Advice
Feb 22, 2016 21:34:32 GMT -5
Post by grneyes on Feb 22, 2016 21:34:32 GMT -5
I'm sorry for the frustrations with insurance, sounds like something my husband would do!
Do you have access to your plan's brochure (usually like a 100 page pdf)? Generally, a consult and initial blood work testing is usually covered for many plans since it's considered diagnostic testing, not infertility. What usually is not covered is ART treatment procedures - IUI, IVF etc. For me, my treatment cycles are covered because BCBS doesn't consider ovulation induction (medicated cycles) with timed intercourse to be a part of ART procedures. REs also usually bill as OBs as well, so that helps things with insurance. You can also ask the RE's office to contact your insurance to find out exactly what will be covered. I would call them tomorrow and ask them to do this - there is a very good chance that the consult will at least be covered. Additionally, often times codes like ovulation dysfunction etc., whichever apply to your specific situation, are used to have blood work covered.
If your insurance will not cover a consult or diagnostic testing with the RE, there is always the possibility of going back to your OB to do the testing until you can see the RE in June - I would ask for the specific blood tests that are needed (I can send you a list), they should be done at the same time as a semen analysis. However, if they are pretty strict about IF testing it's likely a HSG will not be covered. A lot of the time, only an unexplained diagnosis can be given which is pretty frustrating.
Just as a side note, I get how hard TI can be (I hate it), but I remember you mentioning in the other thread your OB told you to only have sex the day of a positive OPK? I'm not sure if I just read that wrong, but once you get a positive OPK, you should have sex for 3 days in a row to increase your chances each month, not just that day, if those were his instructions.
I think a lot of it also depends on how ready you are to start infertility treatment. Do you want to be doing medicated cycles? IUI? etc. It's a big step starting with the RE, I wish you luck with whatever you and your husband decide to do!
Do you have access to your plan's brochure (usually like a 100 page pdf)? Generally, a consult and initial blood work testing is usually covered for many plans since it's considered diagnostic testing, not infertility. What usually is not covered is ART treatment procedures - IUI, IVF etc. For me, my treatment cycles are covered because BCBS doesn't consider ovulation induction (medicated cycles) with timed intercourse to be a part of ART procedures. REs also usually bill as OBs as well, so that helps things with insurance. You can also ask the RE's office to contact your insurance to find out exactly what will be covered. I would call them tomorrow and ask them to do this - there is a very good chance that the consult will at least be covered. Additionally, often times codes like ovulation dysfunction etc., whichever apply to your specific situation, are used to have blood work covered.
If your insurance will not cover a consult or diagnostic testing with the RE, there is always the possibility of going back to your OB to do the testing until you can see the RE in June - I would ask for the specific blood tests that are needed (I can send you a list), they should be done at the same time as a semen analysis. However, if they are pretty strict about IF testing it's likely a HSG will not be covered. A lot of the time, only an unexplained diagnosis can be given which is pretty frustrating.
Just as a side note, I get how hard TI can be (I hate it), but I remember you mentioning in the other thread your OB told you to only have sex the day of a positive OPK? I'm not sure if I just read that wrong, but once you get a positive OPK, you should have sex for 3 days in a row to increase your chances each month, not just that day, if those were his instructions.
I think a lot of it also depends on how ready you are to start infertility treatment. Do you want to be doing medicated cycles? IUI? etc. It's a big step starting with the RE, I wish you luck with whatever you and your husband decide to do!