Need advice (long)

Hi ladies,

I know I've been MIA for a while but I was taking a break from treatments and this board for my sanity. After stopping treatment, I started getting AF on my own, although my cycles were long. We did everything right and still no BFP for 6 months. So, we're now ready for IVF.

Long story short, I was seeing Dr. Flisser at RMA in Garden City. I loved him and the whole place, felt very comfortable there, etc. I feel like he really knows me and once we start IVF would be very careful not to overstimulate me (that happened the first time on injectibles but never again, he was great at giving me the perfect dosage). I was just really really happy there.

Now, as of December, I have new insurance that RMA doesn't take. We were going to be self-pay for the IVF procedure anyway, since my old insurance would only cover monitoring and meds. We saved the $$ for IVF, but if I stay at RMA we'll be out of pocket for meds and monitoring. I'm assuming that will be another $4K or so? Does this number sound right?

My new insurance still doesn't cover the procedure, but would cover meds and monitoring somewhere else.

My problem now is whether its worth $4K (or whatever it is) not to have to start over, with a doctor I don't know and who doesn't know me, or suck it up and spend the money. I know this is a personal decision but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. TIA.

Re: Need advice (long)

Does your insurance allow you to go out of network or they just don't take your insurance at all?

Can you afford $4k out of pocket for more than one cycle?

My opinion for what its worth, meet a doctor or two that does take your insurance and see who you feel after just talking with them.

You pay for that insurance, shame if you got no value out of it.

Re: Need advice (long)

Hi Carolyn! As a fellow patient of Dr. Flisser, I completely understand what you are saying.

My opinion is that if you can afford the $4000, I would stick with RMA of NY. I think that it is very important to be comfortable with the doctors and staff and in the long run, I don't think $4000 is that big of a deal, if you can afford it.

Also, there always is a possibility of getting leftover meds from some of the wonderful women on this site!!!

Re: Need advice (long)

Carolyn,

I have no words of advice, other than you will know in your heart what is the right thing to do.

I wish you didn't need to be on this board..we have missed you, but I am happy for you that you are in the right place to move forward. for success for you soon!

Re: Need advice (long)

Re: Need advice (long)

Re: Need advice (long)

Carolyn, I was just thinking- can you find out from your current dr. what your protocol would be for IVF? If you know what meds you need you can start to work on getting them- I know some ppl on here mentioned they have extra meds. Try to get a list together!

Re: Need advice (long)

Thanks everyone for your advice. I emailed back and forth with Dr. Flisser and spoke with their financial department yesterday - and then DH and I discussed it and decided to stay with RMA! They told me that the only meds not covered will be Lupron and Gonal F/Follistim. So it will probably be less than $3K more to stay with them, which we feel is worth it. The monitoring is already included in the $9K that we had earmarked for IVF anyway.

Looks like I will be starting in the next couple of weeks!

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Re: Need advice (long)

Best of luck to you Carolyn!!!!

Re: Need advice (long)

Carolyn,
Welocme back and best of luck with your IVF cycle. I agree that Dr. Flisser is great and am really glad you can stick with him for this!!




Shawnna

Re: Need advice (long)

Someone mentioned recently that Schrafts is have a $99 lupron kit sale! I also think someone on here had a kit available- hopefully they can FM you!!!

Re: Need advice (long)

Carolyn, my insurance was not taken by RMA NY-talk to Dr.Flisser, although i didnt do ivf, i did have surgery etc and they ran it through my insurance..plus, i am pretty sure you can go out of network and they cover usually 70-90 percent depending on the plan. I love Dr. Flisser, he gave me my baby girl! I thought they were nothing short of the best in the area. I understand your delimia with costs as i think i ended up racking up tons over all ..my surgery alone was over 20k..but i didnt pay that!

If it is tough, check out a few other docs..but call them up and talk to them, he might be able to make some suggestions..

Re: Need advice (long)

Honestly, I would check out some other docs and see what's out there. I know everyone else is saying stick with Flisser, but honestly, if you bring your records its not an issue to switch. I just did it after being at LI IVF for a million years. That's if the $4k is a pain for you. If its not and you're happy with Flisser, then stay...what the heck, right?

Re: Need advice (long)

Since you've already made your decision, I just wanted to wish you luck and hope your IVF cycle is successful.
BTW, I have about 9 vials of Gonal-F if you'd like them.