Budgeting

BabyLove

Hi everyone-

My wife and I are just about ready to move forward with the baby making. Based on what I've read, IUI makes the most sense for me. No fertility issues, regular periods, in good health, etc. I also have Carefirst Blue Choice. Between the cost of sperm and getting the IUI, how much can I expect to spend?

And yes, I am visiting my doctor next week, I just thought I'd run this by everyone first.

Thanks!

tllkks

I have no idea how much we spent on sperm - we've purchased twice. We joined Club Fairfax to get the best 'deal' of buy 5 vials, get 2 free (I think that was the promotion at the time, but it's been a few years.) We purchased twice, just to have enough. We used 5 vials for the first pregnancy and then had some stored for a second. Overall, we probably spent close to $5,000 maybe on sperm and storage over the years (maybe more...I don't have the receipts in front of me to verify.) Cost of sperm also depends on your donor type too, I think (ID Consent v. Anonymous). We tried once at home (with 2 vials) and then 3 times in the doctor's office. Each try in the office was $400, so a total of $1,200 there. And then adoption expenses of about $3,000 if I remember correctly. Overall, it's been a pretty expensive process, but I wouldn't do anything different. We've tried 2 rounds of at home IUIs and have not been successful again yet. I know many people like at home because it feels more "real" but I don't mind going to the doctor and letting them do it. I'm all about increasing my odds of getting it to work (because then you can sell back your unused vials and get some money back, but only if you store them with Fairfax.)

Hopefully that helps a little bit. Good luck!

JJZFamily

Our doctor charges $705 for the iui and all ultrasounds per cycle for self-pay patients (those whose insurance does not cover fertility). Sperm runs $725-$825 per vial and shipping is around $250. Hcg trigger and progesterone (endometrin) together were $195. So we estimate that each cycle with one iui only will cost just under $2000.

journey2you

I will be doing my first IUI at the end of August. I was found to be in good health by my RE after having Labwork, Saline HSG (Femvue) + SIS (Saline infusion sonogram/sonohysterogram) done. He recommended that we try an un-medicated cycle first then see where we need to go.
I predict that i will spend approximately $485 this cycle for shipping and the actual IUI. Below are some of the costs associated with my journey, not all of these will apply this cycle being that my insurance has approved some of the ultrasounds and Dr. visits.
Costs:
$3300 for 4 vials purchased (open ID option)
$30 on the child photo
looks like shipping will be $235 for a 14 day tank
IUI $250/per
Ultrasound $125
Office visit $66
storage removal fee $45
monthly storage fee @ Fairfax $40

POT03005

JJZZZ Where are you guys? Our RE charges 405 per iui.

txgrl74

My RE only charged $195 per IUI and there was a $95 charge for the sperm thaw. So $290 per IUI total. Then it was $200 per ultrasound, although apparently in November or December the insurance informed them that they changed their policy and they would cover all ultrasounds. So this year I paid $37 each ultrasound. I usually had anywhere from 3 to 4 ultrasounds a cycle. About $90 for the gonal F and ovidrel and Letrozole on my medicated cycles. (until I maxxed out the drug benefit.)

JJZFamily

Kerri - WOW!! We are in Orlando...the $705 includes every visit, every ultrasound, and the IUI. It's unlimited. Last month I must've had 5 ultrasounds? This month I may only have 3.
Anyway, I thought we were getting a good deal....lol. We absolutely LOVE our doctor, and have heard "interesting" stories about the others in the area. So in a way, I feel good about paying the $705?? But gosh I am sure curious what the others are charging....

POT03005

OMG so each cycle costs you like 705+ sperm?

Since we hit our deduct this year with the delivery of our son, we only pay 20% of what the "contracted rate is which has literally only made us pay maybe $200 the last two cycles but the straight up fees for one moth is approx $1600 (that's a clomid check at the begining, midcycle u/s and two piggy-back IUI's or so.

chaffinsl

We just paid out of pocket for the sperm and IUI costs, everything else is covered by insurance. IUI at my doc is $250 including thawing, but that's all we've been out and were lucky enough to get pregnant the first time unmedicated.

JJZFamily

My insurance doesn't cover "infertility", so we are considered self-pay. Yep, it's $705 just for the doctor. Sperm, sperm shipping, and meds not included.