Phoebe: IVF Refund Plans. Really?

I have been doing a lot of fertility research lately.  Thank god for my meaningless job and the internet and all of you amazing people out there spouting off about this stuff.  One of the things I heard on the Twin Peas podcast is that fertility clinics are suffering in the economic downturn.  You wouldn’t know it from walking into mine, but if this is the case, isn’t it time they started offering discounts?  One of the myths that was dispelled on this podcast is that doctors can’t negotiate prices.  It turns out doctors are the only people who can negotiate prices.  In fact, a friend of mine had two failed IVF’s with a doctor and after she switched, he offered her a free one if she was willing to come back.  Sounds like they have some pull after all.

On a blog called The Fertility Advocate, I read about a clinic called SIRM that has offices all around the US and is offering a risk-sharing plan “for qualified patients.” In other words, they don’t make you a baby, you don’t pay.

Here is the link: http://www.thefertilityadvocate.com/wpblog/?p=753

Can anyone speak to the legitimacy of something like this? It seems too good to be true. Like, they’ll get you in the door and then figure out “oh gee that’s so funny ’cause you’re not qualified.”

I contacted this SIRM joint to see what they had to say. Here’s how it went down:

Hello,

I have had two unsuccessful IUI’s and we recently learned from a fertility urologist that my husband has pretty severe male factor infertility. He has a varicocele that is likely the cause of 57% of his sperm having damaged DNA. I am about to turn 37, so we feel we cannot wait six months to see if the varicocele repair surgery will be effective. We are in the process of beginning an IVF cycle now that will involve taking the sperm directly from the testicle, rather than from the ejaculate. I start Lupron injections on Monday, 3/30. I read about your CGH risk-sharing plan, and would like more information on it. It would be nice if our fertility clinic shared in some of the risk we are taking on. Especially in these times, $20k is a lot of money. Please contact me at xxx xxx xxxx.

Thank you,

Phoebe

The prompt reply:

Dear Phoebe,

Your timing is great in inquiring about risk sharing because we released another program that screens all embryos for chromosomal problems and if you have normal embryos and don’t become pregnant you get 100% of the medical fees refunded. I would highly encourage you to call Jennifer at the front desk tomorrow and set up a free consultation with me. Once we determine the specifics of your case, you can talk to our office manager, Linda, and get all the details of the full refund program. Additionally, there are other programs such as the two-cycle program or the outcome based program, which re the most popular programs. All of the programs are much less than the amount you’ve mentioned below with up to 100% refund.

Hope to speak with you soon.

Aykut Bayrak, M.D.

Medical Director

SIRM – Los Angeles

1520 E Chevy Chase Drive, Ste. 101

Los Angeles, CA 91206

Tel: (818) 291-1985

Fax: (818) 291-1986

www.haveababy.com

I got online and starting asking other advocates if they had heard about such a thing. One woman who is an attorney specializing in fertility asked me if I had read the contract associated with the risk-sharing plan.

Dr. Bayrak,

Thank you for your prompt response. Would you be willing to show me the contracts involved with the risk-sharing plans you mentioned in your previous email?

Thank you so much,

Phoebe

Again came the prompt reply:

Let’s evaluate you first to determine which type of treatment and plan would best work for you. The we can give you the specifics. Please contact us at the number below for a consultation.

Aykut Bayrak, M.D.

I am somewhat suspicious, but now that my husband and I have decided to get his varicocele repaired, I am thinking it might not be a bad idea to go in and get the consultation. What harm can it cause?

I also sent a long email to my RE with a litany of questions about the consent forms and the IVF procedure. My final question was about the risk-sharing plan and how he felt about such things. I have not yet gotten a reply. I am glad that I decided not to start Lupron injections TODAY. They asked me to sign their consent forms promptly. Ironically, one of the things they want me to sign says that I HAVE BEEN COUNSELED BY MY DOCTOR.  They really expect me to spend $20k and sign my life away without being counseled?  I won’t get an oil change without talking to someone.

Now that we’re going the varicocele repair route, I have at least three months if not more to chill and figure things out.  In that time, I’m glad I can drink ‘caf coffee again and exercise whenever I want. I am also thinking about fertility acupuncture. Anyone know whether it’s covered by insurance and/or whether or not it is effective?

Please advise, ya’ll…

Phoebe