insurance Q?

[anonymous]

I was wondering if anyone is on kaiser insurance? I want to do IVF and kaiser pays for a one time shot. I have tricare through the military but they dont cover it. I was just wondering if they will accept me knowing that i have cf and cfrd??? thanks....

Cariann 20 honolulu w/cf cfrd

 

[anonymous]

Cariann,

I am not sure who told you that tricare won't cover infertility drugs but they are wrong!
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricarehandbook/results.cfm?tn=41&cn=8
">http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricarehandbook/results.cfm?tn=41&cn=8
</a>
Chapter No. 8 - What's Covered
Family Planning


TRICARE Covers:

" Infertility diagnosis and treatment. (Remember, TRICARE Standard does not cover the active duty sponsor.)--CARIANN, THIS INCLUDES EGG STIMULATING MEDICATIONS AND SUCH, ALTHOUGH THEY WON'T PAY FOR IVF-YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING THIS THROUGH AN INFERTILITY CLINIC IN THE MILITARY AND OUR IVF FEE IS ONLY $5600 AND IT INCLUDES EMBRYO FREEZING. AS FAR AS I KNOW WASHINGTON (AT MCCORD AIR FORCE BASE) AND SAN DIEGO (AT NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER-BALBOA HOSPITAL) HAVE IVF CLINICS. IT ISN'T FREE, BUT IF KAISER ENDS UP DENYING IT, THIS IS ALWAYS AN OPTION.

" Intrauterine devices (IUDs).

" Measurement for, and purchase of, contraceptive diaphragms.

" Birth control pills (contraceptives) or injections your doctor prescribes.

" Norplant System long-term reversible contraceptive implants.

" Tests to find out if youre pregnant (not OTC self-tests).

" Sterilizationvasectomy or tubal ligation; check with your BCAC/HBA/TSC for limitations.

TRICARE Does Not Cover:

" Over-the-Counter contraceptives (birth control devices) such as prophylactics (condoms) and spermicidal foams.

" Surgery to reverse sterilization.

" Artificial inseminationincluding sperm banks/donors, in vitro fertilization, and other artificial means of conception or the medications used to support artificial insemination.

" Abortions

 

[anonymous]

Okay, I am going to Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Inst. in Oahu. Do you know, if I get the prescriptions for the med. at Pacific and take it to tripler hosp. (which is an army hosp.) Will they cover it? And also what about the blood tests that i need done do you think that they will cover them to?

You know what I think that we should all gang up on the insurance companies and tell them that its not fair to us and that we think that they should pay for it cause we never had a chance and alot of us cannot pay for IVF..... I am not sure how we are going to pay for it as of right now!!! The doc just told us that it would be around 11,700 for everything!!! Youch... ANd I dont even have a job and my hubby is only an e3 in the marines!!! I hope, actually it will happen but it is going to be a struggle!!!!

Cariann 20 oahu w/cf cfrd

 

[anonymous]

you should visit a website called inciid (google it) they have pleanty of tools for advocating for infertility coverage, and even help you track down your congress people. I have written over 80 letters to the state of CA and WA urging fertility coverage, the inciid website even gives and example letter.

Mark and I take a lot of the RX that we get from his civilian urologist (for the IVF) and take it to his doctor at the military hospital. Then they put the RX in through the military, tricare pays for the RX and they don't know the difference. The same thing should work for blood tests, just talk to your PCM (or CF doctor if you have one at the military hospital) and let them know what is going on and ask them if they would be willing to work with you on this. Then it will just be your responsibility to get the labs back to your other doctor.

Can I ask, why are you doing IVF as opposed to just trying some egg stimulating medicatons? Have you already tried that, because if you haven't I would surely recommend it. Or are you going to have someone be a surrogate for you?

Julie (wife to mark 24 w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

Cariann, I thought this might perk you interest as well. It doesn't apply to tricare because tricare is a government based insurance company. But if you are working in one of the states where infertility coverage is to be offered or covered, it might be of interest to you.

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.repromedix.com/pdf/Mandated_Insurance_Coverage.pdf">http://www.repromedix.com/pdf/Mandated_Insurance_Coverage.pdf</a>

 

[anonymous]

Also, I keep forgetting to ask you, are you in the Exceptional Family member program? I too know the difficulities of trying to budget for this, I don't make very much and I am putting my husband through school right now so we are being supported on just my income-which isn't a lot. Do the two of you live in base housing in HI or do you live out in town? Just kind of curious about those things.


Julie

 

[anonymous]

HI Julie,
My sister is going to carry our baby for us!!! We live on AMR which is an army housing complex in honolulu. It is the same amount of BAH for all of the housing apartments. So we get $1698 for BAH and it takes all of it and we dont pay utilities or anything it is all included. We tried to move out in town to save some money off of BAH but the cost of living is ssoooo expensive over here and when we do find a good place they dont except dogs and i have two little pups!!! I just had my consoltation today and I saw my regular cf doc today because she wanted to talk to me about this whole situation! She thinks that I am to sick and that she doesnt think that the baby deserves to be raised with just one parent! And also, she thinks it will run me down to much. So, I need to talk to my hubby again and see where we stand! I really still want to do it but you know!! So now i am in a really hard spot. Thank you for always replying to my questions! You are very helpful. I am on tri care prime so i am not sure if i am on what you asked if i was on... Anyways I enjoy chatting with you.....

Cariann 20 honolulu w/cf cfrd

 

[anonymous]

Cariann, a doctor is required to give you her medical opinion and advice, but if she is giving you a hard time about this I think you should look into finding another doctor; although I am sure that's not an easy thing in HI. Have you referred her to hollycatheryn's site? It is not her choice who raises the baby (if something were to happen to you) and she should leave it at medical advice and MEDICAL recommendations. Luckly Mark and I haven't met resistance with a doctor about this topic, but if we did they would sure be sorry they brought it up because I'd let them have it and wouldn't stop until I felt satisified-but that's just me.
You need to do what you and your husband decide is right for you, forget the doctor. Especially since you aren't carrying the baby.


Julie

 

[anonymous]

Julie,
Yah that is what I told him even before we went to see her! I knew exactly what she was going to tell us!!! I can see her concerns, and yes that is a big probibility, but there are so many people in our family that would love to help out Rob. My sister would take it in an instant. So i mean Yah, I love my doc but this is something that I have always wanted since I was a little kid. So hopefully we can over come this and do it, we have a great opportunity and you know what, I have had so much negative in my life, i feel like it is time to do something positive!!!( I do have a wonderful husband and family and friends!!)

 

[anonymous]

If you have a good support system, and it is something both you and your husband really want; I say go for it. but of course it is ultimatlely your decision. there is always going to be the thoughts that "this isn't the right time, we don't have enough money, my health just isn't right, I'm not in shape" but you need to decide what YOU TWO want, not solely based on your doctors opinion, especially since you aren't even going to be carrying the baby and giving birth. Keep me updated, I'd love to hear how things go.

Julie

 

[anonymous]

Yah we kinda have a good support system except my mom and her side of the family. They keep telling my sister to not do it. Basically for the same reason that my doctor told me. I feel really bad right now because she called me tonight and told me about this and she really wants to do this but then there are those feelings from everyone about this subject and she feels sick to her stomache... She really wants to do this for me. She feels like she needs to do this for me it is something that i would never get unless she helps me and she really does. Everyone else is okay with it. My dad told me to tell everyone to f**K off (excuse my language!!!) And to follow my heart and he knows that is something that I really want and it is important.... He will support me anyway we decide to go... He also told me tonight that to not worry about the cost there will be a way, and it will happen... Dont worry about the money part!! So that is like a huge weight off of my shoulders!! I just hope what everyone is telling us that I am being selfish and not thinking about the childs best interest... Do you think I am??? I understand that it would be hard for the child but there are so many children that have gone through this and to know that i had alot of strength and never gave up on life and that i wanted to live life to the fullest and also that there is alot of family and friends that will take really good care of them and that mommy will be watching them from heaven. I have lots of things I want to do if we have a child, I want to start a diary and write letters and take pictures of things that I love. I just think that God will lead the way... And when he decides its time for me to come home, we will be ready for it.... (I am sorry if it sounds all gooshie and stuff!!) I Just fell that way and I guess i just had to let someone know about how i felt so thank you for listening... Oh yah Julie?, coming from my situation, that is kinda how i feel about this situation, you being on the other side of basically the same situation, how do you feel about this situation( if something were to take you husband away) and you being an only parent??? I just was curious!!! Do you mind me asking what your husbands FEV1 level is? you dont have to answer that question if you dont want but i was just curious to see where you guys stand.. Thanks again...

Cariann 20 honolulu w/cf cfrd

 

[anonymous]

I can't lie, it's been a thought of, "what would I do if something happened to Mark" but here's the truth about this situation. He could die tomorrow in a car crash, plane wreck, stray bullet... You never really know in life and there are NO guarantees of anything. I could die tomorrow, or next week, or in two years from any of those things. I live my life by this saying, "it is better to have loved then lost, to NEVER have loved at all" and although sometimes the comments and things people say can hurt, My husband and I have to make choices based on what we want in our future, not what anybody else thinks is right.
To whoever is making comments to you that they think you are selfish...and whatever else they might be saying. I really think they ought to look in the mirror, because you usually only see the flaws in others that you see in yourself. And nine times out of ten, they are just putting off on you what they see in themselves.
If you and your husband really want this, then do it.

Julie