Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Big News, not BFP big, but still big

I got great, surprising news today and I’m so excited about it I feel like a new, different person. My employer is changing insurance plans and one of the new options is a plan that includes some coverage for IVF. I’m shocked and thrilled and more excited than I have been in years.

Scott and I have been TTC since January 2005 and did a full year of treatment (8 medicated cycles, 6 with IUI) before realizing a year ago we needed IVF. We started the process and chose a doctor but we never completed all the lab work or signed up for a cycle because we didn’t and don’t have the money to pay for it. It has eaten away at me every single day for the last 18 months (when I first realized drugs and IUI alone weren’t going to fix it). Every single day I’ve worried and stewed and cursed the gods about it. I’ve cried a million tears about it. We decided along the way that I would borrow the money from my 401K to pay for it but since making that decision I have stalled and delayed. It just didn’t feel right. Before we ever started IF treatment I decided I wouldn’t do IVF because it felt like too big a gamble with our future. When I realized it was the only way to get pregnant I changed my mind but the gambling our future thing gnawed at me.

Until today. I was ready to skip open enrollment and stick with our reliable, cheap HMO. Then I hear a rumor about chiropractic benefits under the new plan and decided I should investigate, hoping it would save us a few thousand dollars a year. By the time it is all said and done, I think in one twelve month period the new plan will save us about $15K. We’ll get some coverage for IVF, coverage for chiropractic care, plus acupuncture and the special nutritionist my IVF doc recommends.

Once I realized what switching would mean for us, and for our future, I sat at my desk and cried. I prayed and dreamed about the day that we’d be able to do IVF and not go broke. I didn’t think it would come. I was starting to daydream about not doing it and moving on with adoption. I was doing okay and had put off thinking about it or doing anything until after our trip to Paris (booked using miles) in October.

Instead I need to quit caffeine ASAP and get an appointment with my doc for September. I hope and pray this is the year we get our Christmas miracle.

9 comments:

Jen said...

That is such good news - congrats!

Stacie said...

That is great news indeed!

lub said...

That is HUGE news! Congratulations! I am hoping that my new carrier will include some infertilty coverage. :)

Ms Heathen said...

Hi Sarah

I came to your blog via your comments on lub's blog. I've also just started blogging about my struggles with infertility - it's difficult not to feel like you're the only person in the world going through this.

It's great news that you're going to be able to go ahead with IVF - I wish you every success.

K said...

Wonderful news! That has to ease your thoughts a little. There is always so much to think and worry about.

And you will love Paris!

Pamela T. said...

You are among the lucky ones! Congrats..

KLTTX said...

Congrats on your coverage!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Jenna said...

Wow! This is a nice big unexpected present for you and I couldn't be happier. I hate when money becomes the things that gets in the way of life. I hope you find your way to a baby in the next few months.

Jenna

http://epilogue.inconceivablejourney.com

Ellen K. said...

That's great news. Congrats!