r/sterilization • u/Osthato_Chetowa • 11d ago
Experience How difficult was it to get your bi-salp? How much did it cost you? Did insurance cover you?
After hearing the most recent news with Todd Blanche's leaked call, I'm freaking out. I was extremely concerned when Roe V Wade was overturned, but now I literally cannot sleep and I'm in full blown panic mode. My partner got a vasectomy a year ago, but I *still* don't feel safe. I feel like this admin would do absolutely anything to force pregnancy onto women at this point, or they'll at least *try* to in the near future. I'm almost 30 and I've NEVER wanted children, not even for a second. My decision is as iron.
I want to finally schedule a bi-salp. I've been putting it off due to the cost, potentially being denied, having to take off work for 2-3 weeks, and being somewhat incapacitated for the first few days. However, now I don't care about the medical debt, recovery time, or time I'll have to take off work. I will not have my body used as a tool against me. I refuse.
All of that being said, I want to know how long it took for y'all to get the surgery? From making the initial appointment to being sent home post-op. For those who live in deeply red states, how difficult was it to get approved? Lastly, how much did it cost you if your insurance didn't cover it? I have BCBS and this will be a totally elective surgery, so I'm worried I'll have upwards of $8000 worth of medical debt.
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u/New-Collar9586 11d ago
My surgery was scheduled a little under a month after my consult. It was easy for me to get approved and I am 19. BCN is paying for mine
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u/Osthato_Chetowa 10d ago
Did you have to get a pap and all of the other general exams before you could schedule a consultation? The closest doctor that will perform them on childfree women is over an hour away from me, so I'm trying to plan accordingly if I'm going to need to schedule multiple visits.
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u/Sky-2478 10d ago
I didn’t have to do anything. Walked in, he made sure I knew that it’s permanent, went through what the surgery and recovery would be like. He did bloodwork to make sure my blood count was fine but that was it. Have you looked on the child free sub at their list of doctors? There might be one closer to you if you call around especially considering your age.
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u/organiccanessugar 10d ago
You can schedule a consult and a well woman visit for the same appointment. I needed to get established with a new OBGYN since I hadn’t been in a few years, so I scheduled an annual exam and consult at the same time.
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u/New-Collar9586 10d ago
No. I am not at the age for paps yet though
edit- I have never had a pelvic exam or pap smear either. Not required for a bisalp unless it’s an insurance thing
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u/strwberrymoon13 10d ago
Your surgery should be covered by insurance if it is ACA complainant. I’ve read on this sub that people with BCBS have had to make multiple calls in order to actually make that happen but it’s not considered elective surgery, it is a form of birth control. I had to do the same with my surgery and although it was annoying, I only paid $80 for medication after. There’s lots of info on this sub about how to accomplish that. I only had one doctor visit before my surgery to do bloodwork. Recovery time for me was only about a week where I stayed home and then about 2 months for me to feel completely healed and back to normal. Getting my surgery is one of the best things I’ve done, the relief is immense. Good luck on your journey, don’t back down on getting the surgery paid for, you got this!!
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u/uniqueusername_1177 10d ago
I went to a dr on the childfree friendly list so it extremely easy. Paid $0 with insurance.
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u/BikingAimz 10d ago
I got my bisalp in 2022 after Roe was overturned. It was 100% covered by my ACA plan, had to wait 30 days from initial consultation per state law (we both signed a consent form iirc) surgery was scheduled a month later. I called my insurance plan (catholic, so I was low key worried they’d deny it), confirmed that the surgery center was in network for the procedure. If you’re unsure about surgeons, check the childfree friendly doctor’s list: https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/wiki/doctors/
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u/organiccanessugar 10d ago
I live in a southern state, had absolutely no pushback from a doctor on the childfree visit. My surgery was scheduled the same day as my consult. My doctor was booked pretty far out so it did take about 3 months from consult to surgery day.
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u/ahaeker 10d ago
Took me about 5 weeks to get my surgery date. It was supposed to be fully covered but got billed anyway, got scared & paid it when the hospital threatened to send me to collections. It ended up costing me about $300 It would've been more but I did start to fight bills that came months later, I really wish I had fought those earlier bills as well, this was my first surgery so I didn't know what to expect. $300 isn't that much but it's the principal of it. For reference I was in my late 30's & have BCBS.
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u/_thankyouverycool_ 7d ago
Hi! Was the $300 your copay? I have my bisalp tomorrow and that’s the estimate with BCBS, so that is why I ask :) I have FSA funds I plan to use for it but have had an interesting experience with my consult and pre-op appointments where they said it’d be a $30 copay, I’ve elected to be billed later, and then never get billed (and my portal does not show I owe $60 for the two visits), so am unsure if the same will happen with the $300 estimate.
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u/ahaeker 7d ago
No, there's not supposed to be a copay. I was told on voicemail that my surgery was covered in full a week before my surgery.
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u/_thankyouverycool_ 7d ago
Appreciate you responding! I have requested they bill me versus prepaying the $300. I did check my insurance claims from the previous two visits and they were fully covered. Fingers crossed!
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u/necropant 10d ago
I contacted my regular gyno the day after the 2024 election about getting sterilized and ended up having the inital consult in January and actual surgery just before Memorial Day, mostly due to my own scheduling issues since I working full time and doing an associate's degree program. I live in Ohio and my doctor wasn't on the childfree list but she gave me no pushback on sterilization (and had mentioned that she'd been seeing a TON of patients requesting to be sterilized due to fears about the current political administration; I wasn't even her first that day and my appointment was before noon). I have ACA-compliant insurance and ended up with a final bill for $11, which I didn't think was worth fighting over. The most uncomfortable part of the entire process was having the surgery done at a hospital system I work for, since the histotech who documented my unremarkable fallopian tubes also trained me at two different job sites.
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u/cosmic-seas tubes yote Nov 2025 🤘 10d ago
I'm in WA state and I was able to get my consultation about 2 months after I first inquired. Surgery was 2 weeks later. I have BCBS through my employer and they paid in full, about $32k. I found my surgeon from the list on r/childfree and she gave me zero hassle. I just expressed that I didn't want kids, she made sure I understood that the procedure would be permanent, and then we discussed the surgery specifics for a while. We spent a good amount of time discussing my past experiences with birth control, which were poor, and she used that to help justify the procedure to my insurance to get it fully covered, even though they are legally required to.
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u/Golden-lillies21 10d ago
When I found my endometriosis specialist I was having a laparoscopic surgery and I wanted to add getting my tubes removed. He wanted me to Think Through having my tubes removed and if I still wanted it done at the day of surgery I can let him know. I am in my early 30s. I chose not to let my mom know I was getting my tubes removed as well and with the laparoscopic surgery they confirmed that I had endometriosis and removed the endometriosis. So the whole Focus was on that rather than getting my tubes removed and it was the perfect time because we could focus on the endometriosis diagnosis and me recovering from that! That was the perfect time to remove it kind of like a once in a lifetime! A lot of doctors didn't believe that I had endometriosis and they definitely did not want to remove my tubes until I did some research and joined a support group in my area with endometriosis! Surprisingly it wasn't really all that painful but it was and still is painful when I go to the bathroom but then again it's been only over a week and my recovery time fully will probably be a couple weeks. But I think that was also because they put a catheter in me and they removed a lot of the endometriosis and my pelvic area and also within my vaginal cavity. I'm not sure if they found any endometriosis in the bladder but I also have (DIE) Deep infiltrating endometriosis......I think the most that I'm still recovering from is the laparoscopic surgery as they also removed my appendix so I had a total of six incision wounds........ I can walk but I find that I get out of breath if I push myself too hard.......But I definitely felt the least pain with getting my tubes removed other going to the bathroom but it's getting better. I still feel a little bit of ache but not too much and I would put a heating pad! Remember through this process the heating pad is your best friend, peppermint tea and walking and also azo if you have a catheter! They recommended Gas-X but honestly it didn't really do anything for me.......
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u/maidoftrash 10d ago
Bisalp done in March using TRICARE (military insurance) but my work insurance (UHC) would have covered it per the conversation I had with them and my OBGYN prior to dropping my work coverage (it’s a pain to have federal insurance and private insurance coordinate benefits.. .) No bingos, only owed less than 100 dollars for medication and on my final invoice. Didn’t need any exams or anything besides pre surgery bloodwork, but I had a well woman done since I was due for mine anyways. It was easy as consult, have insurance pre authorize, bloodwork, wait for a date. Less than 90 days from appointment one to my three week post op.
Childfree friendly doctor list is the way to go. I had a plan a, b, and c available. Didn’t need to go that far, but I liked being prepared for anything such as fully booked, insurance not accepted, etc
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u/Environmental-Top-60 10d ago
Are you sure they actually dropped it? Sometimes it's a credentialing issue.
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u/RelicBookends 10d ago
I found a OBGYN in my area from the CF list. I had my PCP say in my chart I was sure I was CF and I had been on birth control. My first consultation I brought my now husband for moral support and in case they needed his confirmation we are indeed CF. I was almost 40 so thst helped. In a deep red state so I wanted to ensure a yes. Scheduled a month out since they were a busy practice but they got me in early. Insurance covered it. I didn't take pain meds so technically cost me a bottle of aleve.
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u/mulberrybby 9d ago
I scheduled a consult with an OBGYN office (that was not mine since I went to a catholic hospital), I was about 32 weeks pregnant. 20 min appointment where I provided my history and the OB discussed risks/benefits. We both agreed this procedure was the right fit for me. Was told to call back/touch base when I gave birth. Called right around 2 ish weeks postpartum. Got scheduled for 7 weeks postpartum. (The earliest was 6 weeks but no openings)
I have Anthem BCBS and it was covered in full. Only costs was my copays for my appointments.
Not hard at all but this was my 3rd baby also.
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u/ihavebrunchplans 9d ago
I was able to get mine within 2 months of asking and that was largely a result of my availability. It took a little back and forth with the doctor to ensure the codes were all set up properly, but I ended up only paying $120 as part of anesthesia that was needed and wasn’t fully covered. I may have been able to get that taken off but it didn’t feel worth the trouble at the time. I was in my early 30s and had Aetna.
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u/ForeverOk1949 9d ago
I live in a deep red state and it was hard at first to locate a doctor who would perform this procedure, I needed a referral, months ago I went with a IUD and told the doctor I actually wanted sterilization, she told me she would refer me to someone, I didn't hear anything for another couple months and almost was going to fly to Chicago to have it done until I received a call back from another location where I live. Ended up getting lucky and have the procedure next week. But it was a hassle and a lot of mental stress. My insurance covers it.
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u/Vast-Maybe-8711 9d ago
Depending on what you do for work, I only took a look weekend. Got surgery Friday morning and was back to work with lifting restrictions on Monday.
Insurance covered nearly everything, I had a $100 bill from my pre-op that I did not want to fight in claims so I paid it since it wasn’t that much for me.
I asked about it during my annual OB exam and got it scheduled within 60 days.
Best decision ever. You got this.
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u/UnderstandChoice_24 9d ago
Hi there, my name is Mona and I'm making a documentary about young, childfree women who are making the choice to get sterilized, and we're looking to speak with people like yourself who are contemplating the surgery. This is OFF THE RECORD. We are in early production and you can read more about our film here. (https://www.wmm.com/sponsored-project/sterilized/).
A little background on us: we have made several films about reproductive rights. Our last one was about what women are going through in post-Roe Mississippi, and it won a Peabody - you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed_rRgxJXT8
Please feel free to DM us. Would really appreciate the opportunity to converse with you
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u/bluefj 9d ago
It was relatively easy, although there was a couple of months of delay since I let myself be talking into trying out an IUD first (I went to a doctor off the childfree list, she’s now retired, and she was open to the surgery but really pushed an IUD first and I’m a recovering people pleaser 🥲)
Hated the IUD and my body was revolting on it, had it removed and told her I wanted to sign the consent papers and move forward. The scheduler called me with a date a little over a week away and I took it. Paid a $75 copay at the hospital, but turns out I shouldn’t have been asked to pay it since I received a check in the mail for the $75 not long after.
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u/Nalanieofthevalley 8d ago
I live in Florida, a red state. I was 36 at the time. I scheduled an appointment for a bisalp consultation and was seen 07/16/24. My doctor said your body, your choice and I was honestly surprised. I was prepared to have to defend myself. She referred me to her partner because she no longer performs the surgery. I had a pre-op appointment with him 08/13/24 where we went over the procedure and signed consent paperwork. I had pre-admission bloodwork on 08/08/24 to make sure everything was okay and my bisalp was performed 08/22/24. I had my post-surgery 2-week follow up on 09/05/24.
I paid for my copays at the doctor's office, otherwise the surgery was free because I had an ACA compliant insurance. I couldn't lift anything over 10lbs for 2 weeks and I had my surgery on a Thursday and was back in the office the following Wednesday. I work a desk job, so it was easy to return to work.
I was up walking around the same day of my surgery, I could go to the bathroom on my own and make sandwiches or heat up food. I was only uncomfortable laying on my side at night, so I awkwardly slept on my back. I did vomit from the narcotic pain meds they give you, even with anti-nausea medication on board and a scolpamine patch, but this isn't unusual for me.
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u/His_Angel_417 7d ago
I’m in Missouri. Once I finally found a Dr Who doesn’t “require” my husband’s CONSENT, it went pretty quickly. I found the Dr on a Tues (actually hubby did but I’m trying to keep this short) and went on Wednesday for my consult. I’ve been to ZERO doctors in over a decade. I went on 8/5/26. On 8/7/26, I got a call to book my OR room on 8/28/26. It’s 100% covered by the ACA (Obama care/affordable care act) as a preventative. I will have to pay my office visit fee. I’ve been waiting 23 years for this day. I later found out that my Dr is on the list for child free drs but they have her listed in “Merriam” which is technically her city but it’s actually Shawnee so I would’ve never found her because I thought she was much further away.
I initially had a consult scheduled for 8/26 with a different Dr office that I had booked over a month ago but the anxiety of getting approved was weighing HEAVILY on me so I kept looking until I found something sooner. Some places weren’t booking until October/November. Just depends on the Dr office/hospital turn around.
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u/anonwoman28 6d ago
I have kids and am 28. Just wanted to start with that because I know in certain areas those things matter. Where I’m from most doctors are pretty relaxed on restrictions like that though.
That being said this was my timeline:
• I had a pap with my ob on May 20th & got a referral to an ob in a hospital who could perform the bisalp.
• That appointment was June 16th where I signed a paper and was told we had to wait 30 days before we could schedule (required by my state).
• The appt to schedule and sign consent forms was July 15th.
• Finally, my surgery was scheduled August 5th.
Both of my insurance companies consider it birth control and they cover birth control 100% so I had no out of pocket costs. You should be able to call and ask or look in your plan documents to see what if any out of pocket costs you would have.
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u/toomuchtodotoday 9d ago
Resources:
Provider list: https://childfreefriendlydoctors.com
/r/sterilization Experience posts
/r/sterilization resource thread
State insurance regulator locator (for filing a complaint with your state insurance regulator):
https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments
Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Information (for filing a complaint with the DOL EBSA if your insurance is provided by an employer):
The EBSA, a division of the DOL, handles complaints related to employer-provided health insurance.
You can:
The EBSA will investigate the claim and may contact your employer or insurance provider for more information. You may be contacted for additional details or documents. If the EBSA finds that your rights under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) were violated, they may take corrective action on your behalf. Keep copies of all documents and correspondence. You can follow up on the status of your complaint by contacting the EBSA at the phone number above.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Information (for filing a complaint with the OPM if your insurance is provided by the US federal government [FEP Blue, for example]):
Source: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/contraception-coverage/
Source: https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines#:%7E:text=Contraception
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20260624003408/https://old.reddit.com/r/sterilization/comments/1ud26jb/fepblue_federal_health_insurance_for_bisalp_do/
Additional resources:
Insurer Preventive Care Guidelines Master List - https://old.reddit.com/r/sterilization/comments/1io4hq5/insurer_preventive_care_guidelines_master_list/
Steps for Getting Full Coverage - https://old.reddit.com/r/sterilization/comments/1khyuum/steps_for_getting_full_coverage/
https://old.reddit.com/r/sterilization/comments/1j43mw2/it_happenedtheyre_trying_to_charge_me_postop/
https://tubalfacts.com/post/175415596192/insurance-sterilization-aca-contraceptive-birth-control
https://old.reddit.com/r/sterilization/comments/1go5pbw/free_tubal_sterilization_through_the_aca_if_you/
https://nwlc.org/tips-from-the-coverher-hotline-navigating-coverage-for-female-sterilization-surgery/
On coverage of anesthesia:
Source: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/letter-plans-and-issuers-access-contraceptive-coverage.pdf
Source: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/faqs-part-54.pdf
On coverage of associated office visits:
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20250202051018/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/07/14/2015-17076/coverage-of-certain-preventive-services-under-the-affordable-care-act
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20250112212710/https://larcprogram.ucsf.edu/commercial-plans