Anonymous
Post 09/22/2010 11:41     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
"If you get the 4% raise they are expecting to give, and put in $5,000, you won't feel that pain so much. "

4% raise????




Anonymous
Post 09/22/2010 11:38     Subject: Re:Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
PP 8:56 Bear in mind that there really isn't a need to buy your drugs separately with MD IPA. The drugs are covered as a part of your IVF. If you are doing IUI, that is a different story and I have no idea if the drugs are covered. Your costs are around 3900 for the procedure (probably a bit less without ICSI) and 175-200 for the drug copays.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2010 11:37     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
I have to say I am surprised when people say BC/BS federal covers monitoring or drugs during IUI or IVF. I have been told that it does not. Now it covered monitoring when I took Clomid and during diagnosis. It also covered the Clomid. But Shady Grove made it very clear to us that in our upcoming natural IUI cycle, BC/BS will NOT cover monitoring should it become necessary.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2010 11:34     Subject: Re:Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
I did the same thing last year. I paid around 200 in copays with BC/BS federal.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2010 08:56     Subject: Re:Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Can anyone tell me how much they paid for one round of IVF drugs (ballpark) with BC/BS Standard Federal Plan? I think I am going to buy my drugs in the fall and switch to an HMO during open season that will cover 50% of the procedure.
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2010 16:41     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Anonymous wrote:Great info everyone. Okay, who can comment in detail about Aetna's coverage? Costs, etc. I heard it was more difficult to get precertified through them.


I am getting ready to start my third cycle with Aetna. I am the PP who got their meds through BCBS before swicthing to Aetna, so I can speak with regards to getting your meds. It was very easy to get precertified. My first cycle was in January, and they are super busy then, so that was a little harder, but if you called first thing in the morning you stand a better chance of talking to someone. Everyone I talk to at Aetna has been so helpful. We received certification right away, our issue is MFI and we have been trying for years, so it was pretty clear cut. I did not respond well to my last cycle and was able to switch to a covered IUI one day before trigger with out issue. Each cycle has cost us about $3800 and that included ICSI. We are with CFA.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2010 08:53     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
So far, with BCBS Federal, it has covered the baseline ultrasound/office visit and the first ultrasound/office visit, in addition to the blood work done both times (less our copayments). I do not know yet about the 2nd and 3rd ultrasounds/offfice visits. I would imagine that they are being picked up.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2010 19:32     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Great info everyone. Okay, who can comment in detail about Aetna's coverage? Costs, etc. I heard it was more difficult to get precertified through them.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2010 16:19     Subject: Re:Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
I've had MDIPA through 2 pregnancies and 2 IVF cycles and overall, had very few problems. They are by far the cheapest option of the Federal plans for IVF coverage and I actually found SG to be helpful in getting all required pre-certifications, etc.

I also did not have any problems with MDIPA for maternity coverage, although I did have 2 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies so I can't speak for the coverage for complications. I paid 1 $35 co-pay for all pre-natal visits (not each visit, but one co-pay at the first visit), and then I think my hospital delivery and newborn stay co-pay was close to $400. I think I also paid a co-pay for the 20 week ultrasound and the nuchal fold screening.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2010 15:32     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Anonymous wrote:I've been following this thread as I try to make a similar decision about federal plans and have one concern. I've heard that actual prenatal care under MDIPA isn't very good and you can end up paying as much as you save for IVF if you have any complications during pregnancy. Has anyone done a cost analysis of paying for IVF with BCBS or switching to MDIPA and then having it for prenatal care/delivery?



I've been reading through my MDIPA booklet -the only thing that looks applicable to high-risk pregnancy would be the $35 co-pay per specialist visit. Having dealt with MDIPA for IVF, I will say that you need everything pre-authorized. Once that is done, out of pocket costs are certainly within reason (and sometimes cheaper than other plans). BUT -you have got to be diligent on making sure every test, every doctor you see, etc. is covered specifically under your pre-authorization. Be prepared for someone in some office somewhere to screw this up at some point...

Here's my take: I'm the poster who's done IVF with BCBS (i.e. you are basically fronting the cost of IVF yourself) and now MDIPA. Maternity care with BCBS was a breeze when I was finally pregnant with #1, and I liked not having to precertify anything. On the flipside, multiple cycles of IVF add up super quickly. Having dealt with both scenarios, I think MDIPA (though much more of a hassle) will be cheaper in the long run. That being said, if I find myself through a first trimester at open enrollment time, I will switch back to BCBS...it does make maternity care simpler.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2010 12:59     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
I've been following this thread as I try to make a similar decision about federal plans and have one concern. I've heard that actual prenatal care under MDIPA isn't very good and you can end up paying as much as you save for IVF if you have any complications during pregnancy. Has anyone done a cost analysis of paying for IVF with BCBS or switching to MDIPA and then having it for prenatal care/delivery?
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2010 12:02     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like such a toss up between BCBS and MDIPA. BCBS has awesome drug coverage, but no procedure coverage, while MDIPA is just the opposite. I've never had an HMO either, so that is scary too. I talked to the SG finanical counseler today and she was pushing toward the BCBS vs. MDIPA. Maybe open season will bring some good surprises. You would think with so many Fed plans to choose from, ONE would really stand out in this area.


I am confused - I see them as opposites as MDIPA covers all drug benefits (at least for IVF). I found them much cheaper and better.


Agreed -out of pocket for drugs, I am paying $200 in co-pays under MDIPA...not to mention the cost of the IVF is $3900 with ICSI...when I did IVF with BCBC standard, I paid the same for drugs, and completely out of pocket (around $10K I think) for the IVF process.

In my experience with both plans, MDIPA is much, much cheaper.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2010 11:40     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Anonymous wrote:It seems like such a toss up between BCBS and MDIPA. BCBS has awesome drug coverage, but no procedure coverage, while MDIPA is just the opposite. I've never had an HMO either, so that is scary too. I talked to the SG finanical counseler today and she was pushing toward the BCBS vs. MDIPA. Maybe open season will bring some good surprises. You would think with so many Fed plans to choose from, ONE would really stand out in this area.


I am confused - I see them as opposites as MDIPA covers all drug benefits (at least for IVF). I found them much cheaper and better.
Anonymous
Post 09/02/2010 20:11     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
Does anyone know if you use up your 3 cycles under your spouse's fed insurance, then can you get your own under the same company but under your own name and federal insurance? we're both feds..we're coming up on our 3rd cycle with MDIPA..the insurance is in his name right now, but during open season, I can get my own under me..do I get another 3 tries? Or would I have to switch to another carrier altogether?
Anonymous
Post 09/01/2010 22:33     Subject: Federal Health Plans & IVF coverage
(It is BCBS-Fed)- sorry for the omission.