Ins. Questions (yikes!)

Hi ladies

May some of you can help out…

A little bit of my history:

Back in October 2006 I had IVF (my first) and it t failed. This past week I received a bill in the mail for approx $4,000. The description was assisted embryo hatching and oocyte fertilization, microtechnique, less than or equal to 10 oocytes. All I understood was the assisted hatching part and I remember specifically asking my doctor if I had needed this and I remember him saying that I didn’t which made me happy so, months later seeing this bill you can only imagine my face when I got it.

I told the lady in billing about this and she later had a conference with the doctor. The doctor said it’s no mistake and I had it done. I’m annoyed about that and then asked why Empire b/c/b/s didn’t cover this and the lady said it was common of insurance agencies not to cover this type of assistance that was needed.

Does this sound right? I’m so annoyed after all this time seeing this because it was something that I was told I didn’t have done. Did anyone experience this kind of billing dilemma? I’m not happy about it and I want to request proof from both sides. Any advice on how to handle something like this ladies?

Thank you and much love & support!

Re: Ins. Questions (yikes!)

Hmmm that sux and i have a feeling unless you have in writing what they are going to do you may have to suck this one up..That being said-you could attempt to appeal your insurance co and make the Dr give you a letter stating he felt it was medically necessary. I have also read if you can get on the phone with a nurse at the insurance co they can sometimes get stuff approved that wouldn't normally. GL

Re: Ins. Questions (yikes!)

Maybe you asked about ICSI which is directly inseminating each egg. That is a procedure which is sometimes not done, especially if you are on the younger side.
From what I understand, they always have to do assisted hatching due to the fact that the eggs are fertilized outside the body.
I'm not sure what the oocyte means.
Try calling BCBS and see what they say. A lot of times if you question a charge they will reinvestigate.
Good luck.