Re: Non-insurance covered vasectomy? Prices, resources?

[dummy-suckem@xxxxxxxxx (Robert)]

 > From: tracyarts@xxxxxxxxx (Tracyarts)
 > Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 15:21:25 CST
 >
 > Does anybody know of any agencies that help people either finance vasectomy or
 > pay on a sliding scale basis?
 > 
 > My husband has been trying to get a vasectomy for almost a year.  His insurance
 > supposedly covers it for a $200 outpatient surgery fee and then $40 for all
 > related urologist visits pre- and post surgery.  
 > 
 > But getting a surgery date scheduled is a problem.
 > 
 > He had asked his primary care doctor for a referral last year, but because he
 > had an unrelated surgery last Winter, was told he needed to wait 6 months
 > before any further surgery (was never explained exactly why).  Then his PCP
 > told him he was "not comfortable" referring a man under 30 with no children for
 > a vasectomy.  DH sent a letter of appeal to his insurance carrier and they
 > allowed him to select a different primary care doctor.  This doctor has no
 > problems with the vasectomy and gave DH the referral to a urologist.  At least
 > we are past the primary care doctor barrier.  Unfortunately this urologist
 > cannot even see him for an initial evaulation appointment until the end of
 > April.  He cannot discuss whether he will do the vasectomy or not until after
 > he sees DH for the evaluation then.  
 > 
 > He has thought of just going off the insurance plan to get it done and over
 > with.  But he called another urologist who could see him at the beginning of
 > Feb. on a self-pay basis, but we were quoted a figure over $3,000 for pre and
 > post surgery lab fees, outpatient surgical fees, and office visit initial
 > evaluation and followup fees.  That's just too much, it would take us longer
 > than the end of April to put that much away.
 > 
 > Has anybody self-paid, and how much did you pay, and did you have a problem
 > finding somebody to do the procedure in a timely manner?
 > 
 > Tracy
 > ***Remove the word: nospam from my address to e-mail me***

I got mine about 6 years ago in Hayward, CA, at the Planned Parenthood
there for $345.  Best investment I've ever made!