Download Premom App
Comparing Costs: Premom Virtual Consultations vs. Fertility Clinic Visits
May 9, 2023 | By Dr. Patti Haebe, N.M.D
Just the word “fertility” feels expensive these days, reproductive clinics come with an expensive price tag but hold the promise of an incredible gift.
The fertility journey looks different for every person. For some, they’ve watched family and close friends struggle to conceive and worry about what the conception process will look like for them. Others have been trying for a few months and are already starting to feel the pressure of that first positive pregnancy test, even though ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines don’t encourage their OB’s to start investigating irregular cycles until they’ve been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for 6-12 months. Meanwhile, the fertility journey for some has been long and arduous, perhaps burdened with the label of “unexplained infertility.” The next steps in their fertility journey may be completely unknown.
Where Do You Go?
So when you find yourself looking at reproductive technology, what does the cost look like and what other options are there?
On average, the cost for just an initial visit to a reproductive endocrine fertility specialist costs between $200-400 dollars, at which time, often a slew of testing and medication regimens are recommended. $400 worth of blood testing, up to $300 for semen analysis or up to $3,000 for a hysterosalpingogram… and that’s before any treatment has started.
After that, infertility treatments such as IVF can cost $11,500 on average per cycle, not including cost of medications. Even lesser interventions such as Clomid monitored cycles of IUI can quickly reach up to $4,000 per cycle. And insurance? Good luck. It’s not often covered -- or if it is, not until high deductibles have been met, and only if the prices don’t exceed policy lifetime maximums.
That being said, investigating the root cause of subfertility is absolutely essential, but sometimes it’s hard to know who is the right reproductive endocrinologist for you -- or maybe you are wondering if your OB/GYN, PCP or someone else would be able to help you before taking this spendy next step. Is there someone who could help you get pregnant naturally without so many expensive interventions?
Unfortunately, many people’s voices are left unheard in overly busy OB/GYN offices who are often tied to the ACOG’s infertility guidelines, preventing them from investigating causes of subfertility before 12 months of TTC unsuccessfully (if <35 years old) or 6 months of TTC (if >35). Their hands are tied, they are very busy and it’s hard to find compassionate care in the current medical system.
A New, Better Option with Premom
Here at Premom, we see these gaps in fertility care and our mission is to bridge the gap between people like you and fertility specialists of all kinds. Our goal through Premom Advisor is early intervention and prevention at an affordable price that fits your unique needs.
By providing secure virtual consultations through your Premom phone application, we are bringing you convenience, affordability and customization of your conception process needs! By offering services such as fertility awareness method instructors and fertility specialized nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors, we can help you find the exact person to fit your needs, whether basic or complex.
Premom consultations range in cost from as little as $40 for a 30-minute virtual consultation, up to $200.
You are able to browse through our wide variety of fertility specialists, read practitioner bios and find a specialist who fits your needs. You can even take our quiz if you aren’t sure where to begin, or check out this blog post to learn more about the different fertility specialists we connect you to.
If you are concerned about your cycles, want to get pregnant as soon as possible or just want some help nailing down the basics of using LH strips and tracking BBT, check out the “Schedule Consultation” tab under the More navigation in your Premom app and book your first virtual consultation today!
**While we don’t currently offer diagnosis, prescriptions or lab testing through the app, Premom consultations offer invaluable cycle insight, data interpretation and education to help you conceive naturally.**
Dr. Patti Haebe is a results-obsessed naturopathic doctor. She specializes in pre-conception preparation, fertility and hormone optimization. She is committed to root-cause healing through therapeutic supplementation as well as targeted diet and lifestyle modifications. Her virtual practice, Ocotillo Integrative Medicine, provides integrative consultations worldwide via webcam for those looking to incorporate natural, proactive approaches to their healthcare and fertility journey. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Haebe right through your Premom app!
Sources:
https://www.advancedfertility.com/fertility-treatment-costs.htm
