Cut Ovidrel Costs - 3 Unique Strategies

Ovidrel provides the hormone HCG which stimulates the release of a mature egg, and is often used in combination with another hormone (FSH). Your doctor may prescribe other follicle stimulating drugs such as Gonal F as part of your IVF cycle.

Ovidrel costs can add up quickly by themselves, but often they are just one component of un-reimbursed medical expenses you may encounter while trying to conceive.  The average price of a Ovidrel injection without insurance ranges from $100 to $300. You may pay a little less for larger quantities.  This may represent a small fraction of your overall costs to get pregnant - especially if your employer's health plan does not provide infertility benefits - as many do not.

Anything that cuts costs makes a big difference.  It pays to research and understand the following:

• Avoid Ovidrel costs - have your health insurance pay the bill when possible
• Cut your Ovidrel price - by 1/3 or more with pre-tax dollars
• Offset Ovidrel costs - supplemental insurance will cover your normal labor and delivery

The best way to avoid Ovidrel and other costs of infertilty treatment is to have somebody else pay the tab - like an insurance carrier.  Check the insurance coverage for both spouses, and know the state laws mandating infertilty coverage for the states where both employers are headquartered, and where you live. 

Fifteen states have laws mandating infertility coverage.  Most apply to employers headquartered in that state, and some apply to insurance issued in that state.

Your Ovidrel and other ART costs as fertility drugs and In Vitro are tax deductible. There are two methods for taking advantage.  Each has different rules, and different advantages.  Pay attention to some of the limitations to maximize your savings, and make getting pregnant more affordable.

Take an itemized medical deduction on your IRS Schedule A. The first 7.5% of your household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) will be subtracted from the total of your total un-reimbursed medical expenses for Ovidrel, IVF, etc.  Clearly this option works best when total expenditure is high.

For example: A couple with an AGI of $100,000 does not realize any savings until expenses exceed  $7,500 in any tax year.  One advantage of IVF refund programs is that you may be required to purchase multiple cycles in advance, which may push your total expenditure far above this deductible floor.

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to realize tax savings on your very first dollar of qualified expenses, and you may also reduce the amount of FICA taxes you pay.  In addition, any money you contribute to an FSA lowers your AGI, starting your savings much sooner if you also use itemized deductions on Schedule A.

An often overlooked feature of an FSA is an interest free IVF loan that your employer(s) may give you under certain circumstances.  

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

Use the surplus to offset your Ovidrel costs, plus you will be protected in case of complications, premature birth, accidents, and illnesses.