Costco is introducing a new fertility care initiative aimed at helping members significantly reduce the cost of reproductive treatments and medications.
The warehouse retailer has partnered with Sesame and IVI RMA North America to tackle affordability and access challenges faced by the roughly one in six Americans dealing with infertility and seeking to start a family.
IVI RMA North America includes fertility providers such as Reproductive Medicine Associates, Boston IVF and TRIO Fertility in Toronto, and operates 25 IVF laboratories across the network.
The program aims to expand access to fertility care by offering coordinated treatment pathways, transparent pricing and connections to reproductive medicine specialists.
“Our partnership with Sesame and IVI RMA reflects our commitment to transparent and affordable solutions that reduce barriers, are more accessible, and more affordable for our members,” said Richard Stephens, senior VP of pharmacy at Costco.
“By combining transparent pricing with coordinated care, we’re removing the barriers that have historically kept quality fertility treatment out of reach for too many families.”
Under the program, Costco members who enroll in the monthly membership arrangement receive immediate access to fertility care coordination through Sesame.
The process begins with a comprehensive intake evaluation and diagnostic workup, followed by referrals to specialty fertility care with IVI RMA North America when clinically appropriate.
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By starting the process through Sesame, patients are intended to arrive at IVI RMA clinics with the necessary diagnostic information already completed, allowing them to move directly into fertility planning and treatment with specialists.
The program also offers substantial savings on medications. Fertility drugs will be dispensed through Costco pharmacies, with members eligible for discounts of up to 80% on medications such as Follistim through pharmacy pricing programs.
According to the companies, the reductions can save patients thousands of dollars per treatment cycle, addressing one of the largest out-of-pocket costs associated with fertility care.
If additional specialty treatment is recommended, Costco members are connected directly with IVI RMA clinics, where further discounted pricing has been negotiated for the program.
“Our partnership with Sesame and IVI RMA reflects our commitment to transparent and affordable solutions that reduce barriers, are more accessible, and more affordable for our members,” Stephens said.
“By combining transparent pricing with coordinated care, we’re removing the barriers that have historically kept quality fertility treatment out of reach for too many families.”
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