5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Fertility Clinic
If you’re looking into fertility treatment, I am sure you have already spent hours searching the web to find the best doctor. Choosing your treatment team might just be one of the biggest investments you will ever make, and I have made a list of five factors to consider, and hopefully help you make the right decision.
1. Clinic location
Choose a clinic you are comfortable with that is also reasonably close to where you live or work. IVF cycles will most likely require some daily visits to the clinic, so travel time should be a major consideration. Appointments are generally very quick, so you won’t want to talk a day off of work for your monitoring appointments. Working with a clinic that is close to where you work or live will make life a lot easier! If you are using an egg donor you will not need as many monitoring appointments and distance will not be as big of a factor.
2. Reputation
The reputation of the clinic is a very good resource for you to know what to expect. It is important to select an IVF clinic by getting referrals from a primary care doctor, OB/GYN, surrogacy agency or friends and family who have worked with them before. Other fertility professionals, like an agency, work with these clinics regularly and know what direction to point you in! It isn’t about who has the fanciest website.
3. Accessibility to staff
It is important to know whether or not your clinic will be available to answer questions and concerns when the clinic is closed and what happens if your treatment falls on the weekend. Ask about your coordinator at your initial consultation with a potential clinic and find out how the phones are answered and how results are given on weekends or after hours.
4. Finance Team
It is a wonderful asset to a clinic if they have a finance team or a person to speak with in house who handles billing. This process costs a lot of money and a lot is paid for out of pocket. A finance person can see what your insurance does cover as well as give you a very accurate outline of costs to expect. You will have billing questions along the way, and it is nice to know who to call and have a person who knows you and your cycle answer the phone.
5. Services offered
Clinics may offer a range of services, which generally include extensive fertility testing, diagnosis, infertility treatment options, and fertility preservation. Remember to look into the various services provided when deciding what clinic is best for you and your treatment needs.
The importance of your instinct is another key factor to choosing the best clinic for you. You’ll be spending a lot of money with your fertility doctor and treatment team. You want to feel comfortable with your decision, and while convenience and cost are important, do not underestimate your gut feeling.