How do you afford an RE?

a2003tiger · August 2016

This is part rant and part legitimate question? We tried for8 months last year, then started Clomid through my OB. Got pregnant in February, lost the baby and had a d&c in April. I'm currently on my 4th Clomid cycle since, still through my OB. I've finally decided enough is enough and I scheduled to see an RE in two weeks. But my insurance covers nothing and I'm terrified of the costs! I keep seeing all these posts about multiple ultrasounds and blood work each cycle, plus the drugs, how do you afford it with no insurance?

We've been saving like crazy, but with a $5000 insurance deductible and 12 weeks unpaid maternity leave (I'm the higher salary in our family), we need every bit to make it through that. This reason alone is mostly why I've put off the RE for so long.

IowaLove89 · August 2016

Ulgh! That's so frustrating. Also, I'm very sorry for your loss. I make it work by seeing an OB that specializes in RE. She can do more than a regular OB, but not IVF. I just have to pay the regular OB copay to see her. I don't know if that's an option where you live, but it has definitely made treatments manageable for us.

AandDM2014 · August 2016

I'm sorry this process has been difficult for you. I personally would never recommend doing Clomid cycles with an OB if they don't monitor you. I don't know if your OB has told you this or not, but the general rule of thumb is to only do 6 cycles of taking Clomid for your entire life. It becomes dangerous and isn't effective after that.

We too were worried about the costs, but there may be loan programs out there for any costs you have to pay. I know for sure there is for IVF, but I'm sure whatever clinic the RE you're seeing belongs to will have a financial person who can help. I want to say that with each of my Clomid with IUI cycles we paid about $1500, maybe a bit less (sorry, I don't exactly remember as we stopped those almost a year ago). We are totally OOP for everything.

Seeing an RE is definitely costly if you don't have coverage, but if it gets you your baby(ies), will it be worth it?

chloe97 · August 2016

@a2003tiger I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm so glad you raised this issue, because I feel like we never talk about the financial realities of working with an RE. I know some people w/o IF coverage are lucky enough to get help from their parents, but usually you hear about that at the IVF level.

I don't really have anything to add personally since my insurance has covered all my diagnostic testing so far, but I just want to say that I think that it's ridiculous that at the very least this country doesn't require paid 12 weeks maternity leave. It's so unfair that after having to spend all you have to spend just to have a baby, and then live without your paycheck. We need to do so much more in this country to support women. It makes me furious.

BornReady · August 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. I am lucky enough to live in a state with mandatory infertility insurance coverage. My insurance covers everything with my RE, so finances haven't been a part of our journey. It makes me sick that people have to worry about how to go about paying to have children. Have you checked out the Resolve site? Here is the link: https://www.resolve.org/ They have information on financing, state laws etc. that might be helpful.

And don't get me started on the maternity leave issue, like @chloe97 mentioned. I read somewhere that nothing will change in this country regarding maternity/paternity leave until we stop working from the stand point that maternity leave is a "benefit" for women, when really it is for our children's healthy attachment and development.

a2003tiger · August 2016

@IowaLove89, I did see an OB who says he specializes in infertility (he's also VBAC friendly). When I initially started to worry that it was taking awhile, I went to see him with my temperature charts. He made light of it and said no doctor uses that method any more. Kind of made me feel stupid. Then referred me to a lady who teaches natural family planning for $500. And that was it.

IowaLove89 · August 2016

@a2003tiger Wow! Yeah, that is very different from my experience. Although my OB did tell me she doesn't encourage temping, she also explained that it's more confusing than helpful for many patients when they are already getting ultrasounds (based on what I've heard, she probably has had several patients freak out because they woke up to one spike or drop) My temps have definitely helped figure things out for us, though...

Also, my doc is pretty knowledgable and wanted to run all kinds of tests right away to be sure PCOS wasn't the only issue and monitors my letrozole cycles closely. She also does everything up to IVF, from what I understand, since she is the only "infertility specialist" in the second largest city in Iowa.

I'm sorry your experience wasn't as positive. I guess it just goes to show just how different doctors can be...

yolandamunoz · August 2016

Oh @a2003tiger I feel your pain!!!

So far I just get 1/4 of my RE's fees back from my insurance. And he has asked for some special tests linked to infertility that are -OF COURSE- not covered by any insurance in this country.

i have to repeat one of those tests next week and then go back to see him and pay some more... I am hoping this doesn't escalate in price though...

About maternity leave... I just don't understand what is the matter in the US. You need to do something to change this! It's so unfair!!!

we do get 6 months of paid leave in Chile, if you have a work contract. Me as independent only get 3 months of leave.
Thankful anyway.

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