"shopping" doctors, prices

I didn't realize different offices charged different amounts for IUI, IVF etc... I figured they were all pretty much the same.

I go to LI IVF which I just read is more expensive than other OOP. Why is this? Are they better than other offices?

I am starting my first IUI cycle this month, and it will cost me 4-$500 each cycle after insurance. Can anyone weigh in on how good your doctor is compared to cost. My mouth dropped when they told me how much this would cost per month.

Don't get me wrong having a baby is worth it, but I guess it was my fault for not speaking with the financial dept. on my first appt. like they told me to. I think every month I am in denial that I will be going back to the RE the next month, so this is all shocking, emotional, depressing, and clouding my brain.

Thanks!

Re: "shopping" doctors, prices

I thin most ladies are in denial at some point, I am every time thinking this is the last time.. I was told Li IVF increased the price buy a few hundred. Not sure why others are under $1,000.00 large overhead? large office space and staff not sure

insurance companies like them because they are a center of excellence or so my insurance co told me

you can look at stats for each office to see success rate, my mind is always clouded when it come to this

Message edited 11/5/2014 8:56:07 PM.

Re: "shopping" doctors, prices

I was surprised that the cost with each office is different too. I went o LIIVF because I liked my Dr.

But, I think may depend on a number of factors, like staff, what they do at the location, equipment, etc.

Re: "shopping" doctors, prices

our insurance covered but we had a hefty copay for specialists, so we paid $50 per visit. (not the initial visit or diagnostic testing, because my primary insurance covered that stuff). Also, my primary paid once i was confirmed pregnant (approx 6 weeks visit, not the 4 wk). All in all it was about $4-450. we also had to pay for donor sperm so that was $800+ $100 thaw (we paid for 2 vials so that was $800 more but that's still sitting in melville). this was all for one month, since the first try worked.
They said if you have to pay OOP, it was about $1900 but there are definitely extras that they dont include in that. - plus this doesnt include any donor sperm or thaw.
As far as the Dr, he was OK. his personality was a little lacking and the patchogue office was slow & inefficient. However, Stonybrook is GREAT. I would go back there vs. anywhere else but only go to Stonybrook next time (not sure if that's possible, because they made us go to Patchogue once we were confirmed pregnant but i think this is because "our" doctor was there?) I dont know if you can choose your doctor. we just kind of went with what we were given based on the proximity to our house the first visit.

Message edited 11/6/2014 9:07:24 AM.