IF Insurance

I know I've posted so many questions....... But, I think I was in denial about coming onto to this board.

Do any of you NOT have IF insurance? My DH and I don't have it. And I am so discouraged right now. I don't even know if we could afford it! Dh is the only one working and it is a new job and his salary s*u*c*k*s for the first few years!!!! It is bad timing for me. My old job covered infertility!!!! And I am not getting any younger!!!

The only nice thing I have going for me is that I have paid off all of our credit debt. All we have is my student loan and one credit card.

How do you deal with the financial burden of IF? Are there any grants out there? Did you get a low percentage credit card? So Sad!!

Re: IF Insurance

What type of insurance do you have? Are you sure they dont cover at least testing, and IUI's? The NYS Mandate covers all of that, but it excludes catholic groups or Unions, most other companies have to offer it??

As far as after that, well its kinda why Im on my 10th IUI cycle. We have no further IVF coverage at all, and we cannot afford to self pay.

And even with the coverage, we have hit and gone over the $1000 mark all ready this year in co pays and other expenses insurance doesnt cover and we had a 10 week "break" ...so it does add up.

Also, keep in mind ( I work in insurance, so kinda know how they do it) the RE's will bill your insurance in very vague terms to try and get as much covered as possible and they will succeed on some things. Your Office visits SHOULD be covered without a problem.

Re: IF Insurance

http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infertility101&id=22

This is a link to www.inciid.org's scholarship program. They have helped couples pay for IVF, but it's a lot of paperwork and it takes awhile to have it processed.

Sometimes studies are done, and if you fall into the category they are looking for they will cover all expenses. I know that SIRM in St. Louis and SIRM in NYC are doing a study. However, I know those cities are not convenient for you. They do cover traveling expenses, I believe.

Here is the link to the studies.http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search;jsessionid=E55EBF3C3AACEA60409D8D58F01BFB6B?term=infertility

Many clinics off shared risk programs if you are self pay.

I will also post the list of companies that provide infertility insurance.

http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=insurance101&id=243

Here is a list of states and their mandates.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/rpt/2005-R-0236.htm

I was able to give a former coworker paperwork on a grant but it was for NYS, and she had her IVF covered. There may be something similiar where you live.

Re: IF Insurance

DM24Angel,
Oh that is great to hear!! I have always wondered about the coding and office visits.

Well, this is the situation. We live in Texas but my DH's company and benefits come from Virginia. We have Anthem BCBS. Too bad VA is not a mandated state for IF.

My HSG wasn't covered until I met my the remaining balance of my deductable.

Message edited 4/14/2006 11:31:11 AM.

Re: IF Insurance

Redstar, You are a wealth of Information!!!! Thanks! I have a lot of studying to do!

Re: IF Insurance

oh no...your right about Virginia. It stinks that all the states cant be on the same page. NJ is a fully covered ( IVF manadated state) and Im close to moving there and getting a job with benefits there

BUT anthem is a good company and I will try to find out when I go back to work more info on them and their mandates. They do have some mandates but Im not 100% clear on them.

Hang in there

Re: IF Insurance

Re: IF Insurance

juju, my first RE told me I had no coverage and pay up $13K on my second visit -- and we did!! Well it turns out, that YES I have coverage on all the tests and "pre" stuff, and they cover up to $3K on the actual IVF procedure. So although I am sure you have looked into it, don't always belive a "no". I would insist that your RE keep trying with your insurance, and be sure you call them yourself.....Your insurance may cover at least some of the visits and tests, try it. I hope it all turns out better at least! And if you can as Redstar suggested, there are clinical studies going on out there -- mostly for women under 35 which isn't my case but may be yours.