wrath Like a Woman Scorned

Fellow Ladies Battling Infertility
I implore you to contact PETA regarding their Give-A-Way for Infertility Awareness week.
Give 'em hell ladies - it sure is a great way to vent!

757-622-PETA (7382)
http://www.peta.org/features/win-a-vasectomy-from-peta.aspx?CommentModerated=true


From PETA's Website:

"Win a Vasectomy From PETA! It's a two-fer: Get your animal companion fixed, and get yourself fixed too! Human overpopulation is crowding out animal life on the planet, and dog and cat overpopulation is creating a euthanasia crisis that is a crying shame. Disappearing wilderness, vanishing water resources, and pollution is the price that future generations will pay for more human births, while losing their lives is the price that millions of homeless dogs and cats pay when guardians neglect to "fix" their companion animals.Every year in the U.S., an estimated 6 to 8 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters. The best way to combat the companion-animal overpopulation crisis is to have your cat or dog neutered. And with a global population of almost 7 billion humans, more of our species could use a (voluntary) snip too.Now, one lucky man can be reproduction-free, free of charge, just like his pooch or feline friend. In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 to 30), PETA will give one free vasectomy to a man who has recently had his companion cat or dog neutered. Don't worry boys—you'll still be able to enjoy sex. But your neutered dog will be less likely to face the health and behavioral problems that unneutered dogs experience."

IVF Insurance Can Save Government Money

 

Fewer multiple births in states with insurance coverage for infertility

Faced with the prospect of costly in vitro fertilization (IVF) but with no help from insurance coverage, some infertile couples feel pressure to transfer multiple embryos in an attempt to ensure that the IVF is a success. This can lead to higher rates of twin and triplet births and prematurity. But having insurance coverage could curtail the costs associated with these multiple births, according to a new study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine.
Published in the current issue of Fertility and Sterility, the study found that the 15 states, including Connecticut, that provide insurance coverage for infertility saw significantly lower multiple birth rates. The authors say this translates into tremendous savings on the costs of maternal/fetal complications. In 2005, it was estimated that the economic impact of preterm birth was $26.2 billion nationally.
IVF is an effective treatment for the reported 7 million women who are infertile, but it is unaffordable for many infertile couples. Since 1998, more states are providing IVF coverage. Connecticut, for instance, covers up to two IVF cycles under state mandate.
In this study, Yale researchers analyzed assisted reproductive technology cycle data from 2006 provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. They categorized that year's 91,753 fresh, non-donor cycles by age group and by whether the cycles were performed in states with or without a mandate for IVF coverage. States with mandates for insurance coverage of infertility treatment not including IVF were characterized as non-mandated states.
The study showed that pregnancy rates, live birth rates, twin and triplets are higher in states without mandated insurance for IVF because they transfer significantly more embryos than states with coverage for IVF. In contrast, insurance coverage for IVF is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of multiple pregnancy, particularly among younger women under the age of 35.
When IVF is not covered by insurance, physicians often feel pressure from patients who have financial incentive to maximize the per-cycle success by requesting the transfer of more embryos and willing to take the risk of multiple pregnancies, according to senior author Pasquale Patrizio, M.D., professor and director of the Yale Fertility Center in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
"Increasing the number of states that provide coverage for IVF would lead to improved maternal-fetal health and lessen the economic impact that multiple births have on the health system and it would also reduce physician pressure to transfer more embryos," said Patrizio. "It does not make economic sense to see insurance not covering IVF but then pay for the costs associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity."
"By reducing the patient's financial burden, state mandates may lead to a reduction in embryos transferred," said first author J. Ryan Martin, M.D., assistant professor at Yale, who sees patients at Yale Fertility Center's new facility in Westport, Conn. "Patients and insurance companies will both benefit from a reduction in multiple pregnancies."

A light at the end of the tunnel for OOP Maine Ladies?

 

Bill To Mandate Infertility Treatment Coverage Debated

Legislation Would Require Insurance Companies To Cover Infertility Treatments

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Lawmakers in Augusta heard emotional debate on Wednesday that would require insurance companies to pay for infertility treatments.

Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island already require insurance companies to cover the treatments, which can run in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Megan Brooks testified about her struggle over the past four years to get pregnant.

"I feel that infertility treatments should be covered for all people. I don't think motherhood is an option. I think that we should all have the opportunity to be mothers," said Brooks.

Brooks was not the only one struggling to hold back tears during Wednesday's hearing.

"Doctors have suggested to us over the years that we move to other New England states to get coverage, and we continue to stick by the state of Maine and still do," said Mike Staggs of Bar Harbor.

The bill would mandate insurance companies to cover infertility treatments. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Gary Knight, said it would only apply to married couples and people who are infertile from reasons other than sexually transmitted diseases.

Critics said the bill is discriminatory.

"As the legislature moves forward, and considering this legislation, its important for them to eliminate the provisions that discriminate against women who are not married and women and men who have contracted a sexually transmitted disease," said Shenna Bellows of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

Others who oppose the bill said the coverage mandate will also raise premiums.

"Every mandated benefit has a cost and that has to be born by somebody, and in this state most mandates fall most heavily on the small businesses," said Peter Gore with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

Fertility treatments are covered under the health insurance state employees receive, but with some exceptions.

The legislation will go to a work session on April 1.

** To check the status of your States Mandated IF Coverage please see the Insurance Help Tab above**

Infertility Tax Credit

 

** This information was copied from the Resolve.org website **

What is the Infertility Tax Credit Bill?

RESOLVE supports a bill that would create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs incurred for the medical treatment of infertility.

Who will this bill help?

While all the details of this bill are not final, RESOLVE feels strongly that when this bill passes it will help thousands of couples defray the cost of medical treatment for infertility.  The financial burden of an infertility diagnosis is significant, and any means to help offset these costs is a positive development for women and men who are faced with infertility medical treatment.

Are there similar tax credits already in place?

For many years families have been created with the help of the Adoption Tax Credit, and we hope this new tax credit will achieve the same level of success for those trying to cover the costs of medical treatments.  Read more. 

Has a tax credit bill been introduced?

As of March 22, 2011 a bill has not been introduced in the House or Senate.  RESOLVE is working closely with legislators in both the House and Senate on draft bill language. We anticipate that the bill will be introduced soon.
RESOLVE is thrilled to be working alongside legislators and others in the infertility community who have already expressed very positive support for a tax credit bill.

What happens once the bill is introduced?

Once the bill is introduced, it’s up to YOU to talk to your elected officials in the House and the Senate and ask for their support of this bill. RESOLVE will lead this effort and provide everyone with information on how to ask for support.

How can you help get the Infertility Tax Credit passed?

Right now participating in RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day is the event that will be key to getting this bill introduced, co-sponsored, and passed. Learn how to be part of RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day. 
Your elected officials need to hear from you about why this tax credit is so important to those diagnosed with infertility.  It is your right as a citizen to talk to your lawmakers who will be voting on whether or not this bill passes.  If they do not hear from you they will not realize the positive impact it will have on so many women and men trying to build their family. Also, pass this information on to your doctor, friends and family and ask them to support our efforts. 

Need a refresher course on how a bill becomes a law?

TheCapitol.net has some very easy-to-follow information about how a bill becomes a law.

Jamie's Journey to Success

I went through my first and only IVF cycle in August of 2009.  I had saved for 3 years and obsessed for many more than that.  I was ready, nervous, stressed and excited.   We ended up paying for a Shared Risk program through attain for a little “insurance” in case it didn’t work.  I had told my husband about the OOP meds program that was being run by the board and he was excited about the possibility of it helping us out, I was too.  Ironically I had become friends with Jenny Z. who was on the same timeline as we were and she so just happen to become the OOP meds coordinator just before I started my cycle. 

Needless to say, Jenny Z. is a wonderful person and organized this program beautifully.  She matched me with several girls who had extra meds.  These girls shipped me their left over meds, took the time to pack in ice packs and all I did was pay shipping.  Can you say AMAZING!  I was blown away at the kindness and generosity of the girls on this board.  I would venture to say that the program saved me thousands of dollars in meds and made the whole process a little less stressful.

I had 5 eggs retrieved, 5 were mature, 5 fertilized, 2 gorgeous embies transferred on day 5 and 2 more made it to freeze.

I was stunned on Sept 2, 2009 (my birthday) that I was pregnant and even more stunned 6 weeks later that I was carrying twins. 

The absolute greatest thing to ever happen to me, my boys Colin and Cody will be 1 year old on April 23^rd.

I owe the OOP meds program so much and thank the wonderful girls who give their time and energy to run it. 

To the girls that offer to donate their unused meds, what a blessing it is to be able to help someone through this process.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Jamie

journeytobaby

KaliChick's Victory

With her permission, here is an exerpt  from a fellow OOP IVF'ers Blog:

"Even though we aren’t cycling until next month, Dr. K wanted to go ahead and order the meds.  I knew there would be several, but honestly, I had no idea exactly how many.  Estimated cost?  $5,000.  That’s just the meds.

Most fertility drugs aren’t available at just any pharmacy.  You can’t just walk into CVS and pick up a syringe of follistim.  It has to be ordered and generally it’s all ordered from online pharmacies.  Dr. K prefers The Apothecary Shop.  Last week I got the call that my med order was in and ready to be reviewed and ordered.  I asked what he had ordered (since we didn’t really ever go over that with Dr. K since we weren’t sure when we’d be cycling).  She starts listing off meds.  I lost count.  She asked me if we had insurance and when I told her yes and then she told me she doesn’t deal with our insurance at all.  So I told her I would call her back.

We have Kaiser (KP) health insurance.   Actually, we have a Point-of-Serivce (POS) plan that allows us to see KP and non-KP doctors.  It even allows us to bring in prescriptions from non-KP doctors.  It doesn’t, however, pay for IVF.  As far as I knew, it didn’t pay for fertility drugs either.  However, I had to believe they would pay for the antibiotic and a few other meds.  I mean, they weren’t specific to fertility.  So, I figured I’d try.  I called KP on Friday and after 3 different pharmacy locations, I got one that could actually help.  KP Garden Grove has a fertility clinic (they do IUIs only) and so they stock many of the meds, plus they are a compounding pharmacy.  What I found out is that they would cover some of the meds at copay only and if they stock the fertility drug, it’s a 50% copay.  Victory!!!

On Monday I took all 10 prescriptions over to KP Garden Grove.  I got an awesome tech who was more than happy to run price quotes for me.  All of the “non-fertility” meds  were covered at copay only.  The total for 5 prescriptions was $120.00.  That’s a pretty big savings over having just ordered them and paid full price at Apothecary (I’m guessing about a $500 savings).  They also cover Menopur at 50%.  Apothecary quoted me almost $2,800 for just the Menopur (KP is $1100).  The remaining stimulating and trigger shots aren’t covered and are actually cheaper with Apothecary so I’ll order from there.
The breakdown is about $2900 total combining KP and Apothecary.  Had I just gone with Apothecary it would have been about $5000.   Everything with KP would be $3,300.  It pays to price shop!
And for those inquiring minds …. here’s the list of meds:
I
njections
Follistim AQ Cartridge solution 300 iui (x 4)
Menopur Intramuscular Injection 75 iui (x 40) (this is a lot by the way)
Ganirelix Acetate 250 mcg/0.5mL (x 5)
Pregnyl powder 10,000 units Intramuscularly (this is the trigger shot)
Progesterone in Oil 50 mg/mL Intramuscular (this is done after retrieval)

Other meds

Prometrium Capsules 200mg (x 60 capsules)

Medrol 8mg (x
Doxycycline 100mg (x 40)
Vivelle-Dot film (estrogen patches x 10)
Needles/Syringes
-------------------------------------
My point is, please price shop!  Even if your insurance company doesn't pay for Fertility meds, call them!  You might be surprised!!  Many of them will pay for the antibiotic, PIO, prometrium, patches, medrol, etc.  That can save you a few hundred alone.  And as well all know, when you're dealing with IVF, every single penny counts.  I saved close to $2,000!  I realize many wouldn't get that big of a break, but you don't know if you don't ask.  I almost ordered everything from Apothecary without questioning it, and then I realized that I pay high premiums for insurance just like everyone else and I should give it a shot and it paid off.
If I have meds at the end of my cycle and am successfully pregnant, I'm more than happy to donate the meds.  I'd rather have someone use them then have them go to waste."

~ KaliChick

OOP Wants to hear from you...

Have you received meds or donated your unused meds through the OOP Meds Program? Do you have experience haggling with pharmacies to get the best price? Did you receive help from a grant or patient assistance program to fund your IVF? Did you have fundraisers to finance your IVF?  Did you write your state legislator regarding infertility coverage? Did you write an appeal letter to your insurance company?
If so we want to hear from you! Besides being a one stop source for IVF OOPers, much like the program that this blog is named for: the oopmedsprogram blog is a forum for ladies to provide advice, tips, and share their stories to empower & give hope to other ladies who are also forced to pay out of pocket for their infertility treatments.

Please email me at oopmeds@yahoo.com with anything that you would like to share with the readers of this blog. You can also provide a link to your blog to receive more followers or remain anonymous - it is up to you!

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