Financial

Pay On Your Account

Initial Financial Appointment

Financial Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Cost Sharing Plus Program

The decision to start a family is the first step in a lifelong commitment of love, time, and financial responsibility. Monica Rocha-Smith, the Financial Coordinator at Mid-Iowa Fertility will explain and assist you with the complicated aspects of insurance benefits.

Understanding the insurance aspect of infertility treatment can be overwhelming. We have provided this information in an effort to help clarify the basic categories and coverage available to many patients. These categories of coverage pertain to IVF as well as other forms of fertility treatments and procedures. Monica is available to work with our patients so they may receive the benefits their insurance company provides.

Those couples seeking IVF treatment who do not have health care coverage or another benefit plan providing payment for these services, may qualify for our Cost Sharing Program. Please click here to review qualifying criteria or you may contact Monica to see if you meet the guidelines for this program.

Pay On Your Account

As a convenience to our patients, you are now able to securely pay your bill online using PayPal.  Click on the button to access or create your PayPal account.  If you have any questions regarding online payments, please contact our office at (515) 222-3060 or toll free (888) 306-3060 or via email by clicking .

Initial Financial Appointment

Your initial appointment with our Financial Coordinator may be in person or over the telephone. At that time Monica will walk you through our fees and financial policy. She will help you determine if your insurance company requires notification before beginning treatment.

Should your insurance offer benefits for treatment Monica can assist you in obtaining the maximum benefits from your coverage.

Once the physicians have mapped out a treatment plan for you, please contact Monica to setup an appointment at 515-222-3060, extension 103 or 888-306-3060 or at

Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about your first appointment

Cost Sharing Plus Program

Participation/Guidelines/Services

Why do you offer this program?
Many couples desire to have children, but are unable to conceive. Unfortunately, some insurers don't cover infertility treatment (or cover it at reduced levels). As a result, they must pay for services out of their own pocket. Especially in the case of advanced treatment, they simply can't afford it. Even for those that can obtain the finances, some are hesitant because there is no guarantee that treatment will be successful. This program helps couples to (1) specifically define the costs they will incur related to treatment, and (2) drastically reduce their total out-of-pocket expense if treatment is not successful. That leaves them a significant sum of money to pursue adoption or any other expenditure that they might choose.

What are your participation criteria? Am I eligible?The criteria that determines preliminary eligibility is as such:, the female partner must be under age 38 at the time of the egg retrieval(s), the female can not have had a previously unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, the female Body Mass Index (BMI) must be <30 and her Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test <10.

If you meet these criteria, you are eligible to enter the program and begin the prescreening process. There are a number of criteria that might cause a couple to be ineligible for the program. The criteria for the female are:

• Acceptable uterine function (e.g. no fibroids, polyps, or other abnormalities) as defined by a sonohysterogram.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test with a result of less than 10. This test is predictive of the female's ability to produce eggs.
• An acceptable Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT). This series of two blood tests measures the female's response to infertility medications and can predict whether successful treatment is possible.
• A negative screening for HIV (AIDS) and Hepatitis.

The criteria for the male are:

• Acceptable semen analysis (count) and morphology (study of sperm shape, size, etc.) The morphology must be normal and the count must be greater than 10,000,000.
• An acceptable Immunobead Test (showing no existing antibodies).
• A negative screening for HIV (AIDS) and Hepatitis.

What if I am determined to be ineligible after the screening tests?
Treatment can certainly continue—just not under the Cost Sharing Program (CSP). Successful treatment is possible, even if the CSP screening criteria are not met.

Download PDF of Exhibit A

Why do you have these guidelines?
The purpose of the guidelines is to help determine which patients have a substantial opportunity for success. As you might imagine, Mid-Iowa Fertility is assuming some financial risk by offering this program. The practice simply can not afford to offer this type of program if the couple comes in with factors that limit the possibility of success.

What services are included in the prescreening fee?

• Sonohysterogram
• Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT)
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Tests
• Estradiol Tests (E2)
• Venipuncture (blood drawing) Fees
• Semen analysis and morphology (male)
• Immunobead Test (male)
• Screening laboratory tests (HIV, Hepatitis B, etc.)

What services are not included in the prescreening fee?

• The initial consultation with Dr. Young or Dr. Cooper.
• A hysterosalpingogram, if it is necessary.

What services are included in the program fee?

• Patient education and injection teaching
• Blood tests and folliculograms (ultrasounds) to monitor ovarian response
• Any and all drug costs associated with any cycle (stimulated or frozen)
• Retrieval of oocytes performed in the clinic under anesthesia
• Fertilization of egg(s) with male sperm (ICSI, if required)
• Incubation in embyro laboratory
• Cryopreservation of any excess embryos to facilitate potential frozen cycles, including storage for eighteen (18) months following a successful cycle.
• Transfer of embryos
• Follow up testing, including quantitative blood pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to confirm the success of the cycle.
• All services related to frozen embryo transfers (FET). The number of possible FET's as part of this program is limited by the number of embryos available and the medical indications.

Are there any services not included in the program fee?

• Any expense related to the treatment of medical complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation, infection, tubal pregnancy, or spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
• Any costs related to the acquisition of donor semen, if needed.
• Counseling or psychological assistance related to infertility issues.

Download PDF of Exhibit C
Download PDF of Cost Sharing Plus Program Agreement

Can I terminate this agreement?
The agreement can be terminated, but there are some limitations. It can not be terminated in the middle of an active cycle. If it is terminated between cycles, the couple will be billed for all services received at the standard retail price in effect at the time that services were provided. Patients will receive a refund of the remaining program fee balance.

Is there any reason that Mid-Iowa Fertility might terminate the agreement?
On occasion, it will be determined by MIF that continuation in the program is not in the best interest of the patients. Events that might cause MIF to terminate the agreement are:

• Poor ovarian response
• Poor oocyte quality
• Patients no longer accepting of risk of multiple pregnancy
• Medical complications
• IVF becomes an inappropriate treatment option

If the CSP is terminated by MIF, the patient will receive a full refund of their program fee, less the prescreening fee, the withhold amount for the cycle(s) attempted, and any unpaid fees for services provided to the patients which are not included in the program.

Financial Questions/Implications

How much does the program cost?
The prescreening fee is $1,500.00. This fee is not refundable. If, for some reason, the couple is ineligible to continue in the program because of the screening criteria, they will be billed for the individual services received to that date. Any remaining balance can be used toward the expense of any other non-CSP services received at Mid-Iowa Fertility.

The program fee is $18,000.00 for women age 35 and under and $22,000.00 for women ages 36 and 37. For this fee, the couple receives up to three (3) stimulated IVF cycles and as many frozen cycles as is feasible/medically indicated in a one year period.

If additional services are required, such as ICSI or assisted hatching, there are additional charges.

Why do you have additional or special withholds?
Because there are some circumstances where Mid-Iowa Fertility incurs additional risk or when things occur outside of Mid-Iowa Fertility's control. The special withholds help offset some of those risks.

I have insurance coverage. Does this program make sense for me?
Generally speaking, no. If the couple has any insurance benefits for treatment, it is most likely not advantageous for the couple to participate in this program. Please note that if insurance benefits do exist and the couple wants to participate in the program, the couple is required to waive their right to file claims with that insurer.

What if I get pregnant in the first cycle? Do I get a refund?
No. It is possible that if a pregnancy is achieved in the first cycle, the couple will have spent much more than they would have otherwise by paying for the cycle individually. That is an element that must be considered when looking into program participation. While there is the possibility that it would cost more if success is achieved in the first cycle, the program also provides significant savings if pregnancy is not achieved or is achieved on a later cycle.

Do I get a refund if I have a miscarriage?
If a miscarriage occurs before eight (8) weeks gestation, the cycle is simply considered unsuccessful and the couple can continue in the program if additional cycles are available. If a miscarriage occurs between eight (8) and twelve (12) weeks gestation, the cycle is considered unsuccessful and the couple may continue in the program, but there is a special additional withhold. If the pregnancy extends beyond twelve (12) weeks gestation, no refund is available. There is no refund because Mid-Iowa Fertility is no longer participating in the care of the patient and does not control the factors that may cause a miscarriage. When miscarriages do occur, the vast majority occur before twelve weeks.

Are there financing options?
Mid-Iowa Fertility requires that all fees be prepaid. However, as a service to our patients, we work with CaptialOne Healthcare Finance who will provide financing. We do not endorse or profit from any of these organizations and the couple must qualify for credit on their own merit. You may apply online at www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com or 1-877-559-5050.

Miscellaneous Questions

I've heard some concerns about the ethical implications associated with this type of program. What is Mid-Iowa Fertility's position on this?
Ethical considerations were of the utmost importance when this program was being developed. The guidelines of both the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the National Advisory Board on Ethics in Reproduction (NABER) were strictly followed.

What if I have other questions?
Simply contact Monica, the Financial Coordinator in our office at 515-222-3060 extension #103 in the Des Moines area. Outside the Des Moines area, couples can call toll-free at 888-306-3060 or you may email her at .