Should DH get a vasectomy?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2007
Should DH get a vasectomy?
8
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 2:26pm

We are for sure done having kids BUT Dh insurance will not cover the vasectomy.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 2:43pm

Ok, I think you get the prize for the most shocking post title for the month! :) LOL

I think that things like this are the opportunities we get to build the skills required to save for something. I always try to encourage board members when they are still in the midst of paying down debt and they identify something like this that is a reasonable expenditure but doesn't need to be done right away and is a reasonably small price tag to try and get yourself in a place to save the money first. At some point, you have to make the switch in your head that you don't go into debt for optional things. I'm not a Ramsey person who says you never ever use credit again but I do think it is really easy to slip back into the habit of borrowing when we should wait.

On another note, I find it ridiculous that the insurance won't pay for it. Hell of a lot cheaper than a run of the mill pregnancy much less a complicated one and won't they pay for your birth control? Again, in the long run, much cheaper and less likely to cause complications. About as much foresight as the end of their noses!!!!

Peg

eta: Check with DH's employer to see if they have an FSA for medical expenses. If they do, see if it's too late to sign up for the next benefits year. If you are able to use that program, you can have the procedure at the beginning of the year and then pay it back to the FSA via pretax dollars AND if something would happen and DH would lose his job, the remaining is forgiven.

Also, that seems awfully cheap. I don't know what's involved with hospital charges or other physician charges (anesthesiology comes to mind) but make sure you've got the whole picture.

Edited 11/7/2008 2:45 pm ET by p7eggyc (p7eggyc1)




Edited 11/7/2008 2:50 pm ET by p7eggyc (p7eggyc1)
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 3:24pm

Interesting. Do you two share the same insurance? Just wondering if you getting a tubal is covered by his or your insurance. (I am sorry if you are completely opposed to a tubal please ignore my ramblings.) I know with vasectomy's (from what I've heard...) that men have to go back to the doctor several times to make sure things "worked" properly during the procedure. My male neighbor who had this done had several....swimmers...that kept him active and he had to go back for a second procedure. Not trying to scare you but just make sure you get the full facts before your DH does this. (and don't ask how I know this about my neighbor - his wife is a nurse and talks to me about this stuff.)


Anyway, after I had my second child I had a tubal done in the hospital. But for women its a much more invasive surgery.


Also, I know at the ob/gyn you can get permenant birth control inserted (sorry if graphic) that lasts up to 5 years without removal. I don't know the name of this but perhaps that's something to look into so that you can build up an efund and down your debt and perhaps afford a vasectomy then.


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 4:31pm

How prices have went up.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2003
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 4:40pm
There is a less invasive type of tubal known as Essure that may or may not be cheaper so it might be worth looking into how much that would cost and then weighing your options. Essure is a outpatient procedure that can be performed in a gyn's office - it is basically having coils threaded into the tubes so no cutting is involved. You do have to go back 3 months later for a followup to test that the tubes are completely blocked. It is a permanent form of birth control. I had the procedure 4 years ago and other than some slight discomfort that some Advil easily took care of, was back to my normal activities the same day. Like I said it may not be cheaper than your husband getting a vasectomy but it wouldn't hurt to check.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 4:55pm
Are you positive that the insurance won't cover it? My health insurance covered my tubal ligation. My brother's health insurance covered his vasectomy. It seems it would be illegal to cover one and not the other.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2005
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:34pm
I would really check on this with ins co.

over 40 and tired

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2002
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 7:57pm

I think the thread went off on a tangent but I have to jump in. My DH is an RN at a huge hospital with all the best technology. But it is a Catholic hospital and has Catholic insurance. The ONLY bc covered is pills (which is pretty progressive from what I hear). I can't take pills for a few reasons, one of which is it is a trigger for my ulcerative colitis. I also have other reasons for wanting a permanent bc option, I am now 35 (you know that magic number), I have 4 living children, I am married, I have an aggressive form of B12 anemia that gave me Picca when pg and another baby could kill me. My primary doc, OB, and GI all wrote letters and two went before a medical review board and personally spoke on my behave to have a tubal covered. I was denied....to pay out of pocket at clinic next door is about $8000 with out complications.

We were quoted a vasectomy at $1200 and obviously the way to go. DH was also denied insurance coverage, but the doctors only wrote letters.

I did find out I qualified to go to a State clinic and have a 12 year hormone free IUD for free with our income, so for now that's the route we went. Eventually, DH will get a vasectomy.

Now to get back to what I think you were actually asking, if you are confident in your current methods save up for it. If you aren't sure about your methods, make the payments. Really, I think it comes down to what you are most comfortable with.

Take care,
Liza

Edited for poor spelling

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Edited 11/8/2008 12:11 pm ET by mutterauge
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2007
Sat, 11-08-2008 - 8:13pm

I know this subject is a bit TMI, but I guess I'm a bit bold about things LOL


I, sadly, have no insurance. My job dosen't offer any and DH job was going to cost us around $500 a month in premiums with just me added, $700 a month if he chose family coverage.

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