RFID tags?

trebeksucks

Does anyone else's RE charge for RFID tags on all their IUI's/IVF?  I went to a new RE this cycle and they charged $70 upfront for RFID tracking and then today they charged another $40 for RFID tagging again.  I asked and they told me every single time we have an IUI or do IVF, it will be an upfront $40 fee for the RFID tracking.  The other RE I went to never charged anything for RFID tagging.  So, for curiosity's sake I just looked up how much it costs to get RFID tags and you can buy 500 of them for $100.  Why am I paying $40 for ONE? 

Does anyone else's RE make them pay to make sure they are keeping the right sperm with the right partner?  This seems odd to me. 

monimu13

Sorry, I don't even know what a RFID tag is ( I can now gather from context).  It could be included in my total for each IUI, really not sure.

trebeksucks

Sorry about not explaining what an RFID tag is.  It's just a tag usually on products you buy at the store to keep track of them.  My RE is using this tagging system to make sure the right sperm goes to the right partner.  My old RE had a system too, but they never charged for it.  I'm not happy about having to pay $40 for something that I know is literally costing them $0.40 cents.  I wasn't sure if more RE's do this or if the new place I went to is just greedy.  I understand the $70 fee they hit me up for the other day (claiming it was a one time deal), I was surprised today when they hit me up for more money and claimed every time it will be another $40.  Not sure I want to keep going to them if they nickle and dime on something they should be doing anyhow. 

katib77

I've never ever hear of this.  That does sound like a load of BS.  A one time $70 fee is one thing but $40 a pop is ridiculous!  My OOP IUI cost is $212 for the procedure and sperm wash and does not show as including any 'tagging'.  ((This cost of course does not include the drugs, monitoring, bloodwork ect it's just the day of cost for IUI)).  

hootie123

I've been treated at three different RE offices - and none of them used RFID tags (or if they did they did not charge extra for them). And in my opinion if the office wants to use this system they should not charge patients for it. 

Makes me wonder this office had an issue with putting the wrong sample or embryo in the wrong patient.   

Aurora1181

That's kinda cool that they're using them! It would make me feel more secure about it all, and it shows that they're keeping tabs on upcoming technology. With all the money we are spending, 40 doesn't seem like a big deal for me an IUI cycle can be like 2000 anyway...

Peanutz21

i like the ID of the tags but agree that's a lot of $ per

the RE office i use "bundles" the cost so maybe it's included already in pricing already...not sure

Inkful

My RE uses RFID tags and they have similar fees to what you described. I don't have a problem with the fees for a few reasons. 1 Peace of mind, especially since my DH has a very common name. 2 I figure they are also charging for the extra labor however minimal, think about all people, touching tracking a sample or embryos, and their respective hourly wages. 3 Paying for the initial cost of the overall system is most likely factored into what they charge patients for RFID tags.

trebeksucks

Inkful:

My RE uses RFID tags and they have similar fees to what you described. I don't have a problem with the fees for a few reasons. 1 Peace of mind, especially since my DH has a very common name. 2 I figure they are also charging for the extra labor however minimal, think about all people, touching tracking a sample or embryos, and their respective hourly wages. 3 Paying for the initial cost of the overall system is most likely factored into what they charge patients for RFID tags.

 

Inkful, I see you are in the Seattle area too.  Are you going to Overlake Reproductive Health too?   I believe they are the only the RE in the area who is charging for this service right now, SRM does not.  I dunno... I'm thinking of going back to SRM now because I wasn't very happy with my Overlake IUI experience.  I don't think RE's should charge extra to keep the right sperm/embryo with the right partner, they should do it because it's their job and it's part of the service they are offering.  It's like if the hospital charged you an extra fee because they gave you the right blood type or if when women gave birth if they charged extra because they sent you home with the right newborn.  I don't know if I will continue with this RE now, and not just because of the RFID tags, there were a few parts of my IUI experience with them I was not happy about.  Thanks for the responses everyone! 

WAeagle

I think I know what you are talking about. I have heard that some clinics are some kind of RFID tracking system as part of an enhanced tracking system.  I think this practice is pretty common in England, although I don't think many clinics in the US have adopted it yet. As far as I know, it is designed to be an additional level of assurance for couples TTC to prevent any switch ups. 

Also, just because you can buy 500 tags for $100 does not mean you are comparing apples to apples, and it is pretty likely that the clinic is using more than one tag for your IUI's as well. Besides the tags are probable "medical grade," and your clinic is probably paying too much for them as well. I suppose if you were still curious you could always talk to your doctor about it.

 Best of luck in your cycles