Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

Ok, so I'm gonna look crazy(ier) here but my 1st question is does anyone have embryos stored there and if so, do you receive a yearly bill at a certain time etc?

My story is that I did IVF there in 2008, I got PG on 1st try , I had 3 embryos left to freeze. I filled out all the paperwork etc.

I did this IVF under the NYS infetility Grant. ( they paid like 55% or something). I do nto remember if we paid for the storage or the grant did ( I am like 90% sure the grant did and cannot find info online to substantiate this) ..

This was in 2008.

I have never heard from them since.
No bills at all since.

I didnt really think much about it. We werent ready to use them, TTC naturally, had a m/c and then were blessed with twins. Lifes been nuts since.

Every now and again though I would wonder why no bill etc? But honestly...I felt like "don't question it"...because then I would need to make some decisions about them..and what to do with them, as I dont think we could really afford indefinte storage and we arent sure about using them..etc. and then I would get stressed so I stopped thinking about them.

But now I kinda need to know.

Why would I not have gotten a bill and What if they lost them or something? I'm scared of that too.

I cannot get myself to make this phone call.

So I dont know the rest of this posts point, just looking for info on anyones experience there with the storage and does anyone know WHO directly I would call about this?

I know I'm crazy for not calling , I am just in denial about the decisions it involves and part of me is terrified they lost them.

TIA !!!

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

I know you know this already but you have to call! My IVF was also in 2008 and I have paid over 1200 in storage fees since then. I am very surprised to hear that you have not gotten a bill. Were storage costs included in the grant? Call today and find out!

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

I would call the clinic and speak to a patient coordinator. They will look into your case and hopefully get you some answers. I am starting IVF and according to RMA they bill you about a month prior to the year end.

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

i have no experience with North Shore, but i just did IVF last year using the grant and 1 year of storage was included.

i'm sure your embies are fine. i would call. they may realize the mistake and back charge you.

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

I went to North Shore and got a bill after the first year. I also got a form to fill out that I needed to get notarized if I didn't want the embryos anymore. I don't think they would destroy them without your permission but its strange you didn't get a bill. There is a lady there that specifically handles the storage, but I don't remember her name though.

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

I just got a bill about 14 months after my successful IVF cycle. I used North Shore. I would definitely call. they use the NSLIJ billing service so I am sure there was just a mix up in the paperwork. I think your embryos are probably fine!

Re: Embryo storage at North Shore...Strange situation

Definitely call I got a bill after the first year but I don't think they can destroy them without your consent. I think it's a legal/ethical issue there.