What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Hi - The post about the out-of-network anesthesiologist got me wondering........what are the hidden/unexpected costs that come along with an IVF cycle?

I would never think to anticipate costs for an out-of-network anesthesiologist (and I only have in-network insurance coverage).

What other things like this have come up?

My specifics are Oxford Liberty in-network only insurance.
*Who at Dr. B's office would I speak to in order to get info on what would be covered and a breakdown of other costs?*

As for meds, I will most likely be doing:

IVIG (home administration--which also from another post seems like I have to find out about payment for that)

Prednisone

Lovenox

Lupron

Ganirelix

Estrogen

Gonal F

(also, at another point, Dr. B had said that everyone also gets progesterone?)

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Margaret checked out my insurance benefits and I'm sure she will do the same for you.

I can't speak to your insurance as mine is different.

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Thanks for your reply! I will call Margaret.
I just want to make sure I know what all to ask about.....otherwise, I feel like things tend to slip through the cracks, like, "oh, didn't we mention that?"

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Niot a Dr. B patient but I know that even though I have insurance coverage, they would not cover ICSI for me because I have no MF issues. Many centers do only ICSI unless you tell them otherwise. Out of pocket it costs $2,500 or so at my center. Also, if you are looking to do Assisted Hatching, if it is not covered for you, you need to take that into account.
Also, my insurance does not cover the cost to store frozen embryos....that could cost several hundered dollars.

You will also likely need to PIO progesterone shots or other P4 meds and estrogen.

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Check your copays.

My first IVF cycle with Columbia I only paid about $300 in copays.

We were set to do an IVF cycle with NYU and apparenlty the copay with them was 20% of the entire cost even though I have IVF benefits. It was enough to put us on hold for now. Good Luck

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

i saw dr. B and for my IVF i was told everything was covered except anesthesia (covered out of network), cryo of the embryos, and yearly storage of the frozen embryos. well its been 3+ months since my IVF and SO FAR it seems like however these things were submitted were covered. i still havent gotten a bill. although i keep getting weird other bills for misc. bloodwork which SHOULD be covered . i have UHC btw.

also know that if you are doing your IVF at AFS that they do ICSI standard. for me this was covered with no issue.

you will DEF have to do some form of progesterone afterwards. depending on your trigger it will likely be PIO or if you are lucky only crinone. but you will prob have to do PIO. for my IVF i had to do estrogen patches and e2v suppositories post ER also. and theres also the nice tablet for muscle relaxation on the day of ER.

Message edited 2/1/2011 9:19:16 PM.

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Just wanted to wish you luck and an easy road with getting started!

Amy

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Everything for my IVF cycle was out of pocket for us.
after i paid the fee for the IVF with covers u till ur 2nd beta.

Thankfully my ins covered some of my meds. Not all but some was better than non.

If you call ur ins co, they will tell u what meds they generally cover this way u can know what to be prepared for.
As far as any unexpected charges from Dr. B's office I had none at all.
It was exactly as the original breakdown i had been given.
$500.00 extra for the anesthesia and
$700 extra for freezing any left over embryos.

I think I still have the break down they had sent me if you want me to fwd it to u
After I got my positive, I started paying my regular copay again for the follow up visits.

HTH

Message edited 2/3/2011 7:34:26 AM.

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

Re: What are the unexpected IVF costs? (esp Dr. B patients)

thank you SO much to everyone who responded!