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?
