June 11, 2008
Funding for Tubal Reversal - Ways to Do It
Many, many women regret their tubal ligation each year for one reason or another. Once they have decided upon having a reversal surgery done, finding funding for tubal reversal becomes the biggest part of their lives as well as picking the best doctor to do the surgery. As these reversal can be quite costly, there usually is no other option but to seek out ways to scratch up the fees.
Among the fees that will have to be paid to have the surgery are the post-op tests, the surgeon's fees, the surgical facility fees, the staff including the anesthesiologist and any needed travel expenses if doing the surgery out of town in order to get the best doctor. In this article we have included a few different ways to try to come up with the cash needed to get the job done.
First is the good old saving for a rainy day. You simply begin to put the extra money you have every month aside in a savings account. I would go so far as to even suggest a savings account just for the purpose of saving for this procedure. If you mix it up into your regular savings account, you just might "accidentally" spend in on whatever comes up. If you don't have extra or think you don't, then it's time to look into the various budget cutting and controlling methods that abound on the web. Do you really need cable TV or that extra latte every day?
Next is a version of the first in that you will end up saving to come up with the full amount. In this version, you go out and get a job. If necessary, you get a second job. Then put that money aside into your savings account till you have the full amount all saved up.
One method that might be open to you is a sort of lay away plan at the surgeon you have chosen. For instance, if you choose one of the doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, you can open a payment plan with $250. After that you can pay as much as you can when you can. I would suggest weekly if at all possible. The longer it stays in your hands the easier it is for it to disappear. Talk to the staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to get further details.
Some women use their family's income tax refund to pay for the tubal reversal surgery. Depending upon your personal situation, you might have to wait a few years if just depending upon a tax refund. This is why some will use their tax refund to supplement their savings plan.
Usually the first place you will look for funding for tubal reversal is your health insurance provider. However, most will not cover this type of elective procedure though some may cover some of the initial testing. I hate to say it, but it all depends. It will really take a call to your company to get the real scoop and even then two different people there may tell you two opposite answers. If you do get someone to tell you a tubal reversal is covered, then get it in writing. You don't want to be surprised after the surgery and find you have to pay it all with no reimbursement.
You will find that most insurance companies will not cover it as it is considered an elective surgery. However, there are some possible, and I stress possible, ways around this. If the reason you are wanting the tubal reversal is for alleviation of symptoms of post tubal ligation syndrome, then getting you primary doctor to say that repairing your tubes is necessary might be one way to get insurance to pay for it, maybe even 100%. The other way that is possible to get some of the cost reimbursed is if there is a cap on your medical out-of-pocket expenses where the insurance company picks up the amount over the cap. You will have to check your own policy to see about this.
Another account you might find useful is your flexible spending account available through your job. These allow money to be taken from your paycheck before taxes, so you not only get the benefit of money piling up, it means you pay less taxes. You will have to find out the way your particular flex spending account works and sign up during your enrollment period if you aren't already in one.
Another such source from your work would be taking out a 401(k) or IRA to pay for the full cost. You will end up paying a penalty and that money won't be building your retirement so you will just have to decide what is most important to you. If it's for ptls relief, I know what I would choose.
Lastly is using your credit card in some form. It could be that your doctor will accept your credit card. If he does not, then maybe you can get a cash advance to pay for the surgery. However, be very aware of the high interest rate you may have to make paying back this advance. Make very sure you pay higher than minimum monthly payments on your credit card or you will be paying a very long time for the surgery. It might also be possible to use your credit card to "purchase" a cashier's check to pay for your tubal reversal.
Although there may be other methods available for funding for tubal reversal, the above will give you a good start on things to consider. As I don't know your situation, I won't know what is right for you. Only you can decide. But be careful about getting in over your head.
Filed under Medicine by Sandra Wilson









