What do I do with a BNIB, untampered IUD?!

September 29, 2017 7:13 AM

My doctor prescribed an IUD. I bought it. It was hella expensive. Before my insertion appointment I asked a few questions, and doctor and I both realized the IUD is a bad plan. Pharmacy wouldn't let me return. What do I do with this expensive but useless (to me) piece of plastic?!

I'm in Ontario. My family doctor was super enthusiastic about the IUD and talked me into getting one the last time I saw her. She wrote me a prescription, and I bought one, and made an appointment for insertion.

At that appointment, before we did anything at all-- the actual IUD was still in the box in the saran wrap and everything-- I asked a few questions. Doctor answered, and I became really confused and asked more questions, and then it became clear to both of us that there was a pretty significant miscommunication between she and I, and that the IUD will NOT fix my problems at all, and will probably cause new problems (doctor thought I wanted to treat heavy flow, which I don't have. I have really bad PMS, which IUD won't treat). Doctor felt really bad about rushing me into this, but assured me that it can be returned.

I took the device back to the pharmacy, but was told it'd be illegal for them to take it back. It's obviously probably illegal to sell online. I am a grad student, and insurance only covered partially, and I paid the equivalent of two months' grocery money for the IUD. If I just suck up the expense, I will absolutely not be able to afford the other forms of treatment my doctor is now recommending.

What are my options here? I understand no one is acting maliciously and law is law, but this leaves me in a pretty terrible situation. Ideas welcomed and appreciated!

posted by redwaterman to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Not sure if this is an option, but my experience in the US as an inserter of IUDs is that the company will reimburse the provider a certain amount if the IUD can't be placed. For example, if a patient comes in and requests and IUD, I try to place it, but her cervix is too tight, or it falls on the floor or is damaged somehow, I can send it back to the manufacturer for a refund. So might your doctor's office have a way of requesting reimbursement? Alternately, you might try getting a letter from the doctor saying that you're not a suitable candidate for the IUD and the wrong device was prescribed, and requesting a refund from the manufacturer that way.
posted by stillmoving at 7:27 AM on September 29, 2017 [9 favorites]

I don't have any expert knowledge of IUD returns or Ontario pharmacies, but can see two possible avenues here:

1. Get back in touch with your family doctor. This situation remains a result of her error in not assessing your symptoms more thoroughly. Hopefully her advice to return the IUD was based on knowledge or experience; maybe she can facilitate a return for you. For example, perhaps she can intervene with the pharmacy, or if not, maybe she can help you find an alternative solution (i.e. manufacturer return as mentioned above).

2. Try your insurance company. They also partially paid for the IUD, and perhaps they'd also be interested in recouping their cost. I really don't know if this would work, but it couldn't hurt to call them up, explain the situation, and see if they can help out.

I would try the family doctor before insurance. The fact is that healthcare professionals can make things happen in the health system in ways that individual clients just can't... and this should still be her problem as well as yours.
posted by snorkmaiden at 7:36 AM on September 29, 2017 [6 favorites]

Have you been explicit with your doctor about the bad financial situation she's put you in?

My experience is that doctors often have ways of arranging reduced-cost treatment for a limited number of patients — whether it's "In special situations I can work on a sliding scale" or "I can set a limited number of patients up with manufacturer discounts on prescriptions" or "I can ask a friend for a favor that will get you to the front of the waiting list at a free clinic" or whatever.

My experience is also that doctors often won't share this information unless you've specifically said "I can't afford this." I think they do that as a low-effort way of weeding out people who don't need the discount but might still take it if it was offered. Which is super shitty for people who've been taught not to ask for things or talk money in public, but there you have it.

Anyway, coming right out and saying "Paying for this mistake means I can't afford the other treatment you're suggesting; what options do we have here?" might open some doors. Even if the doctor isn't legally obligated to help you, she presumably wants to see things made right and wants you to get the care you need.
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:18 AM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

I agree with nebulawindphone. I work in a medical practice in a rural area, and we have patients coming pretty frequently that have some kind of financial hardship. We don't offer, but once they ask there is a lot that we can do. While it seems like a lot of medical professionals and supporting staff are uncaring or insensitive to actual humans, we do want to see our patients be healthy as possible both financially, mentally, and bodily.
posted by emkelley at 12:33 PM on September 29, 2017

It may be against policy for the pharmacy to refund, but I doubt it is illegal. Double check on this.

I agree your doctor and the manufacturer likely can resolve this, but what you related sounds more like a company policy vs an actual law.
posted by jbenben at 2:14 PM on September 29, 2017