Cut Bravelle Injection Costs: 3 Strategies

Bravelle is a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). It is used for ovulation induction and for the development of multiple follicles. It is often prescribed in conjunction with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to induce ovulation following treatment, and is also used frequently as part of In Vitro Fertilization and other procedures. Many insurance plans won't cover Bravelle or other fertility treatments. Those that do may leave you with large co-pays, or policy limits.

If you are pursuing an Artificial Reproductive Technique (ART) program, keep in mind that your Bravelle costs may be just one component in your total expenditure. You may face expenses for:

• Other fertility drugs - Bravelle is often taken together with drugs to induce ovulation
• Other infertility treatments - Bravelle may be prescribed as part of IVF and other procedures
• Resulting pregnancy - This is your objective for taking Bravelle in the first place. Now is the time to think about maternity leave pay.
• Multiple pregnancies - Follicle stimulating hormones produce extra eggs, which may be fertilized. Multiple pregnancies are born preterm creating a additional cost consideration.

Take a few minutes to find out if medical coverage is realistic for you, learn about how to use the tax code to best advantage, and discover how supplemental insurance can create maternity leave pay, and provide added security for complications of pregnancy, and bonus payments for multiples born prematurely.

The best way to avoid Bravelle and other costs of other fertility drugs, and artificial reproductive therapies is to have somebody else pick up the tab - like an insurance company.

Check the medical coverage for both spouses. Employer sponsored programs are the most likely to cover infertility treatments as many state mandates apply to group plans, rather than those issued to individuals.

Bravelle side effects include breast tenderness; headache; hot flashes; nausea; stomach pain; and vaginal bleeding. Your primary health plan may cover the costs of any ensuing medical treatment. If these side effects impact on your ability to work, short term disability may replace a portion your income during this time. In addition, by purchasing coverage while taking Bravelle your maternity leave will be a covered benefit.  

The average price of a Bravelle injection without insurance is $1,000 for 15 vials. You may need just the fifteen injections, many more, or you may use other drugs in combination with a variety of infertility treatments. If you are taking Bravelle as part of IVF the total amount you might spend skyrockets. The average couple requires three IVF cycles to get pregnant and bring home a baby. Your total expenditure could then top $50,000 or more.

Your expenses for Bravelle, other fertility drugs, including IVF are all tax deductible. Two tax vehicles can be used, but each has different advantages. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) provides first dollar tax savings, and greater overall expense reduction as it allows you to avoid payroll taxes on any contributions. Schedule A deductions don’t begin until your expenses eclipse 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). If you are taking Bravelle alone, your costs may fall into the category where a FSA works best.

Your are taking Bravelle in an attempt to get pregnant. When you buy supplemental insurance preconception your normal labor and delivery will be a covered benefit and the cash payments you receive may greatly exceed the premium you pay. 

Use the surplus to offset your Bravelle costs. Remember that you are stimulating multiple follicles, which generates multiple eggs, which may generate multiple embryos, which may become a multiple pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies are often high risk. Mom may miss extra time from work. The infants are often born pre-term. You may be left with extra hospital expenses.

Supplemental insurance replaces mom's income if she needs to leave work early for bed rest, while she is recovering from childbirth, and if her recovery is delayed due to complications of delivery. Also, additional payments may be made for each infant confined to the NICU.