The IVF checklist

Posted byDanielle JenningsPosted inUncategorized

During the follow-up we agreed that next step would be IVF. I was so anxious to just start my next cycle and dive right in. HA. Wow there is so much that needs to be done before you can start. I was sent over about 10 different emails of stuff that we needed to complete to even move forward. Emails included a bunch of consent forms, a link to set us up with a financial counselor, a cycle calendar (which instantly gave me anxiety), a link to make a “medical passport” for the anesthesiologist, and a LOT of educational videos. I was told I would also need a Physical exam from my PCP to clear me for treatments.

1/8/21- Our financial coordinator reaches us to tell us we are APPROVED for our first cycle and we would have to sign an Embryo Storage Agreement to proceed. Today was a good day!

Now lets talk about insurance. I’m trying this whole new year new me thing so I will try my hardest to not swear and call them a bunch of asshats. For the past 2 weeks I have been back and forth with both of my insurance companies. Why is it so confusing?!?!? I have Aetna insurance but when it comes to pharmacy it is called Caremark. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield secondary and for pharmacy they are called MaxorPlus. Oh and all 4 of them yeah they don’t communicate, it has been a nightmare. I thought getting my medication list was going to put me over but turns out the meds are the easy part, talking to your insurance and getting approval is the challenge I face.

Medication list:

1/20/21- I get the call from my insurance that they will need prior authorization from my doctors office to approve any injections. Well that list 5 out of the 6 are injections! Cool thanks for the vaginal cream and the sharps container. Its frustrating when you pay SO much for insurance’s’ just for them to make you jump through all these hoops. I asked my insurance if my doctor signs the form (which she wrote the script so obviously she will sign it) then what? They tell me my doctor needs to send over every clinical note and the insurance has the final say. If they deny my medications at this point I can appeal the case which could take MONTHS or pay out of pocket ($5,048). Decision in 72 hours.

22 thoughts on “The IVF checklist”

  1. Danielle, my heart it with you every inch of the way during this incredible journey. I can only imagine what you and Dave are going through. Your mom means the world to me and you are extremely lucky to have her in your life. I wish you and Dave the best and look forward to you next entry. With love, Mary Lee

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story. Rob and I knew IVF wasn’t for us and had pretty much given up on having kids after seven years of trying. We had planned to sell everything and move to the Caribbean for a few years while I went to school to be a Nurse Practitioner. We found out we were pregnant with Hazel a couple weeks later. I know what it’s like to feel that disappointment and loss, while watching women all around you popping out babies like nothing. I put on a brave face and snuggled their babies while my heart broke inside. I eventually had the happy ending, but not without the heartache first. You are much braver than I was. You will have the happy ending and all this will be worth it. 💜

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  4. Wow Danielle this is insane, I am so sorry that you or anyone has to go through this. Yes I get that we will all deal with “medical” issues in our life which suck all on their own but to have the unbelievable frustrating behind the scenes sh&! Along with it, is just unbelievably frustrating…. I am sending you love support and prayers

    Laura

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  6. Danielle, I read all of these, and it honestly brought tears to my eyes. I can’t at all understand truly what you are going through, but you know my heart is right there with you. I spent my entire surrogacy reading articles written by mothers just like you. There is hope, and I will be thinking of you everyday and praying for your happy ending. I follow this one woman on Instagram…. while_we.wait and a few others….. I wish I could help you all. But I watch all of your stories praying you all get your babies. ❤️

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  7. Thank you for sharing!!! This is exactly what I feared about IVF! I have known inside I didn’t want to endure all that… oh the decision to try IVF or live life as it is ?!

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  8. Danielle, we struggled to have Claire. I was so devastated and wanted this for us so badly I was willing to do anything. We made it to IVF (because I was already 40) and got to all the scripts only to have insurance deny. We appealed and they denied again. With two kids already, I couldn’t justify paying so much for something that was not a guarantee (because of my age). I convinced myself we could do it on our own. After another year, we did. Don’t give up hope. xo

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    1. Thank you for sharing Kristen I had no idea. It makes me so angry that insurances can have the final say, the past 3 weeks all I have done is battle with them as if this process isn’t hard enough. Your family is beautiful and stories like this give us so much hope ❤️

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  9. Danielle,

    It’s true what they say; you never know what someone is truly going through especially when all you see is their smile shining so bright. You are so brave sharing your journey and I pray that you and your husband get some good news soon. Never lose hope. “Tough times don’t last; tough people do” Sending you lots of love, prayers and strength!

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  10. Thanks for being so brave and sharing your journey. You could be writing my story, up till this point in time!
    My husband and I were married Oct 2017 and like you all we didn’t start trying right away. Dec 2018 we conceived naturally and lost that pregnancy at 10 weeks.
    We lost 3 more between Dec 2018 and today, a total of 4 miscarriages.
    We were sent to an RE, seeing a PA, and they’ve been helpful.
    After our 4th miscarriage this last month our PA sent us BOTH to get MORE blood work done.
    Heartbreakingly and super surprising to us my husbands blood work came back with ‘risk of decreased fertility, repeated pregnancy loss and chromosomally abnormal specimens.’ Talk about a kick to the stomach!!! 😦
    Our PA had been talking to us about IUI and that was the direction we were planning on trying next… until these results.
    The call came from our PA last Thursday and the options are to keep trying naturally, knowing that we will continue to have multiple miscarriages, until his reproductive system puts out the correct combo of DNA and chromosomes… or IVF with a 15% chance of successful embryos- at $25k each IVF cycle. Our insurance covers 0% of infertility problems… so it would be 100% out of pocket for us to pay for any IVF cycles we would choose to do.
    I’ve had my bouts of sobbing my eyes out and struggling to figure out what to do next- or if we should…
    We have a call with the RE today- I am struggling to keep my positivity up and know that we may have to go different directions that I had hoped and dreamed of since I was 5 years old.
    Hopefully we can make decision soon, as to what direction to go.
    Much love and hope for you all to succeed!!

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    1. Thank you for sharing. I wish I could say something to take the pain away, I understand your heartbreak. The most frustrating thing so far has been money possibly being the reason so many people stop from pursuing their dreams. It’s absolutely disgusting how expensive the process is and how completely useless insurance can be. No matter what happens I will never stop spreading awareness to this matter, something has to change! I pray you can get some answers and I’m always here to chat ❤️

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      1. Oh, I completely agree with you Danielle! It shouldn’t cost us this much financially as the emotional toll is incredibly hard. Adoption has also been suggested to us many times by well meaning friends and family. I am adopted myself, so do understand to some degree what they are saying… but it doesn’t change the deep, strong God-given desire us girls have to have our own babies. Thank you for letting me share my story with you. Like you, I will ALWAYS be spreading awareness about this subject. Its not talked about NEARLY enough. I found your blog posted on FB- and would definitely love to connect with you there also. I am pulling for you all to succeed in your journey!!

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      2. That’s another thing that people will say “why don’t you just adopt” and I know they are saying it with love but that road is definitely not an easy way out. I have a few friends that have adopted and I have seen their struggles also. Yes please find me on Facebook, I plan to keep sharing. Praying for you also 💕

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