I found out today that my fertility benefits at work are changing January 1st, 2011. The good news is that the benefit is increasing. Currently, the infertility benefit is 50% coverage up to $3,000 lifetime. Next year, it will be $5,000 coverage each calendar year, subject to deductible and coinsurance. This is significantly better, in part, thanks to healthcare reform (got rid of the lifetime max).
Oridinarily, this would be great news for me. It would have been nice to have this coverage 3 years ago...However, after 3 years of infertility and all my fun IUIs, I'm about out of my $3,000 of infertility coverage for 2010. We have scheduled (for the second time this year) our first IVF in July 2010, and because we will be hitting the lifetime max, we will have to pay for the entire thing out of pocket. This is about $10,000 for us - give or take - including drugs. We are financing this endeavor through a home equity line of credit, and have been prepared for these costs for the past 4 months.
We have been waiting for what seems like FOREVER to get on an IVF schedule that would work for us (since March), not to mention waiting FOREVER to even get pregnant. My heart is very impatient - telling me we need to just DO this IVF thing ASAP. I'm not getting any younger, ya know! I'm [now] 30 and DH is almost 33. However, my brain tells me to be patient for the financial aspect. If we could wait just another 6 months and do IVF in January 2011, it would cost us less than $5,000 out of pocket and I could flex $2,500 of that. The rest would be covered by insurance. DH is definitely not a patient person and doesn't care much about money or having to spend the rest of this future child's college fund on his/her conception. That tells you he sides with my heart.
Are the 2011 cost savings too significant to ignore - should we wait? Or do we go ahead with our July IVF - pay the extra $5,000 - because we are already prepared for it in mind and in spirit - knowing that if IVF does not work the first time (God forbid) that we will still have the 2011 coverage for a 2nd go at IVF next year? What would you do?!
WOW! What a conundrum! If you wait and and it does not work in January will you be able to afford second try in 2011? Or would you have to wait until 2012? If you would have to wait then I would definitely do it now, but if not then maybe consider waiting. I would also weigh the financial strain it could cause now. If there is no strain then being the impatient person that I am I would do it now.
ReplyDeleteHope you two can figure out what is the best timing!!!
Wow, that is definitely something to consider! However, being the person that I am the heart and the hubby would definitely win out.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this is a tough one! Can't say for certain what I'd do in that situation, I agree with both the heart & the brain and I know that after everything you've gone through to get to this point the last thing you want to do is wait more....ugh! Definitely a very personal decision between you & John, hope you guys are able to decide on what you feel is best for you guys as a family. That's really amazing though that your company is offering such a generous infertility benefit...you're very lucky, even if you don't use it this time in the future to know it's an option is incredible!
ReplyDeleteThat is tough... I'd probably go for it this year--but that's just because I'm impatient, and I can't abide the thought of more time passing without doing something... But I know you need to make the right decision for you.
ReplyDeletePraying that you'll know which path to take!
Have you figured out what you are going to do yet?
ReplyDeleteThat is such a tough decision. I wish I had some sound, wise advice, but all I can say is that I am praying for you guys. For wisdom and peace...that whatever decision you make you will know that it is the correct decision! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteICLW!
That's a tricky decision. I'm very impatient. I would still keep the July IVF. But, that's just me. Best of luck in making this decision!
ReplyDeleteAshlee
ICLW #180