When I first started reading TTC blogs, I was really interested in the financial burdens taken on by those who have trouble conceiving. I am not sure what to make of it; in real life (as opposed to blog-life) my bff had her bicornate uterus reshaped, paid over $20,000 for that surgery, and now has 3 healthy children. She took out a second mortgage on her house, and today sits in a bit of financial trouble with the collapse of the housing market and the stress in her marriage. Others attempt IVF and pay, out of pocket, some $12,000 to $16,000 per cycle. One friend had success, two still haven't and have since put their dreams on the side due to the cost. All three couples struggle with marital issues related to money, loss, and the like.
I have always been very good at planning, saving money, retirement funds, etc. I wonder if I had imagined this TTC road in the past if I would have set aside funds per month for an IF account. Knowing me, I probably would have, then spent it sometime in my mid-twenties on a really cool vacation.
I got the final confirmation about the insurance, and they finally completed the file. Paid. Woot. Here's the kicker. The total cost of surgery is $3700 to the RE ($1850 for lap, $1850 for hysteroscopy), and the hospital fee is $21,346.95. The insurance price is $844.90 for the RE (I am responsible for $309.49) and $6246.41 for the hospital (I am responsible for 10 percent of that).
Numbers confuse me; something about this doesn't add up, and although I ended up paying almost $1000 for this surgery, my sisters out there without insurance would be stuck with a $25,000 bill.
3 comments:
I will not go into further debt to have a child. I just don't think it would be fair to any of us.
It is sad that our dreams have to be deferred because of the almighty dollar.
We all need to somehow just get pregnant on our own to prove our doctors wrong and save ourselves money and heartache. A girl can dream...
Unbelievable. I'm already scared to get my bill after my surgery.
By the way, I see when your doc checked your tubes, your left was open but your right was blocked. This is probably a dumb question, but did he then UNblock the right tube during surgery??
Crazy. I am always amazed to read about how much it costs and how many marriages buckle under the pressure of that financial burden.
I've been in an IVF waiting room before across from couples who seem to hate each other. I just hope that the light at the end of the tunnel brings them back together. Yikes.
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