A provider's guide to helping patients afford Novarel (hCG). Learn about manufacturer programs, discount cards, generic options, and cost conversations.
When a patient needs Novarel (Chorionic Gonadotropin for injection) but can't afford it, the treatment plan falls apart. In fertility medicine, where timing is everything, a patient who delays filling their hCG prescription because of cost may miss their treatment window entirely — wasting weeks of preparation and thousands of dollars in other cycle medications.
Novarel's cash price ranges from $150 to $500+ per vial, and for patients without fertility coverage (which is the majority in many states), that cost comes entirely out of pocket — on top of monitoring, office visits, and other medications that can push a single IVF cycle past $15,000.
As a provider, you're in a unique position to help patients navigate cost barriers before they derail treatment. This guide covers the savings programs, alternatives, and workflow strategies that can make a real difference.
Let's ground this in real numbers:
Insurance coverage is inconsistent. Only a subset of states mandate fertility treatment coverage, and even when plans cover fertility medications, prior authorization requirements can delay access. For non-fertility indications (hypogonadism, cryptorchidism), coverage under medical benefits may be available but still requires PA.
Many patients don't raise cost concerns proactively. They nod, leave the office, and then struggle silently to fill the prescription — or simply don't fill it.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Novarel, offers two programs worth knowing about:
This program provides discounted pricing on select Ferring fertility products for eligible cash-paying patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for planned oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing). If your patient is freezing eggs and paying cash, this program may reduce their Novarel cost.
Designed for patients using multiple Ferring fertility products (such as Menopur plus Novarel), the OneHeart program offers bundled savings. This is particularly relevant for IVF patients whose stimulation protocol includes both Menopur and Novarel.
Details on both programs are available at ferringusa.com or through your Ferring sales representative. Enrollment typically requires a prescription from a participating provider.
For patients with demonstrated financial hardship, additional assistance may be available through:
These programs are typically for uninsured or underinsured patients and require income documentation.
For patients paying out of pocket (or whose insurance copay is high), prescription discount cards can meaningfully reduce the cost of generic hCG:
Important caveats for your workflow:
One of the most impactful cost-saving strategies is considering the full range of hCG products:
Generic urinary-derived hCG is available from manufacturers like Fresenius Kabi. It contains the same active ingredient as Novarel and can be substituted at the pharmacy level in most states. Generic pricing ($150-$300 per 10,000 IU vial) is generally lower than brand-name Novarel.
Manufactured by Organon, Pregnyl is another brand of urinary-derived hCG. It's therapeutically equivalent to Novarel. If one brand is unavailable or more expensive, the other may be a straightforward switch.
Ovidrel is a recombinant hCG administered subcutaneously via pre-filled syringe. It's more convenient for patients (no reconstitution required, subcutaneous vs. intramuscular) but typically costs more. For patients struggling with IM injection technique or who value convenience, the added cost may be worthwhile.
When stock is an issue — and with hCG, it often is — having flexibility across these products helps prevent treatment delays. Write prescriptions that allow generic substitution when appropriate, and consider specifying multiple acceptable alternatives on the prescription.
The most effective cost intervention is the one that happens before the patient leaves your office. Here are practical strategies:
During the treatment planning conversation, proactively address medication costs: "The medications for this cycle will include several injectables. Do you have fertility coverage, and have you budgeted for medication costs?"
Many patients are embarrassed to raise cost concerns. Opening the door makes it easier.
If your practice volume supports it, designate a medication coordinator or financial counselor who can:
Specialty pharmacies that focus on fertility (Freedom Fertility, Encompass, MDR Pharmacy) often have:
Establishing a preferred pharmacy relationship benefits both your patients and your workflow.
When Novarel is out of stock at your patients' usual pharmacy, direct them to Medfinder to check real-time availability. This is especially valuable during shortage periods when patients may need to check multiple pharmacies quickly.
Note cost discussions and the chosen savings strategy in the patient's chart. If a cycle is delayed due to medication access, document it. This information is valuable for prior authorization appeals and for identifying patterns that might prompt protocol adjustments.
Cost shouldn't determine whether a patient can complete their treatment cycle. By proactively discussing costs, leveraging manufacturer programs and discount cards, maintaining flexibility across hCG products, and partnering with specialty pharmacies, you can help patients access Novarel (or an equivalent) without unnecessary financial stress.
For more on managing Novarel supply challenges in your practice, see our provider guides on helping patients find Novarel in stock and what prescribers need to know about the shortage.
Register your practice on Medfinder for Providers to help your patients locate hard-to-find medications faster.
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