Introduction

Jessi0113 · May 2014

Hi everyone! I've been "lurking" (sounds so creepy lol) for the past couple of months now, and I have found that you ladies are really helpful and supportive, and that is exactly what I've been looking for. I have been to other websites but have not found the level of support to be quite the same elsewhere. I'm hoping I'm at the right board, if not, any suggestions for other places would be much appreciated. So here's a little about me:

Me (27) DH (28). We did the NTNP thing for a few years, 2008-2011 (info should be in siggy, but I'm a total newb so please bear with me if it didn't show up yet). We decided to start working towards "trying" in 2011. Nothing, zip, nada. All those years and not one BFP. I decided it was time to seek out a specialist, but with my insurance and financial situation, the best I could do was an OB/GYN that specializes in fertility. I started clomid in Feb. of this year, and have taken it through this month, but after reading about how not doing monitoring while on Clomid is VERY dangerous, I've decided to stop for the time being. So, that's where I'm at now. I do have a lot of questions about RE's because that is the route I'd like to take next. Since it will be all OOP for me most of my questions as of now are about cost. I don't know if it's appropriate to ask financial questions right off the bat, and if not I'm very sorry, but if anyone has any info they can, or would like to, share regarding RE's I would be extremely grateful. Sorry it's such a long post and thank you for taking the time to read.

Jessi0113 · May 2014

No, unfortunately nothing at all, not even diagnostics

I don't know if it's possible for some of my testing to be coded differently though, that's definitely something I will have to look into. I am very much a step-by-step kind of person so just having an idea of initial visit cost is a great help. Thank you

lebradford · May 2014

Welcome.

Seeing a RE is definitely still worth it. A lot of us are OOP and still go to a RE. Do you have specific questions on costs? I don't know much about the costs of testing, because my insurance covered that. Many RE offices are able to get a lot of that billed as diagnostics instead of infertility. Clomid is usually the first step. Like @packerfan4life said, the drug is very cheap. It's the monitoring (very important) that is expensive. Mine is $1,500/cycle, which includes all of the bloodwork and ultrasounds. An IUI is an add $350, but depending on your diagnosis you could potentially do timed intercourse instead.

Good luck with everything. I hope you can get to a RE soon. They usually have financial counselors that will walk you through all of the OOP costs and possible financing options (though you might be better off financing on your own, if needed).

nswain85 · May 2014

Welcome

sorry that you have found yourself here but I think you will be really happy with the support and information you get here. I absolutely have and it's become so important for me! As for costing for the RE it really depends on insurance coverage and what you're having done. You mentioned no coverage but you may want to double check because I was told I have no coverage but turns out I have some testing other things covered, just no treatment. My RE's office has an AMAZING insurance/payment coordinator who did a lot of research for us at our consultation and got more information in 5 minutes than I did in 6 months. That assistance alone was almost as valuable as talking to the doctor for me, lol! My consult was $150 and that went towards treatment, etc. and that pricing is also what I found at the other local clinic. You can ask when you call about an appointment if you want and they can explain their policies. We are just getting going on our stuff but so far they have gotten all my blood work covered by insurance and are very helpful getting whatever they can covered so my OOP costs are as low as possible. Best of luck!!

jencity9 · May 2014

I wonder if your RE's office can at least give you the negotiated rate that your insurance company had with them? I don't know if that has to do with coverage or not. Even though we have insurance, we have a high deductible so we've been OOP with treatments this year so far but do get that discount. So for instance an u/s is maybe $400 each by itself but my negotiated rate with my insurance, even though insurance isn't covering it, is $150. I just did an HSG the other day and it was $288. Other than that my IUI cycles including meds, ultrasounds, and IUI were about $600-$700 a month. I also took progesterone afterward during the 2ww.

Jessi0113 · May 2014

I am definitely going to see about diagnostics being covered if it's not coded as fertility. I haven't done too much research into my coverage, but I know that it says specifically - no coverage for fertility testing or treatments. I had day 21 blood work that was accidentally billed through my insurance and they didn't cover that. That was $140 vs. $48 cash payment at the office. @jencity9 that's amazing that they give you the discounted rates, FX that the RE I go to will at least do something like that for us to soften the blow lol. I think y'all have given me a good idea of the range of costs which is excellent and exactly what I needed to know. Thank you guys so much!

BunnyBerry · May 2014

Welcome, though sorry you find yourself here.

Honestly, I have been really shocked about the costs of things at the RE vs. other doctors, but for the things that my insurance doesn't cover and before my deductible is paid, they have a discounted rate that is about 10-15% lower. You might find that a lot of meds are covered in your drug plan because they are used for non-IF reasons too, and bloodwork might be covered for the same reason.

Good luck! It's tough planning the finances because we don't know what our bodies will need in terms of monitoring and meds until we're in the cycle, and of course who of us can predict how many and what kinds of treatments it will take?? I don't think there's anything else in financial life quite like this. Sometimes I think it feels like starting your own business without a business plan. Sorry to be negative, oh dear!! That's my my hopeless 2WW talking, lol.

Jessi0113 · May 2014

Lol @BunnyBerry, my thoughts exactly. I knew all this IF stuff was going to be expensive but there is no way to know exactly how much so until you are right in the middle of it. I just have to grit my teeth and bear it I suppose. After all, the outcome I'm hoping for, that we all hope for, will be totally worth it in the end.

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