Infertility Clinic?

cmwhitecmwhite Posts: 3
in Single Mothers by Choice
Hello. I am a single 31 year old female that has never been married and no children. I've been talking with my doctor about this option and asked about getting ahold of a OBGYN. She told me that she nor the OBGYN does this kind of procedure (per my health insurance) and that I would have to go to an infertility clinic. This bothers me - I am not infertile, just going about getting pregnant a different way. And going to the infertility clinic is not covered by insurance. I advised my doctor that I was planning on doing this procedure at home (since I was advised that it is not that difficult) and I just needed to have a form signed by my doctor to be able to purchase the sperm. I'm wondering if anyone has had this issue? I also am wondering how hard the pre-insemination stuff (i.e. ovulation tracking and what ever else is involved...I'm still learning) is, and if I can do it all myself?

Any suggestions or help would be great! Thank you so much and good luck to all of you in this wonderful and amazing step in life!

Comments

  • leiatleiat Posts: 29
    I am not infertile either. But I need my own child without the 21 years of dealing with the dad.

    Some RE clinics are covered by insurance ..maybe your insurance does not cover it. My insurance covers the visits and medcations/injections but not the actual vials of semen.

    You should still get the HSG to make sure your tubes are clear.
  • cmwhitecmwhite Posts: 3
    Thank you for answering and your suggestions! I'll definitely look into both of those!
  • ryanhlryanhl Posts: 116
    cmwhite,
    Hey I'm 36 & I go to a Fertility Clinic. I don't have any diagnosed issues, but they help me with my IUI's using donor sperm. Insurance doesn't cover the IUI ($375) but mine covers the office visits & ultrasounds & other tests & some meds with a copay. I agree that you should get HSG to make sure your tubes are clear. I wish you the best of luck!!!!
  • mimibethmimibeth Posts: 35
    CM White,

    There are no fertility clinics within hours from where I live. I just started asking friends to inquire to their own OB/GYN about this procedure. One of my friends said her dr would charge me $100 each IUI. Another friend her doctor offered to do it free. My own GYN offered to do it free. I chose my friends dr because he consistently works until about 9pm so hopefully he will be at work when I need the IUI's. After meeting him twice, he said to phone his cell if I need IUI after hours or on weekend. I am sure he finds a way to bill my insurance for something, but who knows. He said he figures he will make enough money off of me and my insurance if he helps me get pregnant.

    I recommend you phoning drs offices and asking friends to check with their doctors. There are doctors out there with that same perspective. I am not naive enough to think he is just some amazingly kind man, but my friend has used him for a dr for the past 22 years, since she was about 16. So, that could have had something to do with it.

    Good luck.
  • danimoni70danimoni70 Posts: 19
    CM White,

    I do understand your hesitation of going to an infertility clinic when you're not infertile. In order to go forth with my insemination, I have to go through the same process as you. I had my first meeting with the fertility doctor this week and the meeting was so amazing. The people were nice, professional and informative. They made me feel very much at ease and shared that what I'm planning to do is very common for single women in my metropolitan area.

    All states appear to work very different. For starters, I need to visit with a social worker prior to going forth with my IUI. As explained by the social worker, it's done to provide me with answers, lead me to support groups--other single women who are going through this etc. It's not to evaluate me or my decision.

    Next, I am going forth with the HSG test and other genetic testing. The fertility clinic also has a financial specialist who will let me know exactly how much my insurance will cover. I do know that my IUI's are not covered by insurance and it will cost $245 with each insemination.

    I'm not sure exactly where you live, but if you live in the Washington, DC area--I recommend Shady Grove Infertility Clinic. I know all of this can appear to be scary and so very technical too. However, the end result is a new life, a beautiful baby....it's all worth it!

    Best of luck!
  • MistyandCarlaMistyandCarla Posts: 720
    I felt the same way about going to see a RE, but it's just the process that gets us to where we want to go.

    As for insurance...I called mine and asked if they covered a RE and they said that they do not cover an "infertility diagnosis". I knew that I didn't have infertility issues so they suggested that I call the RE and get the diagnosis codes that they use for each billing. I called them back with the codes and they said that they cover everything except the actual sperm and IUI. But they covered the office visits and ultrasounds and all of my blood work. (I didn't need meds so I don't know about that) So, I suggest you do this too.

    I am now 9 weeks pregnant...I got a BFP on my first IUI. Do a search for my previous posts and you'll see all of the things that I did prior to the IUI...you may find something that will help you. Good luck.

    Misty and Carla
  • beatrice00beatrice00 Posts: 16
    Cmwhite, in my opinion it's better to go to a fertility clinic because most cycles require monitoring, especially if you are medicated. A regular doctor's office might not be open the days that you'll need to have ultrasounds, blood tests or IUIs. Fertility clinics should be open and staffed 7 days a week. Also, insurance pays the same amount for ultrasounds and blood work if you go to a Gyn or an RE, so might as well go to the specialist.

    Good luck.
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