HSG Test

Stephie_Lynn

All of our preliminary fertility tests came back okay for the most part. DR has suggested husband take L-Carnitine to boost sperm mobility. Our next step would be the HSG test and we are wondering if we should try a couple times on just the L-Carnitine supplement before we do the HSG test. We heard the HSG test is rarely covered by insurance, but are confirming that this week.

 Any experience out there? 

BeeBee08

Almost everyone here has done the HSG, there's no point doing other treatments and spending money on anything else if your tubes are blocked.  If you're okay potentially wasting a couple more cycles, you could hold off, but if you want to start moving forward, you'll need to do it.  Most RE's want you to do the HSG before they start any treatments, are you seeing an RE?  Good Luck!

Stephie_Lynn

The L-Carnitine (over the counter) was just a recommendation. There were no 4+ swimmers present during any of the sperm analysis. But plenty of 3+ swimmers.

Other than that, no other treatments have been planned as everything else has checked out great. The HSG is the next step, but we didn't know if we should give it a go a few more times with just the sperm mobility booster. But it sounds like the test may be the way to go.

Ruthie04

I did the HSG very early in my testing, which I think is pretty standard. My insurance at the time had no IF benefits. We had absolutely no coverage for any medication or procedures. However, they did cover testing. So, my most of my HSG was covered (as long as we got a pre-auth). But, they did not cover the materials (i.e. the dye, the catheter...). I just got really specific with the insurance rep and finally got the information I needed. Good luck to you!

Stephie_Lynn

Thanks! We just got the analysis result on Friday, so didn't have time to call the insurance company yet. But plan on having an in-dept conversation tomorrow morning.

ChicNotGeek

Def talk to your insurance company.  Usually diagnostics will be covered, but IF treatments have a higher standard for coverage, if any at all. 

My insurance does cover IF, but everything has to be pre-auth.  Takes even more fun out of baby making, right?  Knowing that some faceless insurance company idiot knows where in your reproductive cycle you are.  Bah.

 

Stephie_Lynn

Hahaha! Fo sho

KDR1979

I thought the HSG was pretty easy. Mine was at 7am and I worked a normal day after the procedure. My husband has been on L-Carnitine and antioxidants for ~20 months now and has had zero improvement.

I have a crappy high deductible HSA that covers 0 infertility costs (IF doesn't even count toward deductible) and my HSG was covered b/c my ob-gyn used the diagnosis code "rule out tubal disease."

I would go ahead with the HSG!

 

Stephie_Lynn

Thanks for the advice!