January 19, 2026
Richmond VA Couple Shares Why SGF’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program for IVF Makes Perfect Financial Sense
Dan and Carina Cottner from Richmond, VA, used Shady Grove Fertility’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program to afford multiple IVF cycles, ultimately welcoming twins Quinn and Oliver after eight failed attempts. The program offers a fixed cost for up to six fresh IVF or donor egg cycles with a full refund if no live birth occurs. Their story highlights the financial and emotional strain of infertility and the relief of guaranteed funding for repeated treatments.
Key Takeaways
IVF Financial Safety Net: How SGF’s Shared Risk Program Eliminates Financial Risk for Fertility Treatments
Shady Grove Fertility’s program guarantees a full refund if patients do not achieve a live birth after up to six IVF or donor egg cycles. This removes the financial pressure of paying for single-cycle attempts, allowing couples to pursue multiple treatments without depleting savings.
Maximizing Employer Benefits and 401K Loans to Fund IVF Treatments
The Cottners leveraged employer-sponsored insurance and a 401K loan to cover the Shared Risk Program cost. While insurance often limits IVF coverage, combining employer benefits with retirement savings can bridge the gap for high out-of-pocket expenses.
Understanding IVF Insurance Coverage Limits and the Need for Alternative Funding Options
Even with robust insurance, the Cottners exhausted their coverage after eight failed cycles. Patients should research policy specifics, as most plans cap IVF cycles, leaving couples to self-fund further attempts. Programs like SGF’s Shared Risk offer a solution for uncovered treatments.
SGF’s Shared Risk Program: Pay for Up to Six IVF Cycles with Full Refund if Unsuccessful
The program requires a refundable deposit for up to six fresh IVF cycles and subsequent frozen transfers. If no live birth occurs, the deposit is fully returned. This structure reduces the gamble of traditional IVF costs, where each cycle is paid separately.
Emotional and Financial Decision-Making in IVF: Choosing Shared Risk Over a Single Attempt
The Cottners prioritized multiple attempts over a single high-risk cycle due to Carina’s history of miscarriages. The program’s guarantee of six tries eliminated the anxiety of losing savings on one failed attempt, offering psychological relief during a stressful journey.
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