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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Insurance question
I have crappy insurance - it covers everything but the procedures themselves.
DH has NO IF coverage.
Well, we had "the talk" last night about what our next step will be if the next 3-4 IUI's don't work, and we're both on board for IVF.
Problem being, we'll have to pay out of pocket.
Now, Dh has two jobs. One of them, a law firm, pays him $300 a month to use another insurance plan, outside theirs, but the option is always there to enroll through the firm with one of their insurance plans.
I told him TODAY to inquire with the firm and find out what kind of plans the law firm offers.
Now, my question being - let's say the law firm has a plan that offers extensive IF coverage. Let's say he switches to that plan, and adds me onto the plan. How would this work? Would our IF issues be treated as a pre-existing condition, thereby disqualifying us for any coverage?? Is there an applicable grace period with these kind of things?
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Posted 5/21/08 7:38 AM  |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Depends on the plan, how many employees and in PA I'm not sure if it's a community rated plan. You have had continuing medical coverage so there shouldn't be pre-existing issues.
You really have to get a hold of the plan document or speak to the health insurance administrator. It's not black and white.
If your plan doesn't cover something then it's a likelihood that the new plan would exclude it.
Get the document and talk to someone who administers the plan.
I've been reading a lot about IVF and why it's not covered and the main reason plans don't cover it is because there are no regulations and no universal way to track success rates. It goes on and on..I have a few books I would be willing to lend you on this.
Good luck and please let us know what you find out.
Have you set aside flex spending dollars?
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| Posted 5/21/08 8:40 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Blu-ize
Depends on the plan, how many employees and in PA I'm not sure if it's a community rated plan. You have had continuing medical coverage so there shouldn't be pre-existing issues.
You really have to get a hold of the plan document or speak to the health insurance administrator. It's not black and white.
If your plan doesn't cover something then it's a likelihood that the new plan would exclude it.
Get the document and talk to someone who administers the plan.
I've been reading a lot about IVF and why it's not covered and the main reason plans don't cover it is because there are no regulations and no universal way to track success rates. It goes on and on..I have a few books I would be willing to lend you on this.
Good luck and please let us know what you find out.
Have you set aside flex spending dollars?
For this year, yes, but not much, I think $1000 total - I was going with the assumtion that it would cover the few IUI's I would need to get pregnant.
Then we have another crux - to wait until we can increase the amount in January to try IVF, or to forge ahead in the Sept/Oct timeframe and just use our savings.
We were planning a big big trip to Tuscany for September, but we just scratched that until we know exactly what's going on with all of this. We figured, between the airfare for the three of us, and all the other expenses, it would have cost about $6k. That's like half a kid! 
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| Posted 5/21/08 8:44 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Insurance question
I believe IF is not treated as a pre-existing condition.
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| Posted 5/21/08 9:23 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by MrsRbk
I believe IF is not treated as a pre-existing condition.
that would be great!
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| Posted 5/21/08 9:56 AM |
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Donna
1 year already!!
Member since 5/05 3360 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by MrsRbk
I believe IF is not treated as a pre-existing condition.
that would be great!
I hope it's not for your case.
I have switched insuance 3 times while dealing with IF and I've never had an issue but I also don't have very good IF coverage (I only have bw/sonos/visits covered - no IVFs)
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:11 AM |
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mom2mgn
Love my family
Member since 2/08 2267 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Insurance question
I've switched insurance companies several times and never had an issue. Most recently, I was on my DH's insurance which covered nothing. I got a new job that had IVF coverage so I took their insurance and my next cycle is being covered.
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:20 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
I want DH to go work for Verizon because they cover 4 cycles..wow!
UBS also covers 4 cycles..
they have great insurance. Dh works for another carrier and their insurance really suks.
just thought I would add that..not really relevant, but it was making me think.
Message edited 5/21/2008 10:28:11 AM.
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:27 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Blu-ize
I want DH to go work for Verizon because they cover 4 cycles..wow!
UBS also covers 4 cycles..
they have great insurance. Dh works for another carrier and their insurance really suks.
just thought I would add that..not really relevant, but it was making me think.
my insurance covers 3 cycles at 80%. We're on cycle #2 right now. We decided that if this cycle doesn't work and we have embryos to freeze that we will pay out of pocket for a FET since a fresh cycle is more $$. Also, since we both have different insurance carriers, my husbands insurance also covers 3 cycles, so come open enrollment we will add me to his plan as well, and take more money out for our flex spending as we went through it in less than 5 months this year!
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:30 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by MrsRbk
Posted by Blu-ize
I want DH to go work for Verizon because they cover 4 cycles..wow!
UBS also covers 4 cycles..
they have great insurance. Dh works for another carrier and their insurance really suks.
just thought I would add that..not really relevant, but it was making me think.
my insurance covers 3 cycles at 80%. We're on cycle #2 right now. We decided that if this cycle doesn't work and we have embryos to freeze that we will pay out of pocket for a FET since a fresh cycle is more $$. Also, since we both have different insurance carriers, my husbands insurance also covers 3 cycles, so come open enrollment we will add me to his plan as well, and take more money out for our flex spending as we went through it in less than 5 months this year!
sounds good. I really hope this works for you.
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:39 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Insurance question
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket 
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:47 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Bxgell2
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket
oh crap!
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:49 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket
oh crap!
I can't tell you how pizzed off I am about this. Between the two of us, we have 3 separate companies that offer insurance and NONE cover a damn thing!
What's worst? I work for the fed. gov't. Of the 15 or so plans they offer to its employees in PA, NONE cover IVF. NONE. And yet the same employees in the SAME EXACT AGENCY in New York, are offered a plan that provides 100% coverage  
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:51 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Bxgell2
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket
oh crap!
I can't tell you how pizzed off I am about this. Between the two of us, we have 3 separate companies that offer insurance and NONE cover a damn thing!
What's worst? I work for the fed. gov't. Of the 15 or so plans they offer to its employees in PA, NONE cover IVF. NONE. And yet the same employees in the SAME EXACT AGENCY in New York, are offered a plan that provides 100% coverage
Beth, you need to call someone..really, this isn't fair. Maybe they can make you a NY employee somehow? I don't know, it may be a stretch but there has to be something you can do?
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:55 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket
oh crap!
I can't tell you how pizzed off I am about this. Between the two of us, we have 3 separate companies that offer insurance and NONE cover a damn thing!
What's worst? I work for the fed. gov't. Of the 15 or so plans they offer to its employees in PA, NONE cover IVF. NONE. And yet the same employees in the SAME EXACT AGENCY in New York, are offered a plan that provides 100% coverage
Beth, you need to call someone..really, this isn't fair. Maybe they can make you a NY employee somehow? I don't know, it may be a stretch but there has to be something you can do?
You can petition your management to offer the coverage. Check out Inciid, I believ ethey have a letter. Now thats assuming you don't mind them all knowing what you're doing. Your DH can do this too which may be a better option. There are stats out there which show that including IVF coverage does not raise insurance costs or raises it minimally while increasing retention and employee satisfaction.
My DH and I took our IVF money out of a 401K i had. I'm sure we'll get screwed at tax time but what can you do?
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| Posted 5/21/08 10:59 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by melijane
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Bxgell2
Well, turns out it's all moot anyway because the law firm plans cover nada, nothing, no-how.
I suppose this means that, if the IUI's don't work, we will be paying totally out of pocket
oh crap!
I can't tell you how pizzed off I am about this. Between the two of us, we have 3 separate companies that offer insurance and NONE cover a damn thing!
What's worst? I work for the fed. gov't. Of the 15 or so plans they offer to its employees in PA, NONE cover IVF. NONE. And yet the same employees in the SAME EXACT AGENCY in New York, are offered a plan that provides 100% coverage
Beth, you need to call someone..really, this isn't fair. Maybe they can make you a NY employee somehow? I don't know, it may be a stretch but there has to be something you can do?
You can petition your management to offer the coverage. Check out Inciid, I believ ethey have a letter. Now thats assuming you don't mind them all knowing what you're doing. Your DH can do this too which may be a better option. There are stats out there which show that including IVF coverage does not raise insurance costs or raises it minimally while increasing retention and employee satisfaction.
My DH and I took our IVF money out of a 401K i had. I'm sure we'll get screwed at tax time but what can you do?
If it were a private company, I *might* have a shot. But, we're talking about the federal government which is just riddled with beauracracy and red tape - they do not make ANY exceptions for ANYONE.
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| Posted 5/21/08 11:06 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Insurance question
I want to cry. I just looked up the insurance plans offered to employees in our agency who live in Greater NY or Northern NJ, and they have 100% coverage for 3 cycles of IVF. THREE. 100%.
I'm going to vomit. 
I have to see if our office in NYC has any openings 
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| Posted 5/21/08 11:13 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Insurance question
Posted by Bxgell2
I want to cry. I just looked up the insurance plans offered to employees in our agency who live in Greater NY or Northern NJ, and they have 100% coverage for 3 cycles of IVF. THREE. 100%.
I'm going to vomit.
I have to see if our office in NYC has any openings
could you transfer to a non-commute NYC job? Even for a year? You could make an appearance in the NY office once a month or something?
There has to be a way!
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| Posted 5/21/08 11:51 AM |
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