In Vitro Fertilization Program Offers "Money Back Guarantee"

CINCINNATI—Cost is one of the biggest issues with in vitro fertilization (IVF), but a new program offered by University of Cincinnati (UC) physicians could help eliminate some of that stress.

The Center for Reproductive Health (CRH) is now offering a service called the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program. For one fee (excluding the cost of medications), women may attempt up to three fresh IVF cycles and three frozen embryo transfer cycles. If the patient doesn’t take home a baby, 70 percent of the fee is returned (100 percent if donor eggs are used).

IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that involves stimulating the ovaries with fertility medications to make extra eggs. The eggs are then removed, fertilized with the partner’s sperm in a laboratory, and allowed to grow into embryos. One or two embryos are then transferred into the uterus.

“The average person has difficulty affording just one chance at pregnancy through IVF,” says Daniel Williams, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the IVF program, a partnership between UC and Christ Hospital. “This program increases the odds by providing up to six attempts to become pregnant for just one fee.”

Fees for IVF programs vary across the country, but the cost of one fresh and one frozen IVF cycle at the CRH is $7,800 (without medications). The Shared Risk Refund Program costs less than two cycles at the CRH for eligible patients.  

“Although the majority of patients will be successful with IVF treatment, the reality is that most patients need more than one cycle to be successful,” Dr. Williams says. “By offering this exclusive program to our patients, it allows them to optimize their chances to take home a baby. While patients do pay more upfront than they would with just one cycle, the refund guarantee helps reduce the financial stress of treatment.”

CRH has clinical offices at Christ Hospital, St. Luke Hospital (Florence, Ky.) and University Pointe (West Chester). It’s the first practice to offer the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program in Ohio and Kentucky. For more information, visit www.ucfertility.com or call (513) 585-3344.