Massachusetts is one of thirteen states with insurance coverage for fertility treatments. With infertility increasingly prevalent as couples delay the beginning of their journey into parenthood, this is wonderful news to many families. At an average of twenty five thousand dollars for one round of in vitro fertilization, the benefit is very meaningful.

I will forever be thankful to the amazing team of doctors and nurses who orchestrated our IVF treatment. We were newly married, thirty-two years old, and eager to begin our journey into parenthood. Neither of us expected the basic processes of Mother Nature to fail. After close to a year of trying the natural way, we entered the world of infertility centers. It took months to get an appointment, but once in the system, we were eagerly accepted. Our team of doctors was determined to find a solution. We were considered a high odds case relatively young, with quick responses to medication. After two attempts, I successfully became pregnant with twins.

Many couples are marrying later and trying to have children later. I've confidently said to friends, "Don't worry, it's not a question of if, it's a question of when you will be able to have children." My experience with infertility treatment had been a positive one, and I was convinced medicine could solve anything.

Fertility centers are businesses, making money off of what they do. As businesses, they give careful attention to attracting new customers. When it comes to becoming pregnant, every woman has the same question, "What are the odds?" The answer often received is, "On average, the odds are x, but at our center, the odds are y." The more y is higher than x, the more patients a center will attract.

In their quest to have higher odds, fertility centers are often turning away those most in need. Those most in need are often older, with unexplained (other than age) reasons for their infertility. I was surprised when a friend I referred to my fertility doctor was turned down. She was simply told, "We can't help you." She had already endured numerous failed IVF attempts at other centers, was near forty years old, and rather than take her case on as a challenge, the center turned her away. Were they fearful she would negatively impact their odds?

Fertility treatment is a big business in Massachusetts. With insurance coverage, and older than average newlyweds, there's been exponential growth in couples seeking treatment. Responding to the demand, the number of clinics and treatment centers has grown rapidly. Centers are competing more fiercely than ever for patients. As this competition has grown, it has become that much more important to be able to advertise high odds of success. But in their quest to raise the success rate, much of the benefit of insurance coverage for fertility treatment is being eliminated. It's no longer a question of when for couples with low odds; it's a question of even getting an appointment with a fertility center.

Learn more about this author, Yolanda Taylor.
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