OOP vent

tst1998

DH and I are on separate insurance policies because it is cheaper for us each to go through our own job. We've been paying for all our testing OOP, since I have no IF coverage. He has some coverage (although we can't get a straight answer as to what exactly they will cover). I have paid close to $300 for lab work. He got his SA, which was billed at $120, but the insurance company negotiated a rate of $18. Yes, a $100 discount for the insurance company. I have to pay $15 for a blood draw, but if my insurace covers it, they only have to pay $3. I don't even want to know what kind of a discount they get for the pricier stuff.

So not only do I have to pay OOP for anything IF related, I have to pay MORE than those people who have IF coverage. Somehow this seems completely backwards...  

jiffy-pop

I'm sorry! That sucks!

mdluv21

Yes it is frustrating because we OOP def. pay more than what insurance companies have to pay for the same procedures.

The insurance companies are the big "customers" and individuals are not so unfortunately we get doubly screwed.

Kathy4678

We are 100% OOP as well and my RE's office does offer a discount on *some* of the testing, but in the long run- it's so minimal that it almost doesn't matter. I agree- it's very frustrating!

ClarissaBuen18

mdluv21:

Yes it is frustrating because we OOP def. pay more than what insurance companies have to pay for the same procedures.

The insurance companies are the big "customers" and individuals are not so unfortunately we get doubly screwed.

Really aaawww that sucks...I never looked at it this way.

caschaeffer

Apparently it doesn't get any easier once you do conceive.  When my sister got prego & went for her first appointment, she got put on a payment plan for her delivery that has to be paid in full by her 7th month.  The only good thing about it is she'll have it paid before the baby comes instead of going home w/ the new bundle of joy & getting a huge bill in the mail

tst1998

caschaeffer:

Apparently it doesn't get any easier once you do conceive.  When my sister got prego & went for her first appointment, she got put on a payment plan for her delivery that has to be paid in full by her 7th month.  The only good thing about it is she'll have it paid before the baby comes instead of going home w/ the new bundle of joy & getting a huge bill in the mail

At least I have coverage for everything else (including acupuncture, go figure). I can't imagine how hard things are for people who don't have *any* insurance. I will stay off my soap box about the US health care system.