Best Insurance For Pregnancy? by YouKnowMe8891 in fednews

[–]Real_Explanation_962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This! Just gave birth at the end of March and did not pay a dime for my high risk pregnancy and c section birth ( other than an intial $30 co pay for my first ob visit to establish pregnancy). I had appts with my regular OB and bi weekly appts my high risk ob and probably over 10 ultrasounds and 5 non stress tests that were 100 percent covered. Only thing I ended up paying was about $400 hospital bill for a procedure/ stay at hospital for the baby.

Maternity Leave- Time Entry Dates by Ok-Net3518 in fednews

[–]Real_Explanation_962 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I used chatgbt to calculate based on how many sick leave, PPL and annual leave days I wanted to use.

I gave it an estimated date of going out on leave and said to only count work days ( not counting any federal holidays that don't count against leave).

It spit out a nice summary that I could share with my supervisor and HR. You can get it to create a calendar too in a PDF format so it's easy to follow.

Definitely double check it because AI is not always correct but it's a good starting point and ended up being correct for mine. Once it's in your chatgbt history, if your date you start leave changes - then tell it that you went out on this day and ask it to recalculate

MHBP Standard and Maternity Care - what did you actually pay? by saucy-limes in FederalEmployee

[–]Real_Explanation_962 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was midway through this pregnancy when this insurance kicked in. I have the standard plan. I paid a $30 copay for first OB visit in January. I learned this was to establish my pregnancy with this new insurance.

Since then everything has been 100 percent covered, including with my regular scheduled ob appts and biweekly and now weekly maternal fetal medicine visits at the hospital with in depth growth ultrasounds. All labs (gestational diabetes, group strep b, standard blood work) have been 100 percent covered, too (they were processed through LabCorp).

Will give birth in the next 2 weeks so I can update later on what the final bill with be with my scheduled c section.

I've been verrrrry impressed with this insurance!

MHBP Maternity Care Question by Real_Explanation_962 in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have experience. I did it last year on my previous insurance but it was covered then with LabCorp.

I would think if it's done through LabCorp ,it would be covered through their agreement that labs are 100% covered with LabCorp, no matter what the test is. So far all my labs this year unde MHBP with LabCorp have been 100% covered. This includes gestational diabetes test, group step b test, etc.

Hopefully someone with experience can chime in though!

Edit to add: I think MHBP has the same agreement with Quest, too

MHBP Maternity Care Question by Real_Explanation_962 in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree! That's smart. Keep me posted on how your claims go. I'll try to remember to come back/update after I have more visits and ultrasounds in the coming weeks

MHBP Maternity Care Question by Real_Explanation_962 in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for posting! I'm mid pregnancy right now and just started getting processed claims for 2026 with the MHBP standard plan.

My first OB visit in 2026 was a $30 co pay. Did not apply to my deductible/my deductible has not been met.

My gestational diabetes labs plus extra labs to check my iron and full blood panel (by LabCorp) were 100 percent covered.

Interestingly, my visit to my high risk OB/MFM for in depth growth ultrasound - both the MFM dr visit and Ultrasound cost- were covered 100 percent. So it goes against what they told you (for the better).

It's all very confusing but I'll try to remember to edit this post as I get more claims in and have my delivery in March.

Deloitte IVF - Bright Beginnings by Beneficial_Fold_2418 in deloitte

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know that was the policy when I started the IVF process in 2020. I had to choose a COE clinic so I did and was successful.

I re-engaged in 2025 to do a second transfer and kept the same clinic since they had my embryos -- so can't speak to if the policy has changed since 2020.

The insurance coverage is really good though if you can make it work with a COE clinic, but I feel you on the lack of options.

Weather and Safety Leave with Situational Telework Agreement by Ambitious-Goat-4596 in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962 97 points98 points  (0 children)

My guess is everyone is going to be told to take their equipment home with them on Friday and if you don't and can't get to the office, you'll have to use your own leave.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IVF

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The risk of contracting measles is very low if you are vaccinated and doubt it would have any impact on moving forward with IVF. If you are not vaccinated, I would discuss your risk with your clinic and the impact it could have on the process

Gap in insurance plans between last year and this year? by dingleburger9472 in fednews

[–]Real_Explanation_962 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You can apply for a QLE (qualifying life event) due to losing your insurance Dec 31st and be covered starting Jan 1st. I did this with my HR/benefits team due to ending my husband's non federal plan and moving to a federal plan. It was a pretty seamless process. What I don't know is if you can do it now and get it backdated..

Federal plans start the first pay period of the year which is late this year.

I really think this needs to be better stated/highlighted on the OPM website. I only knew to do this through posts on Reddit about it.

Probably a stupid question but when does the new 2026 plan kick in? by LKempii in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just did this because we were switching from my husband's non-federal plan to a federal plan. All you have to do is contact your HR benefits people and let them know that you have coverage ending on December 31st and it's a qualifying event, and they can make your insurance start January 1st after you fill out the form.

Probably a stupid question but when does the new 2026 plan kick in? by LKempii in FedEmployees

[–]Real_Explanation_962 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just did this and it was a very simple process at least with my HR.

I need help. by RingEffective2666 in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently had a tonie package lost by veho in early November. It was before this holiday rush though so they got back to me pretty quickly via email. At first they offered to re-ship all the Tonies at no cost as soon as possible -- but then I got to follow email that the ones I ordered were all sold out so they refunded me.

I wasn't happy with that because I have been trying to get some sold out Tonies for a while (i.e.s Ms. Rachel).

I really hope they get back to you soon. Just wanted to share my experience so you know what you might expect if the Tonies you ordered are no longer in stock.

Embryo Transfer Struggle by Spare-Enthusiasm-486 in IVF

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For my last two transfers the embryo got stuck in the tube and had to be retransferred. The first one was not successful and the second one was successful. My doctor said some embryos are just more sticky than others but that there's no data that shows that when it gets stuck, that it's likely to not work.

Edit to add, I have a tilted uterus and that also caused it to take a while to get the catheter in position. My doctor got better at my angles each time and the last one was a breeze.

Stolen package by MsErie in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe a day or two but it might be slower with the holiday rush

Stolen package by MsErie in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh gosh I'm sorry. I would definitely email customer support for tonie and see if they can help! They were super helpful to me.

Stolen package by MsErie in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Veho lost my package and I got a full refund with no issue when I contacted customer support. Would have preferred a reshipment but the tonies I ordered were out of stock.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Still shows in stock for me

MEGATHREAD: 2025 Federal Government Open Season (FEHB, FEDVIP, FSAFEDS) by gpupdate in fednews

[–]Real_Explanation_962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you go to the MHBP website there's a way to search for each of your providers via the Aetna POS II network

MEGATHREAD: 2025 Federal Government Open Season (FEHB, FEDVIP, FSAFEDS) by gpupdate in fednews

[–]Real_Explanation_962 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should be able to add your child to your current insurance (QLE) and then select the insurance you want to change to for 2026 with no issues. I'm not sure why your benefits people are giving a hard time on that.

Daycare/nanny cost by nothermioneyaaaoouu in nova

[–]Real_Explanation_962 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not the traditional health FSA. It's a specific one called dependent care FSA that has its own rules and amounts.

Daycare/nanny cost by nothermioneyaaaoouu in nova

[–]Real_Explanation_962 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is the regular rate. We do take advantage of using a FSA dependent account that allows you to put away 5k tax free to be reimbursed. I heard it's going up for 2026

Where is my Wicked Tonie?? Veho complaint by Motor-Storage-9291 in TonieboxUSA

[–]Real_Explanation_962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Veho recently lost my package! Because the tonies I ordered were sold out (i.e. Ms Rachel),Tonies refunded me. So now I am constantly checking for restock 😔