IUI/Insurance Question

I just found out that my job has changed our healthcare coverage and as of January 1, 2009 we will no longer have any infertility treatment coverage!

I am so upset

We are JUST getting started with the RE (tomorrow) and were thrilled to be covered for 6 IUIs and any IF-related medications (Clomid, Injectibles, etc.) and now that will all be gone! I'm not even sure if we will still be covered for the RE.

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When people do back to back IUIs, does that get charged as 2? I am wondering if we could do back-to-back IUIs for October, November, December so we can use those 6 before our coverage runs out.

Also, how many IUIs did you do unmedicated? with Clomid? with injectibles? (before moving onto IVF)?

Thank you

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

I don't think back-to-backs get charged as 2- but i'm not positive.

I did one cycle of 50mg Clomid, which gave me horrible side effects and did nothing, so then I moved straight to injectibles. I did a single IUI on Sunday.

Sorry I can't answer your questions better

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

I think its a really great idea to do back to back IUIs before the insurance runs out!! I would be as aggressive as possible before the end of the year. As far as if it's billed as 2 seperate IUIs...I'm not really sure about that. But I'm sure if you called the billing dept at your RE's office they would would be able to answer that. i wish you the best of luck and I pray for your BFP

I havent done injectibles but I got pregnant on my 2nd IUI/ first time with clomid.

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

I would def do the Back to back IUI's and maybe see if you can order ALL meds b/4 Jan if you do decide to go onto IVF maybe you can get the meds in DEC so you will at least can get them while you are under your coverage.

Good Luck... Hopefully you won't need all 6 IUI's.

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

I thought I heard somewhere once that IUIs can be billed as diagnostic, in which case, your insurance has to cover it.

You might want to check with your RE's office about that.

Does your DH have insurance benefits? It might be wirth looking into switching to his coverage. Good luck.

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

First off I am sorry for your insurance situation. Each IUI will be billed separately and back to back IUI's are always a good idea. My insurance covered all IF treatments and I did 1 unmedicated IUI, 2 with clomid, and 2 with injections before moving to IVF. It was IVF that finally got me PG. Many doctors suggest trying 3 rounds of any particular treatment before moving on to something more aggressive. Given your limited time with insurance, I would probably go straight for Clomid with IUI and skip the unmedicated IUI. JMO!

Re: IUI/Insurance Question

Thanks so much everyone!

To answer a few questions -

My RE appointment is tomorrow so I will definitely ask if they bill separately for the back-to-back IUIs.

My DH doesn't have insurance through his job.

CarlieJD - Thanks for that tip! I will see if that is possible!

I think I will ask to skip the unmedicated IUI and go straight to Clomid or injectibles!