Federal emplyee health benefits coverage for IVF/embryo transfer

[Anonymous]

My husband just started as a federal employee in the State of MD (which is also where we live). I am 40 and have several frozen embryos in another state, which I plan to transfer in the out-of-state clinic in Oct. We are now trying to choose a health insurance provider for our family through opm.gov. Any insight on a provider that would cover out of state IVF/FET? Alternatively, any providers that have good coverage for acupuncture and/or mental health (both of which go hand in hand with infertility . TIA!!!

[Anonymous]

No federal health insurance plans for employees that live in Maryland cover ivf. You can try to sign up for a marketplace plan (Obamacare), but I don't believe any will cover out of state (Kaiser requires sgf and I don't believe BCBS covers out of network (out of the dmv area) anymore)

[Anonymous]

Nothing for federal employees but you could try a private carefirst plan.

[Anonymous]

None, unfortunately

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the responses. Any that will cover acupuncture/ mental health? We are already paying so much for IVF!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the responses. Any that will provide good coverage for acupuncture/ mental health? We are already paying so much for IVF!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much for the responses. Any that will provide good coverage for acupuncture/ mental health? We are already paying so much for IVF!

As pp mentioned try https://secure.marylandhealthconnection.gov "Get an estimate" to see how much are plans with Carefirst. Their coverage is really good. If you qualify for enrollment under a qualifying event you can enroll for yourself even if your spouse takes the federal insurance (which is probably lower premium with no infertility coverage).

[Anonymous]

I'm on Carefirst plan in MD through private insurance. I get 10 sessions of acupuncture for $30 a session and since my therapist in network, I don't have a co-pay for her.

[Anonymous]

Shady Grove will honor the negotiated rate of a FET if you have the Aetna plan- making a FET $2500 instead of like $5k.

[Anonymous]

FEPBlue standard plan covers 26 sessions of acupuncture at $13/session. They're better than most for mental health coverage too, but it's hard to find mental health providers around here who take insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FEPBlue standard plan covers 26 sessions of acupuncture at $13/session. They're better than most for mental health coverage too, but it's hard to find mental health providers around here who take insurance.[/quote

Whoa that's awesome, I'm the PP on a private plan, but moving to this plan next year, glad to see they have acupuncture coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shady Grove will honor the negotiated rate of a FET if you have the Aetna plan- making a FET $2500 instead of like $5k.

I was a SG patient and I can confirm this. But, if I remember correctly that's only for single procedures (Each FET, each retrieval). We paid for a package with up to two retrievals and unlimited FETs for up to one live birth, and it was a way better deal than 2x the Aetna rate. The Shared Risk (everything unlimited and all your money back with no baby) is also a better deal, if you think there is a good chance it won't work at all.

My DH picked me up on his Aetna policy for half a year at like $200 a month to have the Aetna option, and we didn't even end up using it. So, just something to think about.