What Should I Be Looking for in a Fertility Clinic?
It can be overwhelming when first starting a search for a fertility practice. Many patients aren’t sure of what they should be seeking, let alone what they are hoping to find. This is entirely understandable, especially as some couples never before expected to need fertility care. Regardless of your position at that point, kicking off a fertility journey starts with finding the right fertility clinic. There are several core factors patients should consider before making that initial outreach, and we wanted to provide some guidance to help make this decision-making process at least a little easier. Here are the top things to consider when choosing a fertility clinic.
Fertility Clinic Location
Location is important because in many cases, depending on your treatment plan, you’ll need to make frequent visits to your fertility doctor’s office. Many of these visits will be scheduled based on specific timing needs, so you might want to consider finding a fertility clinic that is easy for you to travel to. That being said, patients do sometimes opt for a doctor who will meet their needs well in various ways, even if their fertility clinic location isn’t the most convenient. Regardless of what your needs are, considering how much time you may need to spend traveling to and from your fertility clinic, location should at the very least be something to think about.
Fertility Insurance Coverage
Patients should 100% confirm that their insurance plan provider is accepted by their selected fertility clinic before the first appointment. This is something that patients must get a “yes” or “no” from themselves. It is also up to patients to confirm coverage for their recommended treatment plan. In New York, there are state mandates in place regarding fertility insurance coverage, but the rules and regulations can vary and be confusing. Your insurance provider can assist with these details.
Fertility Doctors
You should be looking for a fertility specialist who is board-certified in medical fields that are specific to reproductive health and fertility. You also want to have an accredited doctor who is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and other organizations that promote reproductive healthcare. When looking at fertility specialists’ profiles, take a look at their career achievements and experience helping growing families. Ideally, you would be able to connect with a practice with multiple specialists who can successfully coordinate care.
Fertility Treatment Services
Not all fertility clinics offer a broad range of treatment services. It is important to note that, even if you have been told that you may only need a less advanced service like intrauterine insemination (IUI), you may eventually require more advanced care like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). If your fertility clinic offers a broad range of care, there would not be any need to switch practices if additional services are needed.
Transparency About the Fertility Journey
Your fertility doctors and their staff should be transparent about all aspects of your fertility care experience, from diagnosis to treatment plan to financials. Hidden fees and surprise details are one of the top complaints within the fertility community – with so many couples already facing considerable stress, it’s truly the last thing anyone wants to deal with. Clinics should have at least basic pricing information available so patients can begin to understand the fees involved in working with this clinic.
Fertility Patient Testimonials
Reading the testimonials of former patients from a clinic can give you a feel for what it’s really like to work with the practice. You can also research patient reviews online, sorting by “new” so you can learn what these reviews have to say about their doctor and the experience of having a certain clinic provide care.
Next Stop, Your Fertility Clinic in NYC
Once you have all these details figured out, you’re in a good position to choose the fertility clinic that’s best for your personal situation. If you’re ready to start your fertility journey in New York City, contact Chelsea Fertility NYC today.