Financing Treatment

a blog by David Kreiner, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., March 23, 2010

I was recently shocked by a complaint from another physician. Apparently, this doctor's patient was offended that I discussed the finances involved with her treatment with her. Her doctor, an Ob/Gyn, agreed with her that it was inappropriate for me to discuss the cost of her options. He told me, “I like you and think East Coast Fertility is an excellent program but I never talk about money directly to patients! It’s not, I don’t know, seemly!” He continued, “Money issues are discussed with the business office, the doctor only discusses the medicine.”

Perhaps it’s unfortunate that fertility doctors have to be so concerned about their patients’ pocket books. But in the case of infertility, only a handful of states having some kind of mandated insurance coverage and, mandates aside, not everybody in the United States even has health insurance! Many fertility patients are in some form or another “cash pay” patients. Most are concerned about financing their treatment. In fact, one of the most popular places patients visit when they go to any fertility clinic’s website is its “finance” page.