tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post847089460815301069..comments2024-01-02T06:57:26.352-05:00Comments on Life and Love in the Petri Dish: You knew REs were well-paid, but did you know they were THIS well-paid?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-81642656556089343762009-03-03T09:13:00.000-05:002009-03-03T09:13:00.000-05:00Reproductive endocrinology is a business and that ...Reproductive endocrinology is a business and that is the problem with the whole US medical system. It's turned into a business, and as a result, prices are very inflated. If your insurance doesn't cover IVF, then you pay out of pocket. It's not about medicine or the patient anymore. It used to be that way, say, twenty years ago or more. I grew up with a father who was a doctor. I've seen it change. He has seen it change. When you have a father who is as traditional as western doctors get who thinks our medical system is screwed, you know something is wrong. That's not to say there are not ethical doctors out there. They are just fewer and farther between.Phoebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07668069274859889749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-71885927711452622472009-03-01T01:22:00.000-05:002009-03-01T01:22:00.000-05:00As a Canadian, most of the American health care sy...As a Canadian, most of the American health care system bothers me. Health is a basic human right. However, baby makin' isn't a health issue. I suppose they can charge whatever they want and while sad, I can't think of any reason why that's objectionable in theory. <BR/><BR/>Then again, that same theory applies to professional sports and I find athletes' incomes objectionable. <BR/><BR/>Were I an IVF doctor, I'd want to help people more than myself. There's no way I'd charge that much. <BR/><BR/>(And I think Duck is mistaken. A friend who has wanted IVF told me recently that it's closer to $15,000.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-71449911159097370312009-03-01T01:21:00.000-05:002009-03-01T01:21:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Benjamin Loewenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16006009995269729267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-38124057641346099242009-02-26T18:41:00.000-05:002009-02-26T18:41:00.000-05:00My RE experience is small, but it does seem that t...My RE experience is small, but it does seem that these particular doctors are available all the time. Even more than an OB/GYN who is delivering babies. While I think that $3 million is quite a lot, they might be earning their money.<BR/><BR/>Also, the nurses, receptionists, case managers, etc. that I encountered seemed REALLY happy with their jobs - which indicates to me that they are probably well paid.areyoukiddingmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16107214079237461141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-38098587298363731692009-02-26T12:28:00.000-05:002009-02-26T12:28:00.000-05:00It is a lot of money, but I think about all the CE...It is a lot of money, but I think about all the CEO's of these companies asking for bailout money. They are paid way more, with more perks for doing less than what my RE does.G$https://www.blogger.com/profile/05010373805685335151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-58359126233971607372009-02-26T12:07:00.000-05:002009-02-26T12:07:00.000-05:00Dora! We have heard that one. Luckily, I don't thi...Dora! <BR/><BR/>We have heard that one. Luckily, I don't think any of the RE's I know are anywhere near the bottoms of their class. <BR/><BR/>MoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671855540466269330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-37942231442230672512009-02-26T11:28:00.000-05:002009-02-26T11:28:00.000-05:00Have you guys heard this one?What do you call some...Have you guys heard this one?<BR/><BR/>What do you call someone who graduated at the BOTTOM of his med school class?<BR/><BR/>Doctor. :-|<BR/><BR/>Will, I think you make some good points, but if REs really wanted to help people they could advocate for better insurance coverage for infertility.Dorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16255190971670471758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-16857194146674621892009-02-26T01:37:00.000-05:002009-02-26T01:37:00.000-05:00I also love my RE but this leaves me a little bit ...I also love my RE but this leaves me a little bit conflicted. We, like many of you, pay out of pocket for everything - every blood draw, u/s, syringe. It's brutal and I often joke that it's too bad we can't have a "free baby" like every one we know! <BR/><BR/>Everyone makes such good points about drawing the most talent to the field which means higher success rates, etc. But I wonder - does it really have to cost so very much?! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thoughtful question! Happy ICLW.MissMVKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12454986676679634784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-8775206683091065632009-02-25T20:42:00.000-05:002009-02-25T20:42:00.000-05:00It is truly out of control. Really. Ridiculous tha...It is truly out of control. Really. Ridiculous that anyone would be paid that much, while charging people like me nearly 15,000 a pop plus meds(**starts looking for available NP jobs at Fertility Clinics). <BR/><BR/>But then again, aren't we all out for $$. That being said, at least strike a balance...offer discounts based on salary, sliding scale IVF? I don't know, so people below a certain income can still get their foot in the door? <BR/><BR/>I mean, I'm all for making money, but 3 million....come on.'Murgdan'https://www.blogger.com/profile/00740095971968567222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-73086768339435412432009-02-25T20:23:00.000-05:002009-02-25T20:23:00.000-05:00Will-I'm just bitter I didn't realize I would love...Will-<BR/>I'm just bitter I didn't realize I would love embryology and I am trapped in a chemistry lab hoping I don't get cancer from the chemicals. Toiling in the lab can be fun or awful for sure. Also Cornell is cutting edge and really do go out of their way to advance knowledge. That is how I rationalized the price of the cycles there. Also, my RE there was the most compassionate of all the REs I've been to or had consults with. I think I am just peeved at the industry in general because it really has drained us dry. Makes me wonder how certain unemployed women swing this when we are both killing ourselves to be able to afford it. I do think part of the reason MDs charge so much is the crippling cost of schooling. I don't agree with the amount it costs to put someone through medical school. It should be heavily subsidized... at least for the people who do well in school. 50% of the graduating class has to be in the bottom 50% right. <BR/><BR/>Don't mind my bitterness. I've had a few hack REs on my way to cornell who I am sure were raking in a lot of money and wreaking havok on patients like me with poor choices and overmedication. sigh.<BR/>NicoleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-87831788864781694582009-02-25T20:22:00.000-05:002009-02-25T20:22:00.000-05:00Will-I'm just bitter I didn't realize I would love...Will-<BR/>I'm just bitter I didn't realize I would love embryology and I am trapped in a chemistry lab hoping I don't get cancer from the chemicals. Toiling in the lab can be fun or awful for sure. Also Cornell is cutting edge and really do go out of their way to advance knowledge. That is how I rationalized the price of the cycles there. Also, my RE there was the most compassionate of all the REs I've been to or had consults with. I think I am just peeved at the industry in general because it really has drained us dry. Makes me wonder how certain unemployed women swing this when we are both killing ourselves to be able to afford it. I do think part of the reason MDs charge so much is the crippling cost of schooling. I don't agree with the amount it costs to put someone through medical school. It should be heavily subsidized... at least for the people who do well in school. 50% of the graduating class has to be in the bottom 50% right. <BR/>NicoleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-27582072125908927362009-02-25T20:01:00.000-05:002009-02-25T20:01:00.000-05:00It is important to realize that these two RE physi...It is important to realize that these two RE physicians are outliers. In fact, all of these docs represent a very small number of highly compensated health care professionals, even within their own specialty. I am sure that the junior - or less well known - members in their groups are well paid, but earn a much smaller sum.<BR/>Given that this was a sample of individuals from private institutions, it is heartening that the top salaries are huge, but not so much compared to banking and sports. <BR/>So, why so high salaries? The docs I see on this list are actually not the wealthiest doctors I know. Not by a long shot. The ones that do really well have opened large scale enterprises - MRI centers, dialysis centers, botox centers, etc. - or have developed a successful new medical device and patented it. The docs on this list have been fortunate in many respects, but also have impressive CVs. They have toiled in labs and produced a wealth of medical knowledge. They have pioneered new techniques, perhaps at times when their colleagues were shaking their heads in disbelief at why someone would rock the boat. Additionally, I think they have been successful money raisers, either directly through their clinical care or through their gift of shmooze. <BR/>So, sure repro endo is a business. But I wager that the great majority of these docs do it for the love of the science and helping others. It doesn't hurt that it pays well too. Ironically, repro endo docs probably make more on average than cardiothoracic surgeons - but I wouldn't choose either based upon the car they drive. <BR/>-WillWill and Mohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07063536936806790576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-49942457589935192042009-02-25T12:46:00.000-05:002009-02-25T12:46:00.000-05:00I think it is ridiculous. Other countries do it f...I think it is ridiculous. Other countries do it for much cheaper. And without insurance coverage to make treatment an option for everyone, IVF will continue to be an option only for people with extra wads of cash they are willing and able to gamble away while others get rich. <BR/><BR/>It has always bothered me that money is even an issue when it comes to pregnancy, and that some of us simply don't have the option to continue pursuing our dream of parenthood. It's just wrong.lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15455301696832647867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-28682966314134004162009-02-25T11:38:00.000-05:002009-02-25T11:38:00.000-05:00Nepsi, this RE has 2 secretaries. One was a pleasu...Nepsi, this RE has 2 secretaries. One was a pleasure to deal with, the other was a cranky gatekeeper. Actually, I decided against the consult because I realized that my very <I>advanced maternal age</I> and my very poor response to stims was too much for even Cornell's "old girl" specialist to overcome.Dorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16255190971670471758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-29110611758657614642009-02-25T08:34:00.000-05:002009-02-25T08:34:00.000-05:00Doesn't bother me at all. Think of all the people...Doesn't bother me at all. Think of all the people who earn salaries like that. Actors, Star athletes, high powered business execs. Why shouldn't the doctor who works their ass off to give you the most precious part of life earn. My RE earned every penny that she got fro curing me of my fibroid/endo/scar tissue problems and getting me pregnant. And if I could go back in time I would for sure go into reproductive science instead of microbiology. Not for the money. Because of what it means to those of us that can't just get pregnant.Echloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00076557769820933518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-42429280660470755042009-02-25T07:57:00.000-05:002009-02-25T07:57:00.000-05:00Dora-I was reading through and I just saw your not...Dora-<BR/>I was reading through and I just saw your note about the day 3 b/w at cornell and when I had my consult there they did not require that. They do some other E2 measurement that is more sensitive or some such bs but I would have said no way to that for a consult too. Weird. I wonder if it is based on which RE you pick? I already spent a fortune on the crazy tests SIRM wanted before a consult there and I am not willing to do that again since those tests and the consult turned out to be bunk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-9782098839107911482009-02-25T00:55:00.000-05:002009-02-25T00:55:00.000-05:00Holy crap! Given that IVF is more expensive in the...Holy crap! <BR/><BR/>Given that IVF is more expensive in the U.S. than in most other countries, it would seem that the prices are inflated. I guarantee that REs in other (cheaper) countries aren't in that ballpark.<BR/><BR/>But Coach Pete deserves every penny.Baby Smiling In Back Seathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483533946303787478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-90175648584226044892009-02-24T22:45:00.000-05:002009-02-24T22:45:00.000-05:00Although I'm grateful for the medical advances, I ...Although I'm grateful for the medical advances, I think it's mostly about business. And business is about making money. I agree with Nepsi with regards to the nurses. Spend more $$$ on them. They are on the receiving end of our explosions, and the better qualified the nurse, the better the whole ART process, which I think probably correlates directly with live birth success rates.Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653747745881776897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-24797633918327100302009-02-24T22:04:00.000-05:002009-02-24T22:04:00.000-05:00I decided long ago if my kid wants to get an MD I ...I decided long ago if my kid wants to get an MD I won't help support them for it unless they want to be an RE or plastic surgeon. Internists make peanuts in comparison especially considering how much med school costs... engineering phds are full rides in comparison to all those student loans for MDs.<BR/><BR/>It is totally a big business that is why some clinics won't take patients that risk their numbers (like me) or push them toward DE. <BR/><BR/>What I wonder is what the poor nurses are paid and they get the most shit from us patients. They probably get almost nothing in comparison. <BR/><BR/>Also to me being an RE seems way less complicated than say being an oncologist or something like that. There are a few standard procedures/surgeries and a few standard protocols that get tweeked to tailor them to the patient then you need a good, clean lab and an embryologist that knows what they are doing. It isn't brain surgery right. Maybe I am being judgy but I am in a rotten mood tonight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-9678985573808575662009-02-24T21:47:00.000-05:002009-02-24T21:47:00.000-05:00That's pretty well paid. My DH and I were counting...That's pretty well paid. My DH and I were counting up the people waiting in the clinic for ultrasound on the weekend. We lobbed out some figures and guessed at overhead etc but came up with a number of about 3 mill profit - once salaries of employees had been subtracted (and we paid them all 100,000)<BR/>Of course, if we get a baby out of this I couldn't care less. <BR/>No baby? Might start to wonder...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-82640262088012159402009-02-24T21:06:00.000-05:002009-02-24T21:06:00.000-05:00Wow that does seem a little excessive. I too am al...Wow that does seem a little excessive. I too am all about just compensation but with so many struggling to afford it it just seems a little out of balance. The hard part is, that we are stuck with whatever they say it is suppose to be that is what it is. It definitely seems more like a "business".Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03661220372372737455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-26095746102063950282009-02-24T20:45:00.000-05:002009-02-24T20:45:00.000-05:00Dorathanks for the tip - checked out the IVFconnec...Dora<BR/>thanks for the tip - checked out the IVFconnections thread. lively discussion!<BR/><BR/>MoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671855540466269330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-8253698403486222032009-02-24T20:25:00.000-05:002009-02-24T20:25:00.000-05:00This is an interesting topic. There's a good threa...This is an interesting topic. There's a good thread about the article on the IVFC NY board.<BR/><BR/>On a personal note, I was given a hard time from a secretary at Cornell when I wanted to make an appt with a dr there. I knew I could not afford to cycle there, but I wanted this dr's opinion and was willing to pay out of pocket for his consultation fee. The secretary was <I>insisting</I> that I needed to pay an additional $300 for day 3 blood work with their lab, even though I had records of my day 3 b/w from one of the other highly respected NYC clinics. I wound up not having that consultation, but it sure sounded like it was all about the money to me.Dorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16255190971670471758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-50325106773510843192009-02-24T19:01:00.000-05:002009-02-24T19:01:00.000-05:00Yup it is a bit much, I work in doc comp, but, in ...Yup it is a bit much, I work in doc comp, but, in canada so it's hard for me to compare, but, if we pay millions to hockey players and all they do is chase pucks these guys make our dreams come true.... maybe I'm biased because I really like my doc!Nadinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08219960725085412879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160381109996491098.post-18814907788595267222009-02-24T16:35:00.000-05:002009-02-24T16:35:00.000-05:00Wow, I knew they were well paid, but that is a LOT...Wow, I knew they were well paid, but that is a LOT of money.<BR/><BR/>Yes, it's a business, but at the same time, aren't physicians in "the business" to help people? Wouldn't more people be helped if they were able to afford it?littleangelkisseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04140422279498772797noreply@blogger.com