Worried about the COST of tests and treatments, especially any surgery

bluebell · 02-22-2007, 11:28 PM

Hi, this is my first post. I am trying to figure out how much the various PCOS-related tests, prescriptions and/or procedures might cost. I don't have health insurance or much money -- unfortunately I make a little too much to qualify for Medicaid, but definitely not enough that insurance has been a priority for me so far (I'm a healthy 29yo with no medical concerns other than this one).

Right now I'm concerned about seeing someone and posibly getting diagnosed with PCOS, because then it would be a pre-existing condition in insurance terms. So I'm trying to get a sense in advance of what the procedures might cost if I were diagnosed -- especially if there had to be surgery to remove a cyst or polyp. Basically I am trying to decide whether I need to find some kind of insurance *first*, in case I need surgery. A related question would be whether I'd be allowed to delay surgery if it was recommended, and for how long.

And I'm not sure if I have PCOS or something less common, since I don't easily match the symptoms I'm finding. My main symptom is fairly light but almost continuous menstrual bleeding (only a few days each month without bleeding). I have some excess hair under my chin, and I'm about 30% over my ideal weight. But I have the opposite of the other symptoms (no hair loss or skin issues, low blood pressure, low cholesterol, never painful or heavy periods, no abdominal tenderness).

Thanks very much for any advice you have. If you remember the costs of any of your tests or procedures that would also be super-appreciated...

danare · 02-23-2007, 02:16 AM

Hey and welcome to sc. I cant really help you much on the costs as I have always had insurance and usually all I have to pay is my copay. As for the symptoms goes I really do not have that many either except that I used to never have periods, I am not over weight no excessive hair or anything. So until my husband and I started ttc I never even knew I had pcos. I am sure there are many people on here that can help you with the costs. As for the surgery part I do not know how commn that is with pcos patients I myself have never had to have any surgery and I was diagnosed in 2002, I hope you find the help you need. GL

alwayzlele24 · 02-23-2007, 03:32 AM

Well i have insurance too but i checked to see how much it cost on my ins. paper. I haven't done everything yet but here's what i can tell you. I had a ct done (at the cancer center where i work..so it may be cheaper for u) it was close to 2,200. the transvaginal was 500 . The hsg was 700. and my dh had to do a sperm analysis which was 120 at quest. The only reason i got away with it so far is my doc is trying to find out why im in pain and not fertility. i'll soon be in your boat. Good luck hun

bluebell · 02-23-2007, 09:34 AM

Ay... (Thanks so much for the responses, please keep them coming!) So just the tests alone might be 3K or more and I'm sure any surgery (even exploratory) would push that higher. I will keep doing research... it's complicated to figure out the right sequence of events here, but this info really helps.