Many patients that walk through our doors have a plethora of questions surrounding the idea of funding fertility. The limitations on insurance coverage force many to search for alternative fertility funding sources. Even though some states require insurance companies to provide infertility diagnosis and treatment coverage, a majority of fertility patients do not receive coverage.

Here are the five most common tips shared by Laurel Fertility Care patients:

1. Ask family and friends. Patients often rely on trusted family and friends for support, including financial support. For some, this situation can be sticky. Rule of thumb: (As simple as this may sound) only ask friends or family for money who can afford to lend. It will save relationships and financial hardships for both.

2. Seek employers who offer coverage. In states like California, laws require insurance companies to provide fertility coverage to employers. Thus it is employers who make the call about whether or not to provide fertility coverage. Corporations like Google and Genetech provide fertility coverage, but many companies don’t. Rule of thumb: Check with your employer and insurance company to fully understand your fertility coverage.

3. Use home equity. Many patients have used their home equity to fund fertility treatments. Keep in mind both home equity loans and a home equity line of credit. Depending on your treatment plan, one type of home equity use might be better than another. Rule of thumb: plan your fertility treatment options and think through which route use of home equity works better for each.

4. Change your retirement fund into a fertility fund. Depending on your fertility and retirement goals, several fertility patients have used their retirement funds to start fertility treatments. Rule of thumb: Requesting money from your retirement fund can take months or weeks to access. If you have this kind of time, use the delay to think through the total cost of fertility and what financial means you are willing to pursue to start a family.

5. Use commercial lending companies. Companies like MyMedicalLoan.com and Surgeryloans.com provide parents-to-be with flexible and affordable financing options. Both lending companies are easy to use and can be accessed from the comfort of your home. Rule of thumb: Weigh your financial alternatives before using a lending company. Interest rates may be a turnoff but can be worth the ease and convenience of getting a flexible credit extension.