Hi, I'm new

~Mandy~ · 02-24-2008, 02:54 PM

Hi everyone I'm new here.

My name is Mandy. My husband and I have been trying to conceive our first since June 2007. After extensive testing we've been diagnosed with severe male factor infertility.

We are good candidates for IVF w/ ICSI.

We have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program health insurance and live in Kentucky.

When I called BCBS back in January I was told that they would not cover "anything" by the representitive who answered the phone. I said "ok" and haven't done anymore research until now.

Anyone else have this insurance who may be able to help me out??

Do we have any other options?

Thanks in advance for your help and advise!

~Mandy~

Me- 28
DH- 32
TTC # 1 since 6/07

YOUTHA77 · 02-26-2008, 12:29 PM

Welcome Mandy, I do not have any advise for you I wish I did

I have no insur cov for infertility and feel your pain. I also live in Ky

Who is your RE?

**BC-eli** · 02-26-2008, 05:47 PM

Mandy,
I am a federal employee but live in NY. I used to have BC/BS and you're right, they covered almost nothing. I switched to GHI federal plan and got 3 IVFs and 3 FETs covered. They also covered unlimited IUIs up to a certain age- maybe about 45ish.
We have a number of health plans to choose from at my job and GHI was the only one that had this great benefit. Good luck!

~Mandy~ · 02-27-2008, 03:07 PM

WOW! I wonder if my husband has a choice of health care plans too??? I'll have to find out ASAP!

I will bet that after switching plans we'd have to wait a while to start IVF but if it's covered it's worth it. Will they still cover it since DH was diagnosed prior to being covered?

YOUTHA77... Well we don't exactly have one. We've only gone to Bluegrass Fertility Center for the S/As but never seen the doctor. We are trying to make that decision now. Who do you see?

By the way... thanks so much for your responses!!!

**BC-eli** · 02-27-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Mandy~

WOW! I wonder if my husband has a choice of health care plans too??? I'll have to find out ASAP!

I will bet that after switching plans we'd have to wait a while to start IVF but if it's covered it's worth it. Will they still cover it since DH was diagnosed prior to being covered?

YOUTHA77... Well we don't exactly have one. We've only gone to Bluegrass Fertility Center for the S/As but never seen the doctor. We are trying to make that decision now. Who do you see?

By the way... thanks so much for your responses!!!

Yes, they will still cover it even if he was diagnosed before the coverage started. I was already infertile before I found health insurance coverage. I had to pay for my early treatments (five IUIs and 1 IVF) out of pocket --- luckily I got pg. But during that time, I found GHI covered IVF so I switched in anticipation of ttc #2. You can only switch during FEHB open season which is in the fall. The plan will then go into effect with the new year and you will be covered immediately. At this point, we're talking about switching in fall of 08 and then benefits kicking in in January of 09. Good luck! Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you.

~Mandy~ · 02-28-2008, 02:36 PM

I had my husband ask at work and they said that there are several plans from which to choose. Given this new information I'm going to have him get some more info on what they are.

After all of this waiting the last thing I want to do is wait another year but if it saves us that much money we may just do it!

thanks for the GREAT information!!!

Blakey · 03-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Hey Mandy!
Good luck with investigating the ins. info!!

I am from MA, and although I have heard from many MA is a mandated state for IVF, it's not for all! DH and I have paid out of pocket for everything! We have spent thousands of $$$ over the past few years, with 4 iuis, and 3 IVF cycles. We too, have BCBS the ppo plan- it doesn't cover any treatments (that is just soooo wrong!!!)- it does cover some of the b/w and u/s monitoring, and a little of the meds (but not the big stuff, like gonal-F, or follistin)- We will be forced to stop soon, because we can't afford any more cycles. I am in the middle of a cycle right now..and am hoping and praying this will be it!

All the best to you....hang in there!!!

02-24-2008, 02:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
~Mandy~ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3	Hi, I'm new Hi everyone I'm new here. My name is Mandy. My husband and I have been trying to conceive our first since June 2007. After extensive testing we've been diagnosed with severe male factor infertility. We are good candidates for IVF w/ ICSI. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program health insurance and live in Kentucky. When I called BCBS back in January I was told that they would not cover "anything" by the representitive who answered the phone. I said "ok" and haven't done anymore research until now. Anyone else have this insurance who may be able to help me out?? Do we have any other options? Thanks in advance for your help and advise! ~Mandy~ Me- 28 DH- 32 TTC # 1 since 6/07

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02-26-2008, 12:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
YOUTHA77 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: united states Posts: 120	Welcome Mandy, I do not have any advise for you I wish I did I have no insur cov for infertility and feel your pain. I also live in Ky Who is your RE?

02-26-2008, 05:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
BC-eli 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY Posts: 25,244 Blog Entries: 278	Mandy, I am a federal employee but live in NY. I used to have BC/BS and you're right, they covered almost nothing. I switched to GHI federal plan and got 3 IVFs and 3 FETs covered. They also covered unlimited IUIs up to a certain age- maybe about 45ish. We have a number of health plans to choose from at my job and GHI was the only one that had this great benefit. Good luck!

02-27-2008, 03:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
~Mandy~ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3	WOW! I wonder if my husband has a choice of health care plans too??? I'll have to find out ASAP! I will bet that after switching plans we'd have to wait a while to start IVF but if it's covered it's worth it. Will they still cover it since DH was diagnosed prior to being covered? YOUTHA77... Well we don't exactly have one. We've only gone to Bluegrass Fertility Center for the S/As but never seen the doctor. We are trying to make that decision now. Who do you see? By the way... thanks so much for your responses!!!

02-28-2008, 02:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
~Mandy~ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3	I had my husband ask at work and they said that there are several plans from which to choose. Given this new information I'm going to have him get some more info on what they are. After all of this waiting the last thing I want to do is wait another year but if it saves us that much money we may just do it! thanks for the GREAT information!!!

03-01-2008, 12:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Blakey 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,647 Blog Entries: 5	Hey Mandy! Good luck with investigating the ins. info!! I am from MA, and although I have heard from many MA is a mandated state for IVF, it's not for all! DH and I have paid out of pocket for everything! We have spent thousands of $$$ over the past few years, with 4 iuis, and 3 IVF cycles. We too, have BCBS the ppo plan- it doesn't cover any treatments (that is just soooo wrong!!!)- it does cover some of the b/w and u/s monitoring, and a little of the meds (but not the big stuff, like gonal-F, or follistin)- We will be forced to stop soon, because we can't afford any more cycles. I am in the middle of a cycle right now..and am hoping and praying this will be it! All the best to you....hang in there!!!