There is no denying 2020 was a challenging year for all of us. But for women with painful uterine fibroids, it was extremely challenging. Quarantine with heavy or painful periods, access to services and procedures reduced or on hold, limited toilet paper and feminine product supplies on store shelves, and in some cases the inability to schedule a fibroid removal procedure all contributed to the stress. Many are looking forward to putting the difficult year behind us. It is now 2021: Time to start thinking about enjoying a year without uterine fibroids by scheduling your UFE procedure today.
At Fibroid Institute Dallas, we treat fibroids using Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. Compared to surgery the process is shorter, and your recovery time is faster. If you schedule your UFE procedure now, you will be able to enjoy the rest of your year fibroid free.
Imagine 2021 Without These Fibroid Symptoms
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Heavy bleeding, which can be heavy enough to cause anemia
- Irregular menstruation
- Constipation or urinary frequency
- Painful sex
- Pain radiating to the lower back, hip, buttock, thigh, or down the leg
- Bloating and swelling
Researchers estimate that 70-80% of all women develop uterine fibroids between the ages of 35 and 54. They also can occur in women younger than 35 and until menopause. Fibroids are tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. They develop in the uterus, tend not to stay the same size, and can also increase in quantity. That is one reason why fibroid treatment is so important.
Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow
Have you heard that saying “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”? When Benjamin Franklin said it, he wasn’t talking about fibroid removal. However, it does apply. At the start of a new year sometimes patients think they must wait to have procedures because they have not yet met their insurance deductible. A deductible is the amount of money patients are responsible for paying out of pocket before their insurance company will start paying for medical expenses such as surgeries, procedures, tests, or doctor visits. However, waiting can delay the amount of time it takes before a single or family deductible is met. It can take longer to pay smaller expenses with office visits, prescriptions, etc. throughout the year than getting it done early on with one procedure.
The benefits of having a UFE procedure done earlier in the year include:
- Understanding your insurance and satisfying your deductible sooner
- Spend less on medical expenses throughout the year with a met deductible
- Stop the pain, heavy flow, and other fibroid symptoms
- Enjoy your year no longer worrying about fibroids
Don’t Let A Deductible Keep You from Living Pain-Free
Maximize Insurance Benefits
Most insurance companies cover the cost of UFE. Even with a deductible to meet, there are options to keep fibroid removal treatment financially possible. At the top of the list in terms of maximizing your insurance benefits is taking advantage of a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) you may have.
HSA is a tax-favored savings account to help pay for medical expenses. Contributions are 100% deductible. Unlike flexible spending accounts (FSA), the money that you do not use isn’t forfeited at the end of the year. It continues to grow. If you have not used it yet for 2020, it could be a nice amount of money to get you feeling better now.
FSAs have benefits, too—especially if you do not qualify for an HSA. FSA lets you pay for qualified out-of-pocket healthcare expenses on a pre-tax basis. The money you contribute is not subject to payroll taxes, so you end up taking home more of your paycheck.
More importantly, patients who have FSAs can continue using the previous year’s money until the end of March 2021. They have until March 15 to use their 2020 remaining funds in their FSA and until March 31 to file a claim. Estimates are that more than $400 million is forfeited every year in FSA funds from patients who forget or do not have an opportunity to use their previous year funds for medical expenses. If you have FSA funds, you can use those to pay toward your deductible with the UFE procedure.
Other Financing Options
Suzanne Slonim, MD is the #1 most experienced fibroid doctor in Dallas/Fort Worth specializing in Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Dr. Slonim helps patients in all situations as much as possible, including offering financing options. The following options are available for patients with Fibroid Institute Dallas:
1. Care Credit
Care Credit is like a credit card. It helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses such as fibroid removal treatments. Once you are approved, you can keep using it to cover costs not covered by insurance.
2. LightStream
Unlike Care Credit, this is a personal loan and can be used for a variety of medical or personal expenses. But with fixed rates as low as 2.49%, eligible patients have more flexibility than ever.
3. Peerform
Another loan program that offers unsecured lending at low, fixed rates.
4. Zirtue
Zirtue is a relationship-based lending application that simplifies loans between friends, family, and trusted relationships with automatic ACH loan payments.
Plan Now to Be Free from Fibroids for the Rest of the Year
The key to treating yourself to a new year without uterine fibroids is to act now. While the UFE procedure only takes about an hour and offers a quicker recovery time than surgery (7 days for most patients), there are a few simple steps you must take to move forward.
1. Consultation
You will need a formal consultation before scheduling your procedure. Doing so allows us to learn more about your specific situation and symptoms to deliver the best care possible. Telehealth consults and/or in-office appointments are available. In fact, schedule a consult appointment now.
2. MRI
If we determine after this initial consultation that you are likely a good candidate for the procedure, we will order your pelvic MRI. This imaging process will assess in more detail the appearance, location, size, and vascularity of your fibroids and assist Dr. Slonim in planning your treatment.
3. Procedure
UFE is a low-risk alternative to surgery. It offers quicker recovery time because of its ability to shrink fibroids rather than using invasive methods to remove them. X-ray guidance locates the vessels that supply blood to your fibroids. Small particles are then injected into the vessels, blocking blood flow to fibroids and causing the fibroids to shrink and die. The best part is that this procedure is 90% effective in reducing symptoms. Just a few additional advantages of UFE include:
- Dramatic reduction in fibroid symptoms
- In-office procedure instead of hospital stay
- No scarring
- Uterus is spared
- Tiny wrist puncture, no need for vaginal access
- General anesthesia not required
- Procedure typically takes less than an hour
- All fibroids may be treated at the same time
- Less risk than fibroids surgery
4. Timing
As we mentioned earlier, it usually takes 7 days to recover. In some patients, it can take 5 days and others 10 days. If you want to enjoy your year now and take advantage of any HSA or FSA funds before the deadline, plan to have your procedure soon.
Get a FREE Phone Screening with Fibroid Institute Dallas
Do you have questions about your fibroid symptoms or treatment options? Would you like to get rid of your uterine fibroids now instead of waiting later in the year? At Fibroid Institute Dallas, we are dedicated to treating fibroids and helping you enjoy the year pain-free. Request a free 10-15 minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible for Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. After the screening, if you are a good candidate for UFE, you can schedule your consultation.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of UFE. Thousands of women have had their fibroids symptoms treated with UFE by Dr. Suzanne Slonim, the leading Dallas fibroids doctor and the founder of Fibroid Institute Dallas. A 5-star rated fibroid doctor, Dr. Slonim has performed over 30,000 procedures in 25+ years. She is voted as a top doctor by D Magazine, listed in Super Doctors by Texas Monthly and honored with the Women in Business Award by the Dallas Business Journal.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
Fibroid Institute Dallas serves the DFW area including Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, HEB, Arlington, Hutchins, Irving, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, and all of North Texas.