Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mock Transfer and a "Whammy"!

Today I had my first real appointment for IVF #2. EEEKKKK!! My RE did my mock transfer, which is basically like a meet and greet between her and my uterus. I'm reasonable sure no autographs were signed, but I'm glad they have had a little practice run for the big show. It was quick and painless and really got me excited for the real thing. I was sitting there naked with a full bladder, legs sticking straight up in the air, while my girlie parts were on display for a room full of onlookers watching me get felt up. (Actually now that I think about it, I'm not sure why there had to be 4 nurses, my RE, and an ultrasound tech in the room. It really was like a meet in greet with a long line of fans.) All I could think about was...OMG, next time this happens I'm going be getting PREGNANT! I have expressed here several times how I'm not as excited for IVF this time, mainly because I know what to expect and I'm dreading the whole process. However at that moment I saw more than just the shots 6 times a day. More than just the dread of smuggling a cluster of grapes across the border in my ovaries. More than just the emotional highs and lows of being hopped up on enough hormones to get an elephant pregnant. I saw more than those two magical pink lines. This time, I saw....a baby. Maybe I'm focusing on the wrong thing this go round. While the actual IVF process SUCKS, I am also well aware of what to expect if I do hit the lotto twice and IVF #2 actually works. That's what excites me about this cycle.

While I was at the RE today, I finally got to meet the "insurance lady". I am NOT very fond of her. She was a total Whammy..."Press Your Luck" style.

The reason I needed to speak with her was so she could fax my insurance company proof of my past IUI's (which they need before they will authorize the big I-V-F). They also need the reasons why we did ICSI and AH last time (so they can preauthorize them for this cycle), and my most recent Cd3 labs.

From here on out please read any "quotes" like this...

That is alot of stuff for her to "remember"  and dig out of my medical records. SHE DIDN'T EVEN WRITE IT DOWN!?!?! I know this is her "job" and she "probably" knows what to send. But she admitted that she rarely deals with insurance companies when it comes to IVF since very few of them cover it. I'll give you one guess who the responsibility is going to fall on when it comes time to making sure everything is filed properly with my insurance company... ME!!! Normally this wouldn't piss me off, Ok I'm am lying. I even hate it when waitresses don't write down my dinner order. Take out a freaking pen and write it down on a post it note. Hell, I will even accept a mini post it note written in   hieroglyphs, JUST WRITE IT DOWN!!!


After she annoyed me with that crap, she mentioned the $1500 "cycle management fee". WTF is that you may ask? It's a freaking RIP OFF! That $1500 is charged by my RE's office and NOT covered by insurance. As if IVF is not expensive enough for us infertiles they have to throw in a extra $1500 administrative fee? Remember my debate on whether to freeze of not? Well I'm definitely freezing now. Doing this IVF cycle will make us meet our yearly max out of pocket insurance deductible. So basically after we pay that amount everything should be covered at 100% (Aka: free) for the rest of the year. I should be able to do another IVF cycle for free, but NOOOOOOOOO my Dr thinks they need to add on an extra charge of $1500. I know I have infertility insurance but most people don't and as if $17,000 to get pregnant is not expensive enough they have to add an extra $1500 into the mix? 


I was so mad today that  I actually called another local IVF office and got their fee schedule. Ummm...yeah so apparently everyone charges this crazy "cycle management fee" (For the record, I really do throw air quotes anytime I say "cycle management fee"). Long story short...I'm paying the freaking $1500 and sticking with my original RE. It sucks but what other choice do I have? I can't complain, even with this "fee" we are only up to $2800 for this IVF cycle (not including freezing). I can't believe I am even complaining about it. Please don't hate me! All I can think about is how much baby stuff I could buy with those 1500 dollars. Maybe the Sunday paper will offer an IVF coupon next week. ;) Fingers crossed! HAHAHA!!!


P.S. While you are here, will you take 10 seconds to click on this link and vote for my very favorite infertility blog, Busted Plumbing. She is awesome and it only takes 2 clicks, you don't even have to input an email address or anything. If you need a good laugh definitely check out her blog. 

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know your frustrated and all...but that whole "quotes" mess had me cracking up! The picture definitely helped ;)

It must truly suck to have to worry about these extra fees. That's like a restaurant charging an "eat-in fee" because they have to wipe down the table and clean the dishes... or like a retail store charging you a "manufacturing fee" to have sewn clothes together... BS!

waiting and wishing said...

ahhhh, suck! I would be mad too. We also have infertility coverage that we are super thankful for, but it is also a HUGE pain in my rear! Good Luck!!

Tillie said...

ugh that's ridiculous that they charge the extra fee. So freaking poopy :( Haha on the "quotes" I totally read it like Dr. Evil!!!!

FX for everything with you on this IVF cycle! I am so freaking excited for you!!!!!!

Amber said...

so sorry to hear about the ridiculous cost that is truly crazy to have to pay $1500 it sounds like for nothing. At least you do have coverage for the IVF so that will help out for sure though

Anonymous said...

Tell that chic you charge a "screw this up or piss me off and I'm suing you for the $1500 back to pay my psychologist" fee. Dang I could pay some major bills for one month with that fee....but not any bills that bring me a beautiful miracle. Love you! ~JDriver

Ange said...

Why did they need to do another mock transfer? Did they "forget" the size of your uterus?

I had a fertility appointment today too, so I am ultra upset with YOUR insurance lady as mine never called me back today as she promised, and I am sure this is a little game they like to play with our heads.

Praying for great results on your next transfer!

Lora said...

Wow, I can't believe she didn't write anything down. How can you make sure she did everything right? I would hate to be her if this gets screwed up cause she "forgets" something!

BB said...

Oh that sucks! Great about the trial transfer... I had my trial transfer on Tuesday. Sorry you are having to deal with the "insurance" lady and "cycle management fee".

I work for a company that has IVF insurance coverage (for one cycle) so the finance lady at my clinic is well versed in dealing with my company's insurance... (they have many patients from my company). The finance lady kept me updated when the insurance company was refuting that I actually had 6 IUI's and she simply took care of all those details, thankfully! Good luck!!

Erin said...

I call bulls*it!!! Where do they all get off charging that?? Don't the treatments make them enough money?!?!

Kat said...

unexpected silly fees totally suck. I'm glad your insurance covers everything though. By the way I TOTALLY hate when people don't write things down either especially after they've proven that they will NOT remember them. GRRR Makes my blood boil. On a more positive note : GOOD LUCK! :) I hope this one's the one.

Kevin H - Infertility Insurance said...

This cycle management fee sounds like your clinic is gaming insurance laws. When a clinic is dealing with a self pay couple insurance rules don’t apply. If they accept payment from your insurance carrier they have to play by insurance rules. You should only be responsible for co-pays, co-insurance, policy limits, and meeting your deductible.
Check again with your insurance carrier for leverage. It’s not easy getting tough with the clinic helping you conceive. Good luck!

Gina said...

It's so exciting for you to be getting started for your next IVF!

I agree it stinks that they charge fees insurance won't cover...kind of seems like they should just be satisfied with charging the fees insurance does cover!

Chon said...

$1500 fee - what a crock. great post though. Whammy I used to LOVE that show instant smiles from the past. You know January isn't too far away. If my damn uterus is still misbehaving we could be cycling together!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

What?!?! That is a crazy cost! Loved the Press Your Luck reference.

Nick and Kristi said...

Wow...that fee is crazy....I would be pissed 2....I mean arent they sucking enough money for the IVF let alone add another fee....I did not have any fee like this....and would fight it if I did because it is not standard where I am from...

When we did IVF....I had the Mock x-fer and that was not covered by our insurance but I am appealing it and of course the freezing/storing was not either but thank god everything else was

Major bummer about the extra fee

Ritkiss said...

That is so frustrating. As if the stress of IVF isn't enough...to now have to fork over extra money you didn't count on.
Best of luck to you on this cycle. Hope it all goes well.

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