grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

So some of you might remember all my good fortune last month with finances.

Well just yesterday I sent most of my grant money to pay my school loan and saved about $2500 that I was expecting as my copayment for my IVF cycle.

Today I go for my physical and trial transfer and I stopped at the billing department on my way out since I hadnt got a bill yet. Well, they tell me I should get it in teh mail anyday but they give me a copy and its $4500 and this is with insurance. I thought I would have a stroke.

Then I see $850 of that is for cryo of sperm, so I start thinking maybe I can ask them if we can skip this..... but no I had already dropped it off this morning.

Think thats bad.... then I get home and get their bill. well attached to what I already got is a letter saying my insurance doesnt cover the hospital facility fee so I have to pay an extra $1200 for that.

Thats almost $6000. AGAIN WITH INSURANCE!!!!!

So now I am torn, I am already mid cycle. I start stimming 8/18 and have my meds already. Do I cancel and try and get on a better insurance polciy during DH's next open enrollment. Or just put out and shut up, for lack of a better expression.

I hate to complain about money because I know some of you pay alot more. BUt we dont make that much money to begin with. Also most self-payers at least have time to think about it and come to a decision on their own. I feel like I was just thrown into this.


PS- I really wish I had my computer now. I need your support. I am staying at work late trying to catch up on LIF

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

I'm so sorry Pauline.

I have to say, I would keep going with the cycle. It's just money and you'll catch back up.

But it's such a personal decision based on what you can handle. Both financially and emotionally.

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

I don't understand how all of this was not spelled out for you specifically prior to starting the treatments. I would contact your insurance and the IVF billing place and discuss what is going on. This is just insane to not give you a very clear understanding of what your insurance pays for and doesn't pay for.

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

thing is..this is when they do the financial part of it. After your already emotionally invested in it.

I feel like we will be dealing with the same thing soon. A few weeks in to find out we will likely ( if approved) have to cancel it due to $$$.

Pauline- I can only tell you what I would do..If I could come up with the money I would pay it.

The reason the Insurance doesnt cover the facility charge is b/c insurance only covers "neccesary" hospital charges, meaning "elective" surgeries( which transfer and retrival are) are not covered for a seperate "hospital charge". unfortunatly most insurances dont cover it, but I have seen some occasions where they bill it differently and it gets through insurance and then NSUH reimburses you the $1200.

BUT that also depends on the billing person doing it, its just a chance.

I wish I had more advice.

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

I'll have to find out if my primary inusrance paid the facility charge the last two cycles.

I knew my coverage had a 25% coinsurance, but when I had Oxford they only paid the MD like 3K in total, apparently GHI pays the doctors much better. Good for them, but in this situation, stinks for me.

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Pauline this totally sux. I am so sorry. What is really really strange - my insurance doesn't cover IVF, and yet my bill is only $7,500. Well I say "only" because you - with insurance - are paying almost as much@@ That is just insane.

I hate hate hate these insurance companies....

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Posted by dm24angel

$7500 TOTAL??????????

The work sheet we got the other day shows our total as close to 16K! ?!?!?!

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Pauline, I'm sorry about the insurance, it just plan sucks.....

as for what to do, really only you can answer that but if it was me I would continue and just deal with the $$ later (I"m a rob Peter to pay Paul type of person )

whatever you do, we're all here to support you

Hey LIF - maybe an idea for the GTG should be an IVF scholarship? we could all benefit from that...

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Posted by rose825

Posted by karacg

Pauline this totally sux. I am so sorry. What is really really strange - my insurance doesn't cover IVF, and yet my bill is only $7,500. Well I say "only" because you - with insurance - are paying almost as much@@ That is just insane.

I hate hate hate these insurance companies....

I know I was thinking that and I called today to ask how much it would be for self pay and Donna's right with everything it comes to 16K.

they didnt ask you for your 20% upfront like Pauline?

W T F???

Holy @#$%. I've been told I have great insurance. NSUH is not a provider but they have taken the 80% as full payment before. Now I'm worried

Re: grrrr- just when ya let your guard down

I guess b/c NSUH has a contract with GHI they have to collect teh 25%coinsurance. I think T's plan was out of network.

I did get them to take off the copay though and one of the procedures I know I wont have done. So that was about 1K less.