Fertility patients who don't get pregnant on their first try at in vitro fertilization (IVF) will get a second chance for free at Pacific Reproductive Center (PRC), under a new program the fertility clinic announced today.
"Many patients have little or no insurance coverage for assisted reproductive technology and often perceive the highest quality fertility treatments to be beyond their reach," said Rifaat Salem M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director and Founder of PRC. "We want to help as many couples as we can get the treatment they need."
The intent of PRC's "IVF Second Chances" program is to improve the chances of having a baby while simultaneously lessening financial anxiety, Dr. Salem added.
He said PRC is willing to take a modest risk on behalf of patients because PRC's IVF success rates are so high (among the highest in the nation). "Our sensitivity to economic conditions and insurance challenges has lead us to develop a range of affordable solutions," he said.
For the first IVF treatment, physicians take the healthiest fresh embryos and transfer those into the women's uterus. Remaining embryos are frozen in the event the patient wants to use them in the future. If the patient does not become pregnant on the first fresh cycle, PRC will offer second fresh cycle.
Similar offers are available at other practices but for the second attempt they require use of the frozen, not fresh embryos. Clinics offer this option because it is less costly, even though statistically less effective in achieving pregnancy for the patients, said Dr. Salem. At PRC, the second cycle uses freshly harvested eggs to make fresh embryos, giving the patient greater chances for pregnancy.
For more information visit IVF Second Chances or call 866.4A.FAMILY (866.423.4625).
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