HSG Test Questions

t2mofok · September 2013

Hi ladies,

If you have had the test would you recommend it? What can you tell me about it? Painful? I keep googling and I'm talking myself out of it.

My insurance doesn't cover infertility so I was trying to get an approximate cost before scheduling it so I wasn't shocked. The billing dept tells me around $500 but my insurance company tells me around $1200. Are either of these numbers close to correct?

Lastly, when you get the procedure done do you get the results right away or do you have to schedule an appointment with your doctor?

Thanks for your help and sorry if these are dumb questions.

lebradford · September 2013

t2mofok said:
Hi ladies,
If you have had the test would you recommend it? What can you tell me about it? Painful? I keep googling and I'm talking myself out of it.

My insurance doesn't cover infertility so I was trying to get an approximate cost before scheduling it so I wasn't shocked. The billing dept tells me around $500 but my insurance company tells me around $1200. Are either of these numbers close to correct?
Lastly, when you get the procedure done do you get the results right away or do you have to schedule an appointment with your doctor?

Thanks for your help and sorry if these are dumb questions.

What test??

lebradford · September 2013

Oh, duh. You named it in the subject, just not the body of your question. Sorry.

tippytoes06 · September 2013

You should definitely get an HSG done prior to having any infertility treatment. There is no point in taking medication, etc if your tubes are blocked.

I can't help with the cost, as my insurance covers diagnostics relating to infertility, just not treatments.

You should get the results as they are doing the procedure. I did at least.

There is a post a ways down about what the HSG is exactly - I highly recommend going and reading it. There is a lot of useful information there.

frenchy816 · October 2013

My HSG wasn't too bad. I had some cramping which wasn't fun, but all in all it was ok. I was more worried they were going to find something.

As for insurance, everyone's is different. I haven't received my bill, but from the explanation of benefits that came the other day it looked like most of it was covered, but we'll still have to pay.

You do get the results right away (or should). The HSG should also be the first thing they do to you before going any further with infertility or a RE. I can tell you that our concern was my DH when we went and they still did a work-up on me.

KatieN123 · October 2013

These are not dumb questions. I had my test done last week. It reminded me of a pap smear. There was some cramping and discomfort, but it wasn't a big deal for me. Everyone has different reactions to the test. I took two Tylenol's an hour before. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. You should be able to get the results if you ask, but your doctor will confirm it. Its pretty cool that you can see if your tubes are open with the monitor that is next to you when the dye is injected. The tech talked me through the whole procedure before and during the test. For me, it was suppose to cost $500 without insurance. However, I was surprised when they said they would give it to me as the same price as the insurance coverage which was $260. I didn't ask why. I am glad I did it because I know that I do not have any problems with my tubes which I am grateful for. You should have a HSG and a SA done if you are thinking about taking treatments. Also, I would search for other HSG threads for more info. I hope this helps.

Twinkie0612 · October 2013

Getting an HSG is necessary if you are planning on doing any IF treatements. You need to know if your tubes are open, otherwise you might be wasting your time.

The cost of the procedure varies by where you live, but mine was around $1100 OOP by the time I paid the doctor, radiologist, and imaging center. I did mine with my OB/GYN, but I wish I would have done it with my RE. My OB/GYN refused to code the test as anything other than IF, so it was denied by insurance. My RE will code many tests/procedures as diagnostic and my insurance has covered many of them (including my hysterscopy).

Experiences vary for this procedure. Some women don't have much pain at all while others find it very painful. The good news is that it is a very quick test, so even if it is painful it only lasts minutes.

Again this test should not be optional and I would not trust any doctor that does not require this test before starting any treatments.

megemoney · October 2013

If you plan to have any kind of IF Tx, like ovulation inducing meds, then you absolutely need to have an HSG. It would be really foolish of a doctor to prescribe ovulation inducing meds without knowing for sure if your tubes are blocked. Kind of pointless to force ovulation if the egg cannot even make it through the tube and sperm and egg cannot meet...

As for the pain factor - I seem to have a pretty sensitive cervix. I usually always get a vasovagal response when my cervix is involved in any procedure. I thought it was uncomfortable while the catheter was in, but the dye moving though was not. And for the results, I am sure your doctor will want to go over them with you in a consultation, but you can see the dye moving, or not moving, through during the procedure.

It's been about a year and a half since I had mine, but I want to say it was only about $250.. and I was all OOP. It might have been closer to $500, but I know it was not in the $1000 range. Talk to the billing department of your doctor's office. I am sure they will work something out with you. (I used a FLEX spending account for all of my IF Tx)

HSG Test Questions

Re: HSG Test Questions

BFP on 11/23/13!! Due date is July 20, 2014!

Yeah! DH and I did it on our own without any treatments or procedures. We are excited about our miracle baby.

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