MDIPA v. Kaiser v. Aetna for IVF

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am very last minutes. But we just found out I might need IVF and are within the open period for federal employees. I've searched the archieves and it looks like people prefer MDIPA to Aetna given the high cost of drugs under Aetna's pharmacy for fertility treatments.

Like MDIPA and Aetna, Kaiser also appears to pay 50% of IVF services but I haven't seen a discussion of them.

What's best: MDIPA or Kaiser, for fertility? I plan to use Shady Grove if we go forward.

[Anonymous]

help!!

[Anonymous]

Hi,

We're in a similar situation trying to decide which plan to choose knowing that we'll be trying IVF next year. There are very few posts that I can find about Kaiser so we went with MDIPA for a couple reasons:

1. With MDIPA, we still get to choose our doctors. With Kaiser, you have to switch to their doctors. This allows some sense of normalness being able to keep our general doctors and ob, etc.
2. MDIPA premiums are really expensive, but most of the posts I've read recommend them. As for the cost, well--isn't this why we work and save money? If you're not willing to spend some money now, what happens for the 18 years you have to support a child?
3. Aetna has one little word in the IVF section--the word AND. We have unexplained infertility, so I'm worried Aetna would deny our claim for IVF.

[Anonymous]

Thanks... after all this, I realized I can't use an HMO (we're overseas). I can't believe I have to do this, but I am now researching drug coverage under non-HMO plans so at least we'll only have to pay for the procedure out of pocket.

I did some fastidious reserach, for what it's worth, and concluded MDIPA was the best option as well... for what it's worth.