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May 15, 2013

Diagnosis vs. Treatment

Let's say you walk into the doctor's office because your leg hurts. It's hurt for weeks and nothing makes it feel better. So, what does the doctor do? X-ray, tests, other doctory stuff. Basically, the doctor is going to try to figure out what's going on and how to fix it. Well, the doctor is a human and has to eat -- so he charges  you and your insurance for the visit.

This portion of your visit is for "diagnosis." You pay the doctor to figure out what's wrong. But, what if that was it? What if diagnosis was all your doctor could do for you? 

Instead, you expect your doctor to help you fix the problem. Right? How do we stop the pain and fix the leg? This is treatment. And, again, since the doctor is working, he expects to bill you, and your insurance, for fixing the problem. You in turn expect your insurance to contribute -- isn't that what it's there for, helping you solve your medical problems? 

Now replace "leg hurts" with "can't get/stay pregnant." Then, the rules all change. 

This is one of the most unfair parts about infertility. Most insurance covers diagnosis but not treatment. As if the desire to have a baby can be likened to having a boob job, or butt implants or whatever crazy cosmetic surgery Hollywood says you should be having. It's a choice, not a necessity  So, a doctor can say "yes, you have a problem, yes I can help you try and fix it" but only for your insurance to say "we're not paying for that, you don't need a baby." 

So, you're stuck. Fertility treatments or your mortgage. Another baby or credit card debt. No savings account or an IUI. 

This situation is my life right now. It just adds to the misery of my reproductive struggles. As if its not unfair enough to have to deal with recurrent miscarriage, I have to make a choice between financial security and fixing the problem. 

I don't know how to make that decision. Tough luck, right? 


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Comments

The Maiden Metallurgist
It's so hard. We paid out of pocket too, we got lucky and didn't have to pay for long, but it was still more than we could really afford at the time. I wish you the best, fastest most successful cycle. I am thinking of you and your ute. Come one Dr, make some magic happen.
Katie
Katie said…
I'm so sorry. :( It seems like there should be some sort of baby grant out there to apply for. Something. Sending hugs.
Anonymous
Anonymous said…
You can always make more money. Beg, borrow and steal. It's worth at least one try, otherwise you may always wonder, what if.
Amy @ No Greater Honors
I'm sorry! I know that is heart-breaking, knowiing what might fix it and now trying to figure out how to make that happen. I will be praying for you! Sending (((hugs))) from No Greater Honors!
Michele Chronister
Oh my goodness...you are totally right and it is very upsetting! Fertility treatments aren't a lifestyle thing...healing your fertility is a matter of making your body function in a healthy way! We have struggled with infertility for periods of our marriage (I'm currently pregnant with our second and it took almost a year and a half of actively trying and trying to diagnose before we were able to conceive!). Not sure what doctors you've been working with, but have you heard of Napro technology? Napro doctors use some more cutting edge methods to heal your fertility, and most doctors aren't trained in it yet. It's worth looking up on Google to see if there's a Napro doctor near you. We live in St. Louis and I see a Napro doctor and it did help us with having our second!