Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Dear my insurance company: BITE ME.

I got a letter in the mail today from my insurance company stating that effective July 1, 2008 my OB/GYN and RE will not be covered under my plan anymore. They are dropping their practices completely because they charge too much.

I'm kind of ok with the RE being dropped. God willing, things continue to go well and I will only have to see him unil mid-June anyway. But I would have assumed I'd use him again if we decided to try for another child down the line.

But my regular OB/GYN...I love her. I adore her. She's great. She was very aggressive with me seeing an RE after only 6 months of TTC and dx'ing myself with LPD. Most drs make you wait the standard 12 months; plus they usually dismiss LPD. I would have gone batty if she made me wait that long.

How do I go about finding a new OB now that I'm already 7+ weeks pregnant? I guess it should be easy enough, but this new dr won't know about my struggles. Will he/she be as compassionate as my old dr? Will he/she "get it" when I beg for weekly check-ups during the first trimester? I'm sure they've heard it all before, but it's probably from patients they're familiar with and not just some newbie strolling in off the streets.

This is just something I never saw coming and would never have guessed that I'd have to worry about.

8 comments:

Kate said...

Here from NCLM. I am so sorry to hear about your insurance. Having an OB that you have a good relationship with is so important. I really hope you can find one you like just as much.

K @ ourboxofrain said...

Yikes! Are you sure you can't still use her? My policy has a clause saying that if they drop an OB while you're pregnant, you can continue to see them during your pregnancy and it will be covered. I'm guessing they wouldn't have notified you if that were the case, but it may be worth a call to check.

I'm so sorry you have to deal losing a trusted OB -- good docs with whom one has a good rapport are so hard to find!

Maria (MKC101103) said...

K...
They will continue care only if I'm in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. I don't hit the 2nd trimester until July 6th...5 measly days too late :-(

Michelle said...

here from NCLM...maybe your worry is for naught...we got letters from ALL of our docs saying that our insurance company was dropping the whole health network (our family doc, gyn, ENT, allergist, EVERYONE). Then in the 11th hour, they reached an agreement. So if your docs are part of a bigger picture, maybe it will work itself out. Good luck!

Kim said...

Don't get me started on ins. companies. Our dropped our pediatrician and didn't let us know. We got charged in full for the visit! I had been going there for almost six years and had to switch! I thought you could stay with OB if you were pg too - there are some things about continuing care or something like that...I wonder if a future u/s could change you due date by a few days? NCLM

Katie said...

Well poop. I hope you can either continue going to your Dr. or maybe your Dr. can recommend another Dr. that would be covered under your new insurance. Maybe they will make an exception since you would be 5 days away from the 2nd tri. Sending you a virtual hug!

Fit & Fierce Mama said...

Maybe you can talk to you OB about the second trimester deadline? She might be able to work something out- fudge the due date? Or perhaps she is covered under your husband's insurance and you could switch to his? Unless you are already on his....

irishdo said...

I lurk but never comment. Bad me. I have the same insurance and the same RE AND my OB is affected as well. Seems like every OB affliated with MLH is. Anyway, I had an OB apt yesterday and word on the street is they are going to settle before July 1. This better be true. But IBX still can kiss my ass.