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The Shared IVF Success Program at InVia Fertility (SISP) Ethical issues and controversies related to a 100 per cent money back guarantee IVF program Part III

There are several ethical issues and controversies regarding money-back guarantee programs. Let us discuss some of these as they apply to the Shared IVF Success Program at InVia fertility (SISP).

Ethical Issues and Controversies

Transparency

Not all patients qualify for SISP. The ones who qualify are generally those with a good chance of getting pregnant. At InVia Fertility Specialists, we make sure that we provide patients sufficient information to make an informed choice about whether or not to choose this option. For example, patients who meet program qualifications for SISP are generally informed that they are otherwise good candidates for successful IVF, and thus might not need to purchase this form of insurance. Out-of-pocket costs are clearly explained e.g. pre-testing, medications, management of complications, surgery (laparoscopy or hysteroscopy), anesthesia and pregnancy monitoring are NOT included in the price. We generally keep pre-testing to a minimal and patients are given a clear idea of the other associated costs prior to starting a cycle.

Appropriate Medical Care

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It is considered unethical to treat SISP candidates more aggressively than other fee-for-service patients. For example, one may be tempted to transfer more embryos in a SISP patient in order to get her pregnant. At InVia Fertility Specialists, we follow ASRM guidelines for number of embryos to be transferred in ALL our patients. This has been discussed in a previous blog by Dr Karande.

Nonmaleficence

If a patient has an unexpectedly poor treatment cycle, the program has the option to withdraw these patients so as not to obligate patients to futile treatment, and these patients will receive a full refund. This would be in the mutually beneficial to both the program and the patient.

Defined outcome

SISP clearly defines what is meant by a successful outcome. We have two programs. One (with a fee of $18,000) defines success as an ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks gestation. But, what if there is a selective reduction done for high-order multiple pregnancy with subsequent loss of the entire pregnancy in the second trimester? Or, what if there is a termination for chromosomal abnormality discovered after the 12 week cut-off? Or, what if there is a problem during the rest of the pregnancy or labor? For insurance against these (and other possibilities) we have a second program (with a fee of $24,000) where success is defined as a live birth.

Inclusivity

Under this ethical principle, the inclusion criteria should include the majority of patients that need IVF. The problem with including older patients, or others like those with diminished ovarian reserve is that we would have to increase the price of the program potentially making it unaffordable.

SISP is a cost-effective and ethically appropriate program that is being offered to our patients. It makes a lot of sense to patients with no insurance coverage for IVF. Details of the program can be downloaded from our web-site www.inviafertility.com. Or, please call us at 847 884 8884 and make an appointment with one of our physicians.

Infertility IVF InVia Fertility Specialists Insurance

Victoria Mostov

Victoria Mostov

Victoria Mostov received her BA in Psychology from UCLA in 2002. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Victoria received her MBA from the prestigious Kellstadt School of Business at DePaul University. She has 14 years of experience working in health care management and has been with Invia Fertility

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