Question...if my husband is on his own plan, when he has to give his sample and all, does his plan cover it, or would it all be me because I am the ivf patient? He has to pick a plan too, so just wondering...

Dang, oh well. Here's hoping we won't need three cycles...sigh (but it's hard not to worry).

But I still am confused about the OOP for the cycle if it's 50%, but I guess I'll find out. And it doesn't count towards your annual OOP max - IVF is not included in that, unfortunately, according to the brocure anyway

a friend Sarah Kelber takes GORGEOUS pictures (she works for the Baltimore Sun and takes photography on the side). I've always assumed if we were lucky enough to get pregnant, we'd use her. She even took some of our favorite wedding pics (she just brought her camera).

http://www.sarahkelberphotography.com/

(I guess she uses FB to post a lot more these days: https://www.facebook.com/SarahKelberPhotography )


Love her. And since she's not IN DC, she's GOT to be cheaper than some of the people in the city - who are really expensive.

I have a question about self vs self plus family.
I just changed to MD IPA because we have to do IVF. I signed up for self because it is still cheaper to sign up for two self plans (husband is also a fed).

If we are fortunate enough to have IVF work (sigh), will the newborn NOT be covered if I only have self? I thought there was a 30 day window - they have to be added to your insurance within 30 days of birth. Is this not the case?

I gather I can still change if needed since it's still open season if you all say it's not worth doing self only.

Maybe just let her handle their nosey questions, but in advance let her know that you appreciate her confidence in her trials/tribulations and support her. And that if she needs "back up" to distract, you'll help as best you can?

To me, being TOO aware of it might make her feel more awkward. My MIL is the same way, and my PERFECT SIL is pregnant with what you'd think is the second coming. I kept telling myself that I can't take it the wrong way because my MIL doesn't know we're starting IVF (that I know if, my DH has said he hasn't told her).

It's sweet to think of her feelings, but that would be my tactic.

21:12 - that's intereasting, I'm changing to MD IPA and I thought that your "max out of pocket" did not include fertility - maybe that's a change for 2013?

I got a sheet from GW about the expected cost on each insurance plan, and they quoted me about $4500 before meds with MD IPA (the difference without meds between MD IPA and Aetna was insignificant).

Is that not how it works - maybe that's their negotiated rate with the companies and I pay 1/2 that?

If IVF counts towards your max out of pocket, does that mean you then pay nada for maternity care out of pocket? Or is that something different?

One more MD IPA question for you veterans: if I'm on self only, and then need to do more than 3 IVFs, can my husband sign up for self+ family next year and then my cycles be covered, or is that it?

sorry for these ?s - I've never really needed insurance until now. Glad MD IPA is an option, I guess!

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Sending a warm hug your way, and I hope you and your partner get through this in a healthy way. Hugs.

Totally agree....I think they could help you if you specifically wanted stem cell donation though.

Isn't that science, though? Fertility research has to be done somehow I gather.

Anonymous wrote:

PP here: Does GW really have an option to give to research? We were with Columbia and have not had any success with any inquiry into donating them to science. I wonder could someone at GW help us?

I believe so -it was in the huge packet of info, you check a box that if they don't hear from you about what you want to do with your embryos for 5 years (including you just want to store em), they'll donate them to science.

I am sure they can give you more specific info.

Also agree that many can't afford DE cycles, so embryo adoption would help a lot of people.

I'm not yet - end of December would be when I start BCPs (or my cycle after this one).

Even if you are IVF/IUI or whatnot, do you still chart?

I'm still charting, but I'm wondering if it's a total waste of time at this point?

I've learned that I'm not as "regular" as I thought - I "O" between the 12th and 18th day - not sure it's normal to vary that much - but I'm just wondering if charting does a disservice in IVF (creates stress?).

PP: Did you have any cycle successful at GW...?

Anonymous wrote:
This is so good. Brilliant response. I wish I had this response when my son was a baby. He is bi-racial (African Am/White) and I was always amazed by the rudeness of strangers. Right in the middle of Giant, I was asked "Is he mixed?" Or once while walking down the sidewalk I was asked, "Is he mulatto?"

My parent's former neighbors - a lovely couple, interracial with three gorgeous kids - had one of these experiences. She was in the market with her baby girl and someone asked, "She's beautiful! Where did you get her?"

She said, "my husband".

While I'm not in this situation yet, one of the things that keeps me feeling good about all the IVF stuff we'll be going through in a couple of months (wow, like 6 weeks at this point...oy vey!) is that if we are successful, I can donate the embryos to people in need - I'm not one to think of them as "life", per se (but again, that might change when I go through it all and I don't begrudge anyone for feeling they are life), I am hoping our cycle is successful so we can help others as well.

That, and GW has an option to donate to research, which is something my husband very much wants to do.

I hope you can help people regardless of how you choose, and congrats on your successful IVF outcomes!