How do you afford it?

I just came back from my doctor's appointment - follies aren't doing anything. I did ask about the HSG, and am going to get it next cycle, since its too late in this cycle.

But I had to shell out yet another $40 copay... and I have to go back on Sunday for another sono, which is $40 again... and again and again....
I don't know how we are going to be able to afford it.. I am going to have to get a second job just to pay for the doctor visits.

Then if we do have to go to IUI or IVF my ins. only pays $20,000 lifetime - which gives me what? Only 2 or 3 attempts? What do I do after that ? Do we give up?

I had been so hopeful.. today I am having a bad day because of the money factor. Its just so unfair that we can't have a baby the natural way... the FREE way.

I am thinking of calling my ins. company, do you think that will do anything? I know that for prenatal visits you only have to pay the copay the first time but not anytime thereafter. Do you think there is any way I can convince them that this should be the same?

How do all of you afford it? I am sorry for getting so personal, but I am really concerned about this.

Re: How do you afford it?

Re: How do you afford it?

Tell me about it. My co-pays are $30, but you are right that it adds up, especially now that I am going every other day. I'm scared to add up all the co-pays to figure out how much we've spent so far...and I've never even had a 2ww yet!!!! The co-pay cost is set by the insurance company - an RE is considered a "specialist" so my insurance is $15 for regular doctor, $30 for a specialist, no matter what kind.

The drugs are covered for me, so Clomid cost me $10, my injectibles only cost me $25 out of pocket and $10 for the Ovidrel. However, IVF is not covered (although I'm going to try to argue with the insurance company that the drugs at least should be covered since they are without IVF). My RE charges $11K for one fresh/one frozen IVF cycle and a year of storage of any frozen embies. So we will be paying that out of pocket.

As far as how we're going to pay that $11K - we're waiting till January to go forward with IVF. My RE does offer a "payment plan," kind of like a credit card/loan thing, but DH's company offers a medical flex-pay type program where they will put money in an account for your medical, and take it out of your paycheck over the year, and its not taxed - so essentially you are getting tax-free income. This has to be set up Jan. 1 though so that's why we're waiting.

ETA: my co-pays go on the credit card

Message edited 10/12/2007 10:16:55 AM.

Re: How do you afford it?

Well it's a matter of sitting down a budgeting. Once you accept that this is something you want to do, you need to figure out where you will find the money. You are SO lucky that your insurance company pays that much! Mine covers nothing past diagnostic testing so everything from here on out will be out of pocket. Maybe apply for a low interest/0% credit card that you can charge the co-pays to and have a plan ahead of time on how to pay it off. We are looking at this as a thrid car payment (not that we want it or really can afford it), but looking at it this way has given us hope that we can afford this and we will have a baby at the end of it. I agree it is NOT fair that we can't get a baby the free way, I think that is the most insulting point of this whole journey. Not only are you suffering because you can't concieve, but not your wallet is empty so you are faced with financial stressors too. You will find a way

Re: How do you afford it?

I agree with the other posters - the only thing I will add is that you might want to talk to your Dr. about going straight to IVF as the success rates are much higher and the cost is not that much more than IUI.

I know how it is with the money...save all your receipts though. At the very least you can use it as a tax write-off at the end of the year.

Re: How do you afford it?

it is stressful and healthcare is only going up so many compnaies are continually negotiating less favorable deals for empoyees which benefit the copmany more. as far as the 20K that is a lot. i know the co pays add up- mine are as well. but the 20 K is good, many drs have a buy 2 get 2 program. have you heard about it? i do not need IVF but have researched it anyway. you pay just a drop more than 2 IVFs upfront then you get 4 tries. however if it works earlier you dont get back the money. so you get a disocunt and prepay. a lot of drs have this. so your 20K can cover 4 tries. which is very good. as far as copays think if there is anything you can cut out in your dad to day life - coffee, manicures eating lunch out etc. you many be able to "find" money that way. otherwise aside from Credit cards if you own your home you can take out home equity against it. the interest is at least tax deductible.
calling the insurance company will unfortunatley be not likely to assit you. they cant change what the policy says.
GL

Re: How do you afford it?

one other thing- you can move to new jersey. they have a state law to cover infertility. i dont know the details but they do help.

the receipts i think only will give you a tax write off it they are more than 7% of your income.

Re: How do you afford it?

I see where you are coming from..the way I look at it every time I hand over teh co-pay(mine's $30) Thank good ness IO have insurance and this is all I have to pay. If I didn't have insurance I would be screwed! I also borrowed some money to do some treatments that were not covered by insurance. Your fertility is only viable for so long so you have to be aggressive while you're young IMO.

Re: How do you afford it?

Re: How do you afford it?

Thanks everyone.. It does make it a little better knowing that there are others who are in the same situation. I am so grateful I have this board to turn to for support.

I think I am going to get a second job - I was considering it anyway.
I didn't know about the "agreed" upon amount - I will definitely talk to my ins. co. if I do go to IUI or IVF - and I will definitely consider skipping IUI and going directly to IVF. We are giving it 3 cycles "naturally," once the clomid gets me to ovulate.

I am looking into getting a no interest CC, so that might be an option for the copays for now.

Thanks again, everyone. I wish us all so much luck and . It is unfortunate we all have to be here, but it is good we have each other to confide in.

Re: How do you afford it?

I have done 4 IVF on about 20,000 I thankfully have more still Because I need it but with my insurance company IUI doesn't come out of my lifetime max it comes out of my regular united health care benefits plus also ask the billing dept at your RE if they have a financial hardship program this is a program that some offices have that will except what your insurance gives them and will wave the rest after doing 3 IVF I found out about it and I no longer pay the copays or the 20% that I am supposed to because the office is out of network so they were able to fix it so that I could continue there services and I dont have to pay out of pocket but I still have to pay the lab fees though but I won't complain

Re: How do you afford it?

That's how I felt at my last doctor...I was paying $36 every time I saw him and then another $18 for the lab.

Now let me ask you, usually when they bill for IVF, all the other stuff is included in that (so no copays for scans and b/w). Did you ask if IVF is all inclusive of visits? Of course, I don't mean meds, just office stuff.

Also...my insurance company has what's called a "Center of Excellence." There are a few practices that are a part of this, where if I go there I don't have to pay copays at all. You should see if they have some kind of preferred provider type thing by calling them.