Federal health insurance and abortion.

[Anonymous]

OP here. PP, I also previously had a D&C performed for reasons of ending the pregnancy and my ob did mine in the hospital as well. All I owed was a small co-pay. Your doctor should have done the same thing. 5k is a lot to pay for such a short procedure. I felt my own doctor that I've trusted for years would be better and safer than a planned parenthood setting.

[Anonymous]

Why should insurance pay for an elective procedure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: OP here. PP, I also previously had a D&C performed for reasons of ending the pregnancy and my ob did mine in the hospital as well. All I owed was a small co-pay. Your doctor should have done the same thing. 5k is a lot to pay for such a short procedure. I felt my own doctor that I've trusted for years would be better and safer than a planned parenthood setting.

To be fair, LIVID had a complicated procedure at after 20 weeks. That doesn't compare to the "quick" D&C for under 12 weeks. It's a dangerous procedure as well.

[Anonymous]

LIVID here. No, the anencephaly was discovered early at 11 weeks. It was not complicated and I could have gone to PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why should insurance pay for an elective procedure?

Because it's only elective if you have an unusually cruel definition of that word.

[Anonymous]

LIVID and others - it's the Hyde Amendment.

And this thread gives me another chance to thank LIVID for turning what must have been a horrible experience for her and her family into an opportunity to attempt to help others.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

My private insurance policy covers elective abortion. It counts against the deductible, which is $500, meaning that going to Planned Parenthood would be cheaper anyway.

I agree that $475 is not a "small fee", but when compared to what you would pay in a hospital, it's fairly small.

[Anonymous]

LIVID, was it too late for the abortion pill?

[Anonymous]

LIVID here. I have no idea if it was too late. I was 11 weeks along. The pull was never ever mentioned.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The pill can only be taken up to nine weeks of pregnancy but in some states, they limit taking the abortion pill at 63 days LMP. Has anyone taken the abortion pill??

[Anonymous]

I had a missed miscarriage, treated with misoprostal. Worked great for me. I also have had a D&C for the same reason, and much preferred the medical method.

[Anonymous]

PP, my ob/gyn can't prescribe misoprostal because his liability policy won't allow it. It's too regulated. Did you obtain it from a clinic or hospital setting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can easily get an abortion in dc for a small fee and you can get financial aid if you cannot afford it. Most OBs won't perform an abortion and your best bet is to go to an abortoion specialist.

Prices and Payment Information

Price ranges for our abortion services are:

abortion pill (medication abortion) - $475
in-clinic abortion
4-11 weeks - $425
12-13 weeks - $475
14 weeks - $525
15 weeks - $600
16-19 weeks - $700-1075
sedation - IV medication - $100
sedation - oral medication - Included in price
medication if you are Rh negative - $40-100
post-abortion follow-up exam - Included in price
abortion patient education - Included in price
Some services may have additional charges for lab and blood work

Abortion services may be covered by your insurance. If you want to use your insurance, please be sure to bring in your insurance information at the time of your visit.

Medicaid accepted.

If you are uninsured, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for your procedure. You can confidentially find out if you qualify by calling us at 202.347.8512. If you are eligible for financial assistance, you may be asked to bring documentation with you to the health center.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=3273#!service=abortion

$475 is NOT a small fee.

Well on the opposite side the average baby co-pays for birth is about 2k.

[Anonymous]

LIVID, it is good to hear from you again. I've thought about you from time to time. I'm also a federal worker, so I'd have been in the same boat as you if I ever needed an abortion.

I find the rules on this to be really invasive and discriminatory. After having my 2nd child, I had extended bleeding that was still going strong at my 6 week check up. The bleeding was so heavy, the doctor sent me for an immediate ultrasound, where they discovered some retained placenta. I was scheduled for a D&C the next day. I remember as I was getting ready for the surgery, a nurse came by and told me I had to take a pregnancy test. I was like "There is no way I'm pregnant. I had a baby 6 weeks ago and haven't even had sex!" She was adamant though, and said my insurance required confirmation that I was not pregnant before they would cover the D&C. Even though there the ultrasound showed the retained placenta (and no pregnancy). I was already in my hospital gown and had to shuffle over to the bathroom to pee in a cup - bleeding the whole way. It was humiliating. Absolutely humiliating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: PP, my ob/gyn can't prescribe misoprostal because his liability policy won't allow it. It's too regulated. Did you obtain it from a clinic or hospital setting?

Shady Grove Fertility, in MD -- just my regular doctor's office; it was filled at a regular pharmacy. That's a shame that it's so highly regulated, because it was about a thousand times easier on my body and my soul than the hospital D&C I had.

This stuff makes me spit with rage. LIVID, please add my thanks for sharing your story. It's shameful that you had to go through that in order to get medical care.