Today I paid $741 to have my blood drawn at my local Lab.corp. I have to laugh, lest I cry. Actually, I did both. At the same time.
The past-due bill was another, timely, reminder of the second Pregnancy Gone Horribly Wrong. Remember how we were uninsured Way Back When? My balance is a reflection of those E2/P4/Beta blood draws taken over a year ago. Those bills, along with a few others of the $7000 D&C,
And since I needed bloodwork today, well, they got paid. Not with any particular relish, mind you -- but money is money and I'm sure they could care less about how grudgingly I gave it to them.
The good news is that now we DO have insurance, and they will be billed for all my bloodwork henceforth. I have no idea if they'll actually cover it (please, please, please do), but in the meantime it saves us several hundred dollars in upfront costs. (Remember, my local fertility clinic refuses to bill my insurance at all -- even for covered procedures -- and each blood draw costs $85 a piece.)
Other than that, things are progressing as expected. AF arrived right on schedule and the clinic in Dallas should be calling me tomorrow with my E2 results and my actual dates to start stims. I'll be doing 2-3 monitoring appointments at the local clinic (grrrr) next week, then it's back to Dallas for our final appointments, retrieval, and transfer.
I can hardly believe it -- but we're about 3 weeks away from the end of this cycle. Here's hoping there's some light at the end of the tunnel!
I hate, hate, hate insurance. When I look at my statements and noticed that someone who doesn't have insurance is actually charged more than someone who is insured, well...how can that be??
ReplyDeleteHere's to that light at the end of the tunnel that you absolutely deserve.
The money involved in all of this just pisses me off!!! And, nothing is worse than the money involved in the loss of a child. It just shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteWishing you luck!!
Sending you all the light in the world, Jo!
ReplyDeleteI HATE the money part of IF - so completely unfair. That sucks you had to pay it, but I'm very excited for you that you're starting this cycle!!!
ReplyDeleteThe financial part of IVF is the worst. And it seems like little hidden fees are everywhere!!! Wishing you all the best for this cycle! Can't believe it is already stim time!
ReplyDeleteOur medical system needs a major overhaul. Our neighbors had to put off much needed house renovations because she suffered a mc. The worse thing is that they charged them over 6 grand, and all the doctor did was check her once, said "yup, you lost the baby" and then sent her home. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteYeah for stims! Those 3 weeks will fly by.
The costs involved with all this are just crazy. Glad you have insurance now...at least there is a chance costs will be covered.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with stims! Fingers crossed for you!
Did they draw your blood with a platinum needle?
ReplyDeleteBoo on medical bills, but yay for being in the game!