WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) today announced a new initiative that provides access to quality fertility treatment programs at substantial discounts to its affiliated health plan members who do not have insurance coverage for infertility services. This voluntary program makes both medical and drug treatments for infertility more affordable and now is in effect for all of WellPoint’s nearly 36 million affiliated health plan members via our SpecialOffers program suite.
“In the U.S., more than seven million people are affected by infertility, but high costs and discretionary coverage can make access to effective treatments seem out of reach,” said Gail Croall, M.D., senior vice president of care management with WellPoint. “This exciting program can potentially help people overcome certain obstacles they face when trying to start or build a family by enabling them to receive treatment by top-rated specialists along with medication therapies in a more affordable, discounted bundle.”
Unlike any other solution in the market today, WINFertility’s management program simplifies, streamlines, and discounts access to fertility treatments for WellPoint affiliated health plan members seeking to have a baby. Savings per In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment cycle typically range from 10-40 percent or more, depending on specific treatments and medication doses required.
WellPoint’s program by WINFertility includes:
- State-of-the-art, evidence-based treatment programs;
- Infertility medications are included in the single, discounted, bundled price;
- Access to WINFertility’s FertilityCoachSM Nurses, who provide an initial consultation to help members decide whether to proceed and, for members who join the program, ongoing 24/7 access for education and care coordination;
- Medical Advisory Board that includes industry-leading Reproductive Endocrinologists;
- Financing programs at preferred rates; and
- Pre-natal Multi-vitamins with Folic Acid are mailed at no additional cost.
Participation Requirements:
- No age or medical criteria required to enroll in the program;
- If a participating physician recommends treatment, and the patient has no infertility insurance coverage or has exhausted her benefit, she can enroll in the WINFertility program.
“WINFertility has been helping thousands of families experience the joy and fulfillment of having children for nearly 15 years,” said Roger S. Shedlin, M.D., President and CEO of WINFertility. “Today marks a major milestone in our mission to increase accessibility to effective and affordable fertility treatments by supporting WellPoint in its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of its health plan members.”
WellPoint’s affiliated health plan members can learn more about WINFertility and this program via the “SpecialOffers” tab identified on each of its state health plan sites by clicking on the link provided.
About WellPoint
At WellPoint, we believe there is an important connection between our members’ health and well-being—and the value we bring our customers and shareholders. So each day we work to improve the health of our members and their communities. And, we can make a real difference since we have nearly 36 million people in our affiliated health plans, and nearly 68 million people served through our subsidiaries. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint serves members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; and as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), and Wisconsin. In a majority of these service areas, WellPoint’s plans do business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Empire Blue Cross (in the New York service areas). We also serve customers in several additional states through our Amerigroup subsidiary and in certain markets through our CareMore subsidiary. Our 1-800 CONTACTS, Inc. subsidiary offers customers online sales of contact lenses, eyeglasses and other ocular products. Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.
About WINFertility, Inc.
Founded in 2000, WINFertility is the national leader in Infertility Management Programs, annually managing treatments for many thousands of infertility patients for major insurers, employers and individuals. The WINFertility Consumer Program is expanding rapidly and is currently available to serve patients in twenty-seven states, where a growing number of patients can take advantage of WINFertility’s integrated platform to access evidence-based protocols, high-quality independent providers and discounts enjoyed only by the largest healthcare purchasers. For more information, visit us at www.winfertility.com.