Tubal ligation reversal surgery is considered an elective procedure by most health insurance plans - so you may be reaching into your pocket to cover most of the costs.
If all goes according to plan you will become pregnant soon after, introducing lost income during your maternity leave, along with extra costs for pregnancy and having a newborn to feed and clothe.
It pays to understand the tax code, and leverage supplemental insurance to offset many of your costs.
You will most likely need to pay all of the costs for tubal ligation surgery, because most insurance plans will not cover this elective procedure.
They often will cover your original tubal ligation, but not the reversal.
To understand why, just follow the money.
Tubal ligation stops you from getting pregnant.
Your surgery is much less expensive to cover than a subsequent pregnancy.
Your reversal surgery opens the insurance carrier to extra costs - another pregnancy.
There are two strategies to follow that can lower your out of pocket costs, and return money back into your account.
But you have to think ahead and consider the big picture: use the tax code to cut costs, and supplemental insurance to cash in on your plans to get pregnant.
Your expenses related to your surgery are tax deductible.
You can deduct the expenses on your 1040 or use your flexible spending account.
The cost of your reversal surgery will range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the type of surgery required.
Deducting these expenses on your 1040 will provide tax savings on the amount above 7.
5% of your adjusted gross income - so keep this in mind.
A flexible spending account will provide first dollar tax savings, but may have annual limits below your costs.
Consult your tax advisor before your surgery.
Purchase supplemental insurance before beginning your surgery.
The surgery itself will not be covered, but if complications arise, such as post surgical infection, you may be covered.
You are planning to get pregnant.
Supplemental insurance will cover your normal labor and delivery, generating extra cash to help offset your surgical costs.