[momearth]

I am new to Kaiser, California, earlier had Blue cross blue shield PPO and had the liberty to choose our Infertility clinic - but we were not able to do any procedure with our old Infertility clinic as we relocated & also insurance got changed. So i am totally unaware of what to expect from the clinic.....if anyone had any experience with Kaiser - i would love to hear.
Thanks!

[yuki13]

Kaiser has a good program. I had my initial work-up there back in 2005, had 3 cycles of clomid and IUI, all were unsuccessful. Cost-wise, it was very cheap, like less than $100 (if I remember right) for the co-pay for each IUI. Only negative thing I can think of is that I only got to see the doctor once, the rest of the time, it was a PA or NP who saw me for my follow-up ultrasounds. I stopped after the third cycle and felt I was not ready for the injectable and just let nature take its course.
Four years later and still not pregnant, I have decided to get help again. I live in a different state now, no Kaiser here, but I found a very good RE here. Service is very personal and RE is present with each visit.
I hope this helps.

[momearth]

thanks yuki! Even i am seeing NP.... did they do ultrasound for you - they have just given me clomid & asked me to come for IUI whenever i get LH surge using my ovulation kit....no ultrasound to check my follicles :-( Wish u all the luck !!

[yuki13]

yes, I remember getting 1-2 ultrasounds for each cycle. I also used ovulation kits and that part was confusing for me 'coz the lines on on the kits were not that clear, somaybe that's why none of the 3 tries worked. This time around with injectables and IUI, I'm having 4 ultrasounds and bloodwork. I started follistim last night.

[momearth]

Thanks for letting me know...i will make sure they do my ultrasound.... Really that LH surge is very confusing!
Sending u of baby dust

[livinglife1973]

I am currently going through the Kaiser program. I will agree with you that each of my visits after my first one has been with the NP, I was told by the doctor I saw that they do this becasue they do all the first consultation with patients as well as the IVF procedures which does not allow them time to do all the ultrasounds so that is why the NP does them. I do know this about Kaiser, if you are not happy in any way with any of your treatments or if you feel you are not getting answers, email the physician you saw, they will answer you back quickly and will get you the piece of mind you may need. You can also ask when you call on the first day of your cycle you wish to see the MD ONLY, they may give you some grief, but be persistant. Sometimes with Kaiser you have to do this. It is a good program and I have heard alot of good things, but when we as women feel as if we are not being listened to at times, it can be very frustrating especially when we are trying to concieve a child .

I wish you all the luck, please if you have any other questions let me know. I have been a Kaiser member since high school.

[momearth]

@livinglife1973: my case i have always met NP - never met RE even for the first time :-( i am planning to ask for RE next time even though i like the NP i see.

[Schell1978]

I'm also going through the Kaiser program (in Colorado.) The program has equal positives and negatives in my opinion. The positives are that it is pretty cheap...about $400 total for a clomid and IUI cycle, that includes meds (clomid, hcg) one ultrasound to check follies and lining, the sperm processing and the IUI itself. Everyone's plan is different, so the cost will vary for each of us. My MD/RE does all of my ultrasounds and IUI's, which is also a positive. I also like that you can email your RE and he/she will return your email. They will also do phone consultations with you if you are deciding which treatment to do next, at no cost.

The things I don't are that I’m not sure I am getting the best care that I could be. I tried clomid for 5 months and each time, my lining was WAY too thin (this is caused by the clomid,) I wish my RE would have switched my meds when he first realized that it was causing my thin lining. I'm also not thrilled with the drugs that are available to me, pretty much only clomid, letrozole (which one RE didn't recommend, and one did recommend,) and the menopur injectables. Also, one of the RE's that did my last u/s did not find the two cysts on my left ovary, which I was not happy about. I actually had to go to my PCP who ordered another u/s with an u/s tech who ultimately found the cysts. So, I'm not so sure how thorough the RE's are. Also, they don't run a whole lot of tests to see what is causing your infertility. Basically just a semen analysis and an HSG. Those are both great…..but once those are clear and you are still not PG, I feel like they should do additional testing. with Kaiser, you really have to take the initiative yourself. Tell them when you are ready for a change, they will just keep trying to say thing over and over, even if it is not working. Do your research and know when you are ready to move on!

My dentist tried Kaiser with his wife and he thinks they just do enough to make you feel like you are doing something, just to suffice, and then send you on your way. I don't know if this is true or not, I'm sure some women have success with Kaiser. I haven't yet, and am thinking of leaving to go to a regular infertility clinic. But, I will give them a few more cycles since it is so cheap.

Good luck to you!!

[momearth]

thanks Schell1978
yes, kaiser does fall cheap..my IUI was around 200$ but here they did no ultrasound and not trigger shots. nect time even mine will be around $400 as i will pressure them for ultrasound. I was so lost this time - i knew nothing - even if i had any follicles for IUI or not :-(