The Attain IVF Program
Many couples have a limited amount of money to allocate toward
building their family through advanced fertility treatment or
adoption. The cost of IVF and the uncertainty regarding the outcome
can be a major concern. Southeastern Fertility Center is proud
to offer the Attain IVF Program (formerly known
as the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program) which was developed
to reduce a couple's financial anxiety by fixing the costs associated
with multiple IVF cycles. This program limits the amount of
money
"at risk" and preserves capital for other family building
options should IVF fail.
How does the Program Work?
It's easy. You pay a fixed, discounted fee that allows you to
try up to 6 IVF cycles (3 fresh IVF cycles and 3 frozen IVF cycles).
The fee varies by your age. When you take a baby home from the
hospital, we retain the full payment whether on the first, second
or third attempt. However, if you are not successful or if you
drop out of treatment, up to 70% of the fee is refunded. A similar
program is available for donor egg treatment with up to 100%
of the fee being refunded if you are not successful or drop out
of treatment.
A couple achieving a pregnancy on the first attempt will pay
more with this program than the traditional fee for service payment
methods. On the other hand, if the attempts aren't successful,
we assume the bulk of the costs.
Donor egg recipients and couples requiring ICSI are eligible
for this program at slightly higher fees.
Why Doesn't Everyone Offer This Program?
To offer such a program, a fertility center must maintain higher
than average IVF delivery rates. Additionally, the unique, non-traditional
nature of the Attain IVF Program represents a dramatic
change from the typical fee for service payment. The concept
of
a "shared risk for IVF" was carefully reviewed and
analyzed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
They
stated that with appropriate checks and balances this type of
program can be ethically pursued and provide great benefit to
patients. The feedback we have received from patients over the
last eight years reinforces our strong belief in the ethical
nature
of this program. We offer the Attain IVF Program as an
alternative financial option but do not try to persuade couples
to participate. We advise everyone considering this option to
weigh the benefits of this program vs. the traditional fee for
service.
Who Qualifies for This Program?
Couples interested in participating in the Attain IVF Program
must complete a full medical screening and be considered appropriate
candidates for IVF or Donor Eggs. For the IVF program women must
be able to complete all 6 IVF cycles (3 fresh IVF cycles and
3 frozen
IVF
cycles)
by their 38th birthday if using their own eggs. There is no age
limit for women using donor eggs. Acceptance into the program
is at the sole and subjective opinion of IntegraMed America.
Over
the past ten years, approximately 70% of couples that applied
have been accepted into the Attain IVF Program.
Financing Options
Worried about how you can pay for your fertility treatments?
Southeastern Fertilty Center is pleased to provide access to
financing through Springstone Patient
Financing, who offers
convenient, low-interest and flexible financing programs for
all types of treatment, including the Attain IVF Program. Click
here to learn more about Springstone and to apply online.
Through Springstone, your Attain IVF Program and other infertility
treatment expenses can be paid for over a period of 18 to 84
months, at low fixed rates.
A Patient's Point of View
"The Attain IVF Program gave us peace of mind while
we were going through IVF because the costs were fixed-no surprises.
Once pregnant, we were comforted knowing that if anything happened
to the pregnancy, we could try IVF again or adopt."
Questions & Considerations
Our goal in offering the Attain IVF Program is to help
infertile couples create or expand their family, with less financial
anxiety, when insurance benefits aren't available to help defray
the costs.
Does the Program guarantee a successful outcome?
This program does not guarantee a successful outcome. As is clearly
stated in our written and verbal communication, we don't expect
nor do we guarantee every couple will take home a baby. However,
the Attain IVF Program does guarantee that the cost of an IVF
cycle will be limited if the treatment is unsuccessful.
Why does the Program have age and other limitations?
The delivery rate in the Attain IVF Program must be maintained
at or above 30% per cycle for this program to be financially
feasible
for us to "share the risk." Therefore Shared Risk Refund
participants must be able to complete three IVF cycles by their
38th birthday. However, patients using donor eggs are eligible
for the program even if older than 39. The age limit was not
set
to "skew" the outcomes in our favor but rather works
to maintain the delivery rate that allows us to offer the Attain
IVF Program to eligible couples who have no insurance benefits
for
IVF.
How many patients actually qualify?
Over the last 10 years approximately 70% of couples who applied
have met the eligibility criteria for the Attain IVF Program.
Are different therapies used for Shared Risk Refund patients?
The therapies used for patients are the same whether you are
in
the Attain IVF Program or not. Typically, the Attain IVF Program
is only discussed after IVF or donor egg treatment is chosen
as the medically appropriate therapy.
Questions? Call us today 843-881-3900.
To watch a video about the Attain IVF Program click here.
For more information about the Attain IVF Program ,
click here.
Click here to start the application process online.
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