only allowed ONE ultrasound?

RhodyMomToBe · October 2011

I called my HI company to see whether or not the NT scan is covered. She told me they typically only cover 1 ultrasound per pregnancy unless medically necessary (finding out if anything is "wrong" with your baby seems to qualify as medically necesarry to me!). Is this typical practice?

rachelbradley44@hotmail.com · October 2011

Yes, this is pretty typical. I have BlueCross BlueShield, and that's their policy as well (at least for my state). Just tell your doctor. They will probably find that it's "medically necessary" a few more times during your pregnancy.

RhodyMomToBe · October 2011

Yeah, I go back next week for my physical so I will let her know. I knew there was a chance that the NT wouldn't be covered but I figured the anatomy scan would be since they check baby out head to toe to make sure everything looks good.

shesween · October 2011

Guess United Healthcare is more generous. Any and all ultrasounds are covered as long as it's through network approved facility or doctor. Of course I pay up the wazoo for my premiums!

rachelbradley44@hotmail.com · October 2011

I know. It would make sense that it would be, but apparently insurance companies need to pinch every penny. Smile Hope you and I get at least a few more chances to see our babies!

RhodyMomToBe · October 2011

shesween:
Guess United Healthcare is more generous. Any and all ultrasounds are covered as long as it's through network approved facility or doctor. Of course I pay up the wazoo for my premiums!

This is the health insurance I have! Maybe your policy is better than mine. Lucky you!!!

T&BMay142005 · October 2011

rachelbradley44@hotmail.com:
Yes, this is pretty typical. I have BlueCross BlueShield, and that's their policy as well (at least for my state). Just tell your doctor. They will probably find that it's "medically necessary" a few more times during your pregnancy.

I have BlueCross BlueShield of MN and they cover 3 ultrasounds. I agree if you talk to your doctor I bet you could get an extra U/S.

jp0129 · October 2011

I have them too. I just pay my office visit and I can whatever tests and u/s my dr gives me. I don't pay alot for my premium though and I have a super low deduct.

Katelobster · October 2011

If you're really interested in getting additional ultrasounds, I looked into those boutique ultrasound clinics and found that you can get a standard 2-D belly ultrasound with a printed picture for as little as $50. They also have 3-D ultrasounds and video ultrasounds for more money.

Regarding your original question - I think it partially depends on whether your doctor does the ultrasound in the office or if they send you to a hospital to have it done by an ultrasound technician. I have crappy health coverage but my doctor does all her own ultrasounds during office visits, so they aren't billed separately from the office visit. I doubt my insurance even knows I'm getting them because of that.

Pdxmom73 · October 2011

I have a 16 yo and an 8 yo and had BCBS for both of them and got 1 u/s. this time I am a Kaiser member and there is no limit. I work for them. So my benefits are really good, I have no out of pocket cost for labs and test such as an u/s.

stemms8810 · October 2011

I think usually a doctor will typically say an ultrasound is "medically necessary" if they offer it. If you just out of blue said give me an ultrasound just because I want one, then maybe not.

mrs+harlow · October 2011

The NT scan isn't a routine general ultrasound. Mine was done in the Antepartum testing unit of my hospital. The NT scan also includes bloodwork that goes along with the NT measurement that a radiologist specializing in fetal radiology calculates and looks at everything from your ovaries to uterine tissue.

LadyTyler · October 2011

I have none covered unless medically necessary

RhodyMomToBe · October 2011

Thanks for all of the responses! I am going to talk to her next week and see whether or not they deem at least the anatomy u/s as medically necessary. I'm not trying to get additional scans,and I knew there was a chance the NT would not be covered, I just assumed I would be covered for A/S, you know? My office does all of the u/s in their office, so maybe that's where the confusion lies with the woman I spoke to? Who knows, lol.

Thanks again, ladies! Big Smile

jennyann28 · October 2011

stemms8810:
I think usually a doctor will typically say an ultrasound is "medically necessary" if they offer it. If you just out of blue said give me an ultrasound just because I want one, then maybe not.

This is not necessarily true. Every single patient is offered the NT scan at my practice, it is an offer. You can choose to accept or decline, and not everyone's insurance covers it.

Plus, like on PP said, we have to go to a separate place to do it (Maternal Fetal Medicine) with a highly specialized radiology tech whose specific job is NT scans.

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only allowed ONE ultrasound?

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