What questions to ask your insurance company

Most RE offices will ask that YOU, the Patient, contact your insurance company. Before calling your insurance company, have this information on hand:

Note: I know these should be "common sense" but I like to be thorough!

• Name of the insured individual
• Employee/Patient ID Number or Social Security Number
• Name of employer
• Name of plan
• Group code/ number
• Patient’s name and date of birth

Be sure to get the name (or agent #) of the person to whom you are speaking with and his or her telephone and extension number.

Answers to the following question will help you understand which procedures will be covered and reimbursed during the course of your therapy for infertility. Remember if you are unsatisfied with the answers you receive; ask to speak to a supervisor or another representative who is more familiar with the infertility benefits.

Important Questions For YOU to ask Your Insurance Company

• What are my infertility benefits?
• What is excluded?
• What do the benefits cover?
• Do they cover diagnostic procedures done in an office setting?
• Do they cover treatment procedures done in an office setting?
• Do they cover drug therapy?
• What types of treatment are covered? Intrauterine insemination? In vitro Fertilization? ICSI intracytoplasmic sperm injection)?
• Do I need a referral for diagnostic procedures or treatment?
• Do I need pre certification?
• What are the maximum allowed attempts for non-IVF procedures, such as artificial insemination?
• What are the maximum allowed attempts for In vitro fertilization?
• Are donor sperm and egg options covered?
• Is the egg donor covered by my plan if she has complications?
• Do I need to use specific pharmacies or mail – order pharmacies?
• Do I have a pre existing clause?
• If I have a Dollar benefit, how much of this has been used? How much of this benefit is left?

Since this post may not be that easy to print, I have created a handy PDF file that I’d be more than willing to email to readers.