Pre-pregnancy diabetic... Copays are getting out of hand (Rant)

middleschoolmommy

I am a pre-pregnancy diabetic. I started seeing an endocrinologist at 10wks. She wants to see me every single week. The first time I went in my copay was $100. I was told that I would only have to pay the copay once a month. At 11wks I had to pay again because this time "I saw the dietitian, not the dr". Well I went again today and had to pay the copay, again, since it was a new month. At the end of the appointment, I was told that due to my specific insurance plan I would have to pay the copay every single time. I want to do everything I can to make sure my baby is healthy, but I just can't afford these copays! I'm not sure what to do. I guess I just needed to rant!

SLGILL1978

Are you married? Could your husband maybe add you on to his insurance as well then you have a primary and secondary?

Depending on your income maybe you could apply for medical insurance through your state? In my state they do separate approvals for pregnant women. Meaning you're only covered while you're pregnant and up to 2-4 months post postpartum.

I was also a pre pregnancy diabetic but I never had to see an Endo or a specialist. I saw my OB once a month until 34 weeks, then I saw him once a week (only a couple weeks earlier than a normal pregnancy). I also saw a diabetic educator who was a actually a nurse. I would send her my weekly sugars and from there she was the person who normally increased my insulin amounts. I saw her once a month as well. Basically I would see her first then two weeks later I would see my OB.

Sorry Mama! Hope it works out for you! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy as well!

Leigh313

Could you just call in your sugars once a week? I only saw my endo 4 or so times during my whole pregnancy but I kept in touch & called in my sugars every Monday. As long as I was feeling ok, she didn't feel the need for me to come into the office. I think I had my a1c checked twice & I'm getting it done again about 8 weeks PP.

kks4471

I'm T1 diabetic, and only see my endo every 4 weeks.  I fax my glucose numbers every monday, and talk on the phone with her as needed.  Every week just sounds a little excessive, but I'm not a doctor.  I'd ask your office if phone calls would be enough, considering how much you have to pay.

middleschoolmommy

Thanks for the input. My last a1c was 6.1 and my numbers have been high "for being pregnant". My OB said my numbers were excellent, but this endo wants them even lower. I will definitely be asking if I can just email or call weekly and come in once a month.

ziggy903

Is there a possibility that the endo you're seeing is "out of network" and the cost may be less with an in-network one?
I don't know 100% how insurance works, so I could be totally wrong!