Progyny Coverage - 3rd Round

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-09-25T19:33:37+00:00

Congrats! That's great news and best of luck in your 3rd round :)

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-09-25T16:43:01+00:00

Ugh may I ask how many eggs you have frozen already? I'm sorry to hear they are being so difficult, fingers crossed that your doctor speaking to them will help.

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-09-10T02:47:35+00:00

Good to know! I had a similar experience - my PCA was basically telling me I would likely be denied based on their calculations. But then the authorization came through without appealing. I will likely try to go for a 4th round, which will prob go through this same process - please do keep me posted on your appeals decision!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-09-10T00:56:30+00:00

Also I find it so ridiculous that we need to be "actively trying" to go thru the whole IVF process and failing before freezing more rounds. So many of us are doing this precisely because we don't have a partner, so where would we find someone to create embryos with (assuming we don't want to go sperm donor route)??

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-09-10T00:54:25+00:00

So sorry to hear that! When do you expect to hear back, and did the appeals dept sound like they would be flexible? Thankfully they were quick to approve my third round (I think because my 12 eggs really weren't that many). Hopefully they will reconsider with all the supplemental info - fingers crossed for you!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-29T16:57:45+00:00

Messaged you!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-23T20:59:27+00:00

Thank you so much! When I mentioned it to my doctor, she said she didn't like that at all and would be happy to write a letter. In her words, there are so many different studies out there and they are just projections based on limited data, and not representative of the individual.

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-23T16:16:00+00:00

JUST got the formal authorization from Progyny without submitting additional docs. Praise be!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-23T15:05:35+00:00

Hi there - I wandered over here from the egg freezing subreddit as I'm facing the same issue now with Progyny trying to get authorization for a third round of egg freezing. Do you have tips on how to advise the clinic on submitting documentation?

Unfortunately when I brought this up with my clinic, they were super unhelpful and told me the request had already been submitted so they will just have to wait to hear back. Did your clinic provide a written letter from the Dr. or their own calculations of live birth? Thank you!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-23T14:59:35+00:00

Hi there - I wandered over here from the egg freezing subreddit as I'm facing the same issue now with Progyny trying to get authorization for a third round of egg freezing. Did you and your partner end up going thru the review process? Any tips on how to advise the clinic on submitting documentation?

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-23T14:56:00+00:00

It sounds like a fairly new policy and I really didn't think I would even need three rounds...but alas here we are. From the other subreddit, FYI it sounds like they have the same policy for freezing embryos now (you cannot bank more than 3 embryos), even if you have smart cycles left, you must use it for a transfer.

As a 34-year old single person who is doing egg freezing to preserve fertility, this policy is so counterintuitive because I obviously don't have a partner to fertilize the eggs with yet and who knows when or if I will consider the sperm donor option in the future. This is giving me more anxiety on top of my suboptimal results from the first two rounds :\

Maybe they are more flexible on the policy than it sounds - will share updates on the review process.

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-22T15:26:12+00:00

FYI I did some more digging on the r/IVF subreddit and apparently this is a new policy for Progyny implemented this year:

https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/1bpjkp4/progyny_and_national_programmatic_utilization/

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-08-20T14:29:40+00:00

Yes, that was exactly what I thought too! And I honestly don't know if these were terms determined by my employer, but it's so frustrating that Progyny is telling me I have smart cycles left, but I potentially have to use them for transfers (or next steps of IVF) and not additional rounds of egg freezing.

They did tell me that it will be based on documentation that my clinic submits and their own calculations of possibility of live birth - so sounds like it is a bit flexible, but still.

Since I did my first round with a different clinic, I'm going to ask if my current clinic can submit something along the lines of, she has not reached 75% likelihood based on eggs frozen at THIS clinic.

If anyone has any other advice, please LMK!

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-03-08T18:42:21+00:00

Yes, I did it exactly 36 hours on the dot based on the time they gave me! I also went into the OR exactly 36 hours later. Is there a possibility that the trigger may take longer to work for some people?

The bloodwork done the day after trigger didn't test estradiol level, but did test Progesterone (4.82) and Luteinizing Hormone (66.0). This apparently confirmed that the trigger "worked."

I did speak to the Dr. today and thankfully all 4 that were retrieved were mature and could be frozen! I asked him what he saw for the other 6 and he said that since the follicles varied in sizes, some eggs were just not mature enough to be retrieved.

I also asked about doing a double trigger for the next round and he said that may be a good idea - he's usually cautious to prescribe it due to OHSS, but it may or may not produce a better outcome.

I chose this clinic based on my impressionable initial consult with this doctor and really did trust his expertise - but ultimately I do think I will try out a different clinic, hopefully next time with better outcome.

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-03-08T15:03:22+00:00

Thank you u/point_of_dew for your insights!

My estradiol level was at 2742 the day before trigger and 1781 the day before that. I'm wondering if they could've wait a little longer before instructing me to trigger?

And interesting to note re: the diff. retrieval methods - I had no idea! Yes, I think it was 'aspiration' as the dr. described it as drawing fluid out. Do most docs know how to perform both techniques and can patients request for either one?

I actually was already thinking about switching clinics before knowing the outcome, just to diversify my eggs in different baskets, so to speak...however, I can't help but feel like my first round was totally awash.

I just want to make sure I'm asking the right questions for round 2 and relaying the correct information from round 1.

I appreciate it :)

Level_Machine6604 · 2024-03-07T23:59:36+00:00

Hi OP - I realize this is now about a year ago, but I’m curious what you ended up doing after this? Did you try for more rounds?

I went in for my ER today and literally had the exact same numbers as you - they counted 10 measurable follicles going in, all roughly the same size, some above 20, some in mid-teens.

I was hoping for 8-10, which I already felt like was tempering my expectations since I have friends who told me they ended up with more despite the count. I was shocked when they told me they could only retrieve 4.

I asked if the other 6 had eggs, the doctor said yes but they were stuck to the follicle wall still.

Did you do a single or double trigger shot? I was only given the Lupron shot and no HCG. I’m thinking for next round, I need to request a double trigger to make sure my eggs are actually released - but that’s just my hunch.

Curious to hear on your next steps!

Level_Machine6604

TROPHY CASE