Post by oneslybookworm on Sept 24, 2014 8:52:39 GMT -5
Today I finally scheduled my appointment with the RE, for October 7th. What can I expect at the first appointment? They're supposed to email me my paperwork today, but thought I'd ask you all first.
I'm officially scared shitless, and yet relieved at the same time. ARG HORMONES!
I had my appt last week. It was fairly painless. We talked about my history, went over possibilities about why we couldn't get pregnant (she diagnosed me with unexplained secondary infertility), and things we can do to get pregnant (clomid, IUI, etc). They also did an ultrasound and bloodwork.
Post by ghostmonkey on Sept 24, 2014 9:12:34 GMT -5
Went over the intake paperwork for myself and my husband. Went over both of our family medical history, both reproductive and otherwise. He reviewed my charts quick, then a quick ultrasound. Met the nurses I would be working with and the billing clerk who had taken our insurance cards and gave us a pricing list of what everything would run us based on our insurance coverage.
DH did his blood work, they faxed the orders for my CD3 blood work to be done when necessary at a local lab. I had and HSG done already and he was satisfied with the images and results, otherwise we would have made arrangements for that. DH had done an SA and results were fine. If we were doing TI my RE would have wanted to repeat the SA at their lab with stricter requirements, but since we were doing IUI, they would do one with that and the previous results indicated no pressing issues so everyone was ok with just waiting for the IUI to do the stricter test.
Post by oneslybookworm on Sept 24, 2014 9:17:49 GMT -5
ghostmonkey - thanks for that! DH won't be able to come with me this time around (business trip to Asia), but I can get him an appointment for when he returns for his bit.
I also had an ultrasound and bloodwork at my initial appointment and DH had bloodwork. He went for an SA at a later date (all good) and I had an HSG (I have a slightly dilated tube on one side, but all good other than that). We did a "Clomid Challenge" (sees how you respond to meds) the first round, which was Clomid with TI, but alas I'm not pregnant so I have to figure out what my next steps are once CD1 comes around. At the first appointment the billing department called my insurance to find out what is covered and I'm lucky in that I have pretty good IF coverage (the one thing that's in my favor!).
We got a folder full of information to read at our leisure which has been helpful. It is very overwhelming, but I never felt rushed and was allowed to ask all the questions I needed to.
Good luck! It's a tough decision to meet with an RE but you will feel so much better once you find out what the issue is (if there's an issue) and you can move forward in the process!
No experience but I am glad that you made the appointment. Moving forward with this stuff is scary if not terrifying at times.
Just make sure to write down any questions you have between now and then, you'll probably walk into the office and draw a blank so it's good to have it written down. ((Hugs))
I don't have anything to contribute re: what to expect, but I definitely agree with awick14 write down your questions before you go in. Whenever I see my naturopathic doctor I always forget something I meant to ask her.
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
ghostmonkey - thanks for that! DH won't be able to come with me this time around (business trip to Asia), but I can get him an appointment for when he returns for his bit.
MH didn't go with and the didn't seem interested in doing bloodwork on him since his SA came back normal. I would ask them about it.
ghostmonkey - thanks for that! DH won't be able to come with me this time around (business trip to Asia), but I can get him an appointment for when he returns for his bit.
MH didn't go with and the didn't seem interested in doing bloodwork on him since his SA came back normal. I would ask them about it.
IVF is considered tissue transplant here, so blood work is mandatory to check for a number of issues. It had nothing to do with his SA results.
My RE also would not order an SA for a patient he has never met, so my husband going in (if we hadn't already had that done) would have been necessary and part of why both partners are required to be at the initial appointment. That, and they want to make sure both partners are on board with the process (with business travel they will make an exception, but they made it clear those were extreme exceptions).
I'm glad you called and have an appointment--and that it is so soon! I think it will be really helpful one way or another to get some answers.
This thread is GREAT, our appointment with the RE is in a few weeks and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect. It would be great if they could get me some information on pricing like ghostmonkey got. That sounds SO informative. I am going to ask for that.
I'm glad you called and have an appointment--and that it is so soon! I think it will be really helpful one way or another to get some answers.
This thread is GREAT, our appointment with the RE is in a few weeks and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect. It would be great if they could get me some information on pricing like ghostmonkey got. That sounds SO informative. I am going to ask for that.
In with my new patient paperwork they added a pricing list of all of their services. But they also told me that since my insurance doesn't cover anything that we could work out some discounts (they didn't charge me for the ultrasound that day). It's doesn't hurt to ask.
I'm glad you called and have an appointment--and that it is so soon! I think it will be really helpful one way or another to get some answers.
This thread is GREAT, our appointment with the RE is in a few weeks and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect. It would be great if they could get me some information on pricing like ghostmonkey got. That sounds SO informative. I am going to ask for that.
They can do that for any procedure/treatments you ever have done, not just fertility things. They have the codes that they will be using, all they do is call your insurance and find out what they cover for that code. If it goes against your deductible, you may have to do a little math to figure out your OOP costs, but you can get a number upfront on anything if you ask.
I'm glad you called and have an appointment--and that it is so soon! I think it will be really helpful one way or another to get some answers.
This thread is GREAT, our appointment with the RE is in a few weeks and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect. It would be great if they could get me some information on pricing like ghostmonkey got. That sounds SO informative. I am going to ask for that.
They can do that for any procedure/treatments you ever have done, not just fertility things. They have the codes that they will be using, all they do is call your insurance and find out what they cover for that code. If it goes against your deductible, you may have to do a little math to figure out your OOP costs, but you can get a number upfront on anything if you ask.
I already know that testing is covered and treatments are not (for IF), but knowing the actual charges and costs will help us to make sure we save enough money to pay for our OOP costs for any treatments, you know?
Post by oneslybookworm on Sept 25, 2014 9:10:11 GMT -5
I'll be sure to ask for a pricing list of stuff. Luckily, my insurance covers SOME IF treatment. Diagnostic work has no cap, but is subject to our deductibles. We've hit our deductibles for this year, so I'm trying to get it all in this year to take advantage of that. After deductible, insurance covers 80%, we cover 20%.
IF treatment is capped (lifetime cap) at $5k, also subject to deductible. So...that would be after my deductible is met, once the 80% portion the insurance pays reaches $5k, we're done. It's not a lot, but it's better than nothing! I'm just glad it actually covers something at all!
Post by ghostmonkey on Sept 25, 2014 12:22:38 GMT -5
I would ask how monitoring ultrasounds are coded and what your insurance considers them IF or diagnostic. If they don't apply toward your IF amount, that can make a big difference on your number of cycles before you hit the cap because those can add up very quickly.
I'll be sure to ask for a pricing list of stuff. Luckily, my insurance covers SOME IF treatment. Diagnostic work has no cap, but is subject to our deductibles. We've hit our deductibles for this year, so I'm trying to get it all in this year to take advantage of that. After deductible, insurance covers 80%, we cover 20%.
IF treatment is capped (lifetime cap) at $5k, also subject to deductible. So...that would be after my deductible is met, once the 80% portion the insurance pays reaches $5k, we're done. It's not a lot, but it's better than nothing! I'm just glad it actually covers something at all!
It's nice that your insurance covers some of it!
We actually just got paperwork for our appointment last night including information about pricing and insurance. It suggested calling our insurance about certain testing procedures to see if they are covered, and provided the codes for insurance. I know the treatment procedures are not covered at all, but I need to double check on all of the diagnostic procedures.
All in all I was REALLY comforted last night by the materials they sent. It said they have counselors to work with each individual or couple to work on payment and a plan based on your financial situation. They have payment plans, 0% interest lenders, 24-7 support, etc. I am so looking forward to our appointment next month.
I also can't wait to hear how yours goes--report back!
Good luck with the appointment! My first one went pretty well and similar to those above. I would just prepare yourself for not starting any treatments for awhile. The testing can take awhile first. I had my first appt in early June and just in my first medicated cycle now. Yours may move faster but just be prepared to wait a bit. I hope this makes the difference for you and you're pregnant soon
Post by ginkgoleaf on Sept 26, 2014 14:54:26 GMT -5
Late to the thread... We talked about my history, the RE looked at my charts, set up an appointment for a saline hystogram, and outlined a basic care plan. Then we met with the nurse, who gave us her contact info, answered other questions, etc. Last we met with a financial person who told us what our insurance covered (in our case, testing only) and the OOP costs for everything. If it had been the right cycle day, I think CD3-5, they would have done the quick vag cam, but it wasn't any of those days so I just called on my next CD1 to set up a separate appointment for that. Good luck! I definitely liked feeling we were actually doing something to move forward.