What did you do first?

Hi ladies,

I've been lurking around for quite a while reading all the great support you give each other and though this may be good for me.

Question:  What testing did you have done with your Ob/Gyn before you went to a Fertility Specialist?

We have had my dh tested and I have done 6 rounds total of Clomid.  I ovulate on my own (I do OPK's and BBT, and have very regular AF).  My doctor has done no other testing.  Our insurance, of course, does not cover anything to do with Fertility Treatment.  

We have been trying to conceive for 2 1/2 years with a 6 month break due to medical reasons, but have not tried not to since we were married 9 years ago(just hoped it would just happen).  It is very very frustrating doing this every month.  Luckily I have a very supportive dh.

So, since all my testing is coming out of pocket, and I assume testing that can be done at regular doctor is cheaper than at the Fertility Specialist, which tests did you do before going to specialist?

(wrote question twice in case someone didn't want to read all the other stuff!!)

I am looking forward to the support this forum offers!!  Sorry for the babbling!!

[Lexima]

Hi, my insurance covers 15K on Fertility Treatment for lifetime.  

We've been ttc for 1 year before I switched to a new OBG/YN.  First test that he did and actually at our request is the PostCoital test(not sure if I'm spelling it right).  Basically we had sex and had to show up to his office within 6 hours.  That shows that your environment is hostal or not for the guests :).  This test was not covered by insruance and cost either $75 or $175, don't remember.

I was put on birth control for 2 months to see if restarting my cycle might help.  I didn't.  My husband got tested, got good results.  Before I was put on Clomid, my doctor sent me for one more test to check my tubes: Hysterosalpingogram.  Everything was ok there as well.   Did clomid for 6 months, no results.  Now I'm on my first cycle with injectable drugs.

[3d1kjjcs]

Thank you.

[ashort]

I really didn't do any testing with my OB.  I wasn't very fond of her.  I had one m/c and didn't get af till 14 weeks later.  During that time, I was worried so I saw an RE that my friend refered me to.  I got a panel of blood tests done by him and found out I am compound hetero. MTHFR.  I also had a watersono...dye injected into my uterus to see if I had any leftover tissue from my D and C.  Nothing was found.  My RE just put me on clomid 50 mg b/c I wasn't o'ing.  Were you monitored when you were on the clomid?  Did you get a shot of ovidrel?  My friend was on clomid for 2 months w/out monitoring and she never got pregnant until she was monitored.

[Helen72]

My obgyn actually specializes in infertility.  Perhaps you can find someone like that in your area.  Besides blood tests to check if I was ovulating and checking for cysts with ultrasound, I also did the dye test to check if my tubes are blocked. Both my tests and tests for my dh showed no problem although we have been ttc for 2 years with no success.  Next month I am doing laparoscopy: this is actually a surgery that checks for endometriosis.  If you have painful periods you may be at risk.  I don't have any pain with my AF but simply trying to eliminate all possible infertility causes.  My insurance pays for all tests and I am pretty sure that in my state all healthcare carriers must cover infertility.  I also know that some insurers do not cover infertility treatments but will cover infertility tests.  Perhaps your coverage will pay for some of your tests? Good luck to you!

[3d1kjjcs]

I was on 50mg  of Chlomid and not shots.  He didn't monitor while taking, I went back after 3 months, had me continue for another 3 months.  I now need to make another appointment, and just was trying to decide if I should just go to a RE because Insurance doesn't cover either way.

My normal Ob/Gyn was my family doctor, so after trying for 1 year, I went to a different clinic and specifically asked for someone who dealt with fertility.  That is the doctor who game me Chlomid, but he never did any testing and am almost positive I ovulate every month.  Maybe I should change doctors?????

[3d1kjjcs]

Thank you for your responses!

[crossing_our_fingers]

I did Clomid with my OB doctor. I also had the test to check for blocked tubes and endometrosis. We also had a sperm count done on my husband. All came out okay so it was off to the fertility doctor we went. I have insurance through my job and my husband's job. Neither of them covered one red cent. They didn't even cover my blood tests because the request came from the fertility center. We've spent around $30 grand in the past year. However-it was worth it!! The second round of IVF worked!!!Best of luck to you!!

[Tanker Chic]

You might want to look at your insurance a little closure.  Mine was very confusing.. Initially I thought it didn't cover fertility treatment because it said it didn't cover any ART (assisted reproduction treatments) or fertility meds.  When in fact it did cover most of my treatments. It covered all of my dr visits to the specialists, all my u/s, all my tests, surgery and all my meds.  The only thing it didn't cover was the ART itself.  I never got to the point where I needed the IVF, but I did do IUI 3x.. it costed me $300 each time.  It thought that was pretty reasonable.  The reason my insurance said it didn't cover meds is because the meds portion of my insurance is handles by another company, so in truth all the fertility meds were covered.  I didn't end up needing any of the real expensive injectable meds, but if I had needed them, they would have been covered.  I'm with Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal.  Honestly I wouldn't waist anymore time with your OB/GYN.  They have good intentions but they are not specialists.  A fertility specialists job is to get you pregnant.  Best of luck to you!!  

[ashort]

If you can afford it I would just go to an RE.  To be honest I don't know how expensive it is b/c I have the coverage.  Like I said my friend took Clomid and b/c she wasn't being monitored she never hit it just right.

With the monitoring they give you Clomid and you come in like CD10 they look at your follicles and they take your blood to check your hormones.  I went in every morning from CD10-CD15.  I guess you don't really need to go in every morning though.  When your follicles are ready they give you a shot of ovidrel so you o.  Then you know exactly when to bd to conceive.

[Shelly900]

Does anyone have any experience with Regence Blue Shield and whether they cover anything?  They have covered by ultrasounds, blood tests, and progesterone, but I am scared that they are not going to cover the hospital procedures for infertility.  Anyone?

[crossing_our_fingers]

I have Anthem and Medical Mutual. They covered the stuff that my gyno did. (minus clomid). But she put the reason for the tests was irregular periods. Once we went to the fertility center they covered zip!

[3d1kjjcs]

Thank you very much for all your responses.  You have been such great help!!  I made an appointment in December with RE.