https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 21:16:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867988 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 20:08:29 +0000 Amorini 2867988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey, I’ll be brief...but I traveled a ways to get to mine. Just a few added logistics but it all worked out!</p> <p>- No insurance. Mine did not even cover diagnostics at the time (not u/s or bloodwork) which I had at a satellite/non-RE clinic.</p> <p>- We have two clinics with 2 hours. I chose the one farther away (about 2 hours) but with a satellite for u/s and bloodwork in my hometown.</p> <p>- The RE in my hometown (a male) that I did not choose had a pretty widely-known reputation for having no bedside manner. The RE farther away was a woman and had a great way about her. We had a paid consult and liked the way they were organized and worked. This is what my initial decision was based on (really...not much) but as we kept going down the path with the chosen RE, it just felt like the right option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867955 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:45:02 +0000 foodiebee 2867955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Insurance? No, we were completely out of pocket for most all of our expenses and I knew we would be going into it.</p> <p>Proximity? Thankfully, we live in the largest city in our state, so there were multiple clinics to choose from and proximity didn't have to be a factor.</p> <p>Reviews/reputation? I ended up getting a referral from my dr and liked the look of the clinic based on what I read/saw online, so we went with them and immediately liked the RE and felt comfortable with her. If we hadn't, I'm sure we would've done more looking around. I know no one in person who has had fertility treatments, so reputation had to be judged totally online and via my dr's referral in my case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867952 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:34:39 +0000 PurplePumps 2867952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Some were complementary (CCRM and MCRM were), but even if they weren't a consult should be covered by insurance?? As far as I know, specialist visit to RE for diagnostic reasons is always/usually covered, but infertility treatment is usually what is not covered. 2.5 hour drive is not bad at all. I know of women who fly all over the US to go to their preferred RE.<br /> I picked the ones I consulted with based on recommendations and proximity. I live in MA, so there are a bunch of top notch clinics in Boston, which I avoided at first due to traffic concerns for monitoring (it'd take an entire morning out of my work days to get into the city plus parking hassles), but I consulted with them after my first clinic didn't work out. I picked CCRM since they are known to be one of the best in the country. Then also MCRM and SIRM based on recommendations from a bunch of people.</p> <p>My RE had also worked with people in Boston before so he was able to recommend a really good local u/s clinic (not a fertility clinic) he had worked with, which happen to be 10 minutes from my work so I could go during lunch and no one was the wiser. And bloodwork I just did at any Quest or LabCorp. Bonus for doing it this way - since the u/s clinic and Quest/LabCorp are not fertility clinics, they don't bill insurance with any fertility codes so it was all submitted at diagnostic or regular testing and covered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867949 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:29:26 +0000 Sams Mom 2867949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: no no no, I was asking the masses 😁 more info the better!</p> <p>I just really don't want to drive 6+ hours round trip + fork out the money for multiple first visits. It's all so so much. </p> <p>For anyone that doesn't follow POAS. I'm 29, our son was an oops on the pull &amp; pray/miscounted days. No chemicals, no miscarriages, supposed normal hormones, just have an F'd thyroid and some extra weight for mysterious reasons as of late 🤷🏼‍♀️</p> <p>If anyone experienced that, could you please share what you tried and what worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867948 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:24:33 +0000 Kaohinani 2867948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I know you were not asking ME (😉) but free consults depend on the physician, as well as, if your insurance covers them. My consult was $25 and included my U/S and hormonal testing (all covered by insurance). The other RE (90 mins away) would have been $40 with everything else covered (but extra gas ...). And then the one my insurance DIDN'T cover offered free consults and initial U/S but no testing --- All other visits would have been $347 out of pocket! Also, if I HAVE to bring my children to any scans with my current RE, it is fine ... the other 2 "preferred strongly" no children in office. It is all in what is most important to you and what meets your personal needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867946 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:15:15 +0000 Sams Mom 2867946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: thank you for making me not feel so crazy about the drive. Did you cull the 3-4 REs in person, via research, calls? </p> <p>Do first consults tend to be complimentary (a couple I've looked at offer that) or is that an exception to the rule? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867935 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:51:25 +0000 PurplePumps 2867935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first one I picked based on insurance and proximity. I read a few good reviews for that RE and they had good stats for my age group. I had 3 cycles there with awful results.<br /> After that I talked to 3 or 4 other REs and went with the one I felt would work best with me and just felt good about, who happen to have amazing reviews as well. I did still require it to be in network since my insurance covered IVF, but proximity didn't matter as much anymore. I was willing to fly for cycles. I ended up a 2.5 hour drive away to seem my RE, and then followed when he moved to a 4 hour drive away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867930 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:36:38 +0000 Chuckles 2867930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I forgot to add: my RE has a special interest in repeat pregnancy loss and had more than 1 miscarriage herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867917 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:17:17 +0000 Kaohinani 2867917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: For me, it was a bit of EVERYTHING. (You know how thorough I can be.) I will attempt to truncate the LONG process a bit:</p> <p>For my current RE (my SECOND one), I -<br /> (1) Asked my OBGYN for references and/or a referral to a RE with an impeccable rep that was within 2 hours driving distance. There were 3 in my area.</p> <p>(2) Out of the 3 referenced REs, 2 were accepted by Tricare. Narrowed THAT down.</p> <p>(3) Began researching the background of both REs and affiliate hospitals, as well as, success rate, and staff.</p> <p>(4) List the Pros and cons for both.<br /> The one I selected is a 40 minute drive, not a 90 minute drive. He has obtained his Board Certifications in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology &amp; Infertility, AND in Clinical Genetics! (YOU know I LOVE my genetics!) My RE is the Professor &amp; Chairman of Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology at Mercer University School of Medicine, as well as the Director of BOTH the Fertility Institute Navicent Health AND the Oncogenetics Navicent Health Oncology Center. On top of it, he specializes in:Reproductive Endocrinology (hormones involved in reproduction), Reproductive Genetics, Infertility, Endometriosis, Advanced Laparoscopic Laser Surgery, Leiomyomata Uteri (fibroids) with fertility preservation, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, and (the one that you KNOW scared me the most) Menopause.</p> <p>(5) I had my OBGYN put in a referral, called insurance to verify, and set up an appt STAT since REs are usually booked months out.<br /> The rest is HISTORY-- we begin injectables next month and IUI in 2 mos if BD-ing doesn't make baby. 😁 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867908 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:01:15 +0000 cake2017 2867908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: My OB referred me to my RE. She’s been great and they work together so communication was very easy. My insurance covered everything(testing, meds). All my docs are in another county because I use to live there. It’s a 35 minute drive and worth it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867901 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:53:24 +0000 agold 2867901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: No, mine was about 20 minutes away, but I took a pricey toll road to get there. It was close to my work, however, so very easy to get to work after each morning appointment. I cannot imagine having to go to anything that is three hours away on a regular basis. But in order to have our babies, I would do whatever it takes. I hope you can find a great option in a convenient location. This is all hard enough without having to add such a commute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867898 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:44:36 +0000 SweetiePie 2867898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had 2 friends who had used the same RE. One for IVF and another for just medication (clomid). They both liked him and had success so I went with him.<br /> My insurance covered nothing except meds. So it didn’t matter who I went to for that aspect.<br /> He moved practices between my first and second kids so I just followed him to the new practice. </p> <p>If there was anything I strongly disliked about him, I would have asked around for another recommendation. Fortunately I clicked well with him and my husband also liked him (rare with a doctor). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867896 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:43:42 +0000 Sams Mom 2867896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I'm hoping maybe my OB/GYN clinic can do some of the U/S &amp; blood work </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867895 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:42:25 +0000 Chuckles 2867895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: wow. That's crazy that there's no one closer. How would that even work with so much monitoring that usually happens? Could you have bloodwork done at a closer lab and the results sent to the RE? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867894 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:42:21 +0000 Sams Mom 2867894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The funny thing is I don't live in BFE, it's the 3rd or 4th largest city in my state 🤷🏼‍♀️</p> <p>There is a satellite clinic for one major clinic in my town, BUT the main clinic and this clinic have the WORST reviews ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867891 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:37:23 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2867891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: no the branch office was 15 min away, the main office would have been about 45 but we only had to go there once. I had my pick of places that would have all been under an hour away. My GYN recommenced one practice but not a specific doctor within the practice. That allowed me to research to find the best fit based on a number of factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867889 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:36:09 +0000 erinbaderin 2867889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor referred me to somebody. When that person left the practice she was at, I switched to a different doctor at that practice who had actually done my first IUI and whose bedside manner I'd liked. After my IVF failed and my doctor said she wouldn't do anything different the second time around I went looking for second opinions, and met with somebody who was more expensive but who I liked much better - he seemed to be really up to date on the latest technology and research, and seemed interested in figuring out why I wasn't getting pregnant.</p> <p>I don't have to deal with a lot of the factors you mentioned, though - I'm Canadian so they were all "covered" (in that some stuff is covered, most stuff isn't) the same. All my doctors were actually in the same building, which was far from my house (sucked for weekend monitoring) but close to my work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867888 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:35:56 +0000 Sams Mom 2867888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: my problem is that is the closest RE to where I live 🤦🏼‍♀️ I haven't checked into the other city that is about 2 1/2 hours away yet ☹️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867887 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:34:42 +0000 Chuckles 2867887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I chose ours based on a family member's recommendation, plus feedback from someone in my neighborhood moms group. I also factored in proximity and hours. Unless you have an extremely flexible schedule or stay at home, I would definitely not choose someone so far away. There are so many appointments and many of them are like 20 minutes or less for bloodwork and/ultrasound. I guess unless you have some specific more rare issue and the doctor specialized in it - then I could see traveling farther.<br /> ETA: and in-network wars also important to me. We're lucky though in that we're in a major metropolitan area with lots of options </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867884 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:31:08 +0000 Sams Mom 2867884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: @Ajsmommy: @agold: was any of your REs 3+ hours away?</p> <p>@Ajsmommy: good to know, I'm waiting for the list from my OB/GYN now, so hopefully there will be multiple. I'm also hoping they give me a heads up on who to avoid or don't include them on the list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867865 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 13:37:32 +0000 agold 2867865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose based on close friend recommendation and also what my insurance would cover (which was not too much, but still better than nothing). Thinking back, proximity and office hours would be great to know. You spend so much time at the RE that if the office hours were during your work hours, that would be a major inconvenience. My RE always had me in at like 630 or 7 am. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867862 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 13:32:47 +0000 Ajsmommy 2867862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ask for recommendations. I was given one referral from my obgyn so we went with it...I wish I'd done more research and asked others. After months of treatments I wanted a second opinion and found a different re that was much more suited to me!! Wish I'd been with them the whole time</p> <p>ETA: answering the questions!<br /> Insurance?--we had to pay 100% out of pocket. The original RE we went to was $$$$, the second one was much less and as stated I wish we'd worked them from the get go</p> <p> Proximity?--luckily for me both were pretty convenient. but the cheaper/better one was a bit further. I would have driven that far though bc I liked them that much more. I will say that the drive should be considered bc there was one month that I went to the office Friday afternoon, sat morning, sat afternoon, sunday morning and again Monday morning.. so I was there a LOT</p> <p> Reviews/reputation?--the $$$$ we were sent to by my OBGYN has great reviews and reputation the other one I found later also had great reviews but not a huge reputation</p> <p> Cost?--first one was 3-4 times more expensive than the second one I found</p> <p> Did you interview/go to different ones?--I did not but wish I had. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867854 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 13:03:20 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2867854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reviews and recommendations played pretty high in my choice, thankfully my insurance covers infertility up to IUI and everywhere I looked took my insurance. Location played a pretty close second, I went with close to home rather then work to make it easier to avoid traffic for those early morning appts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-choose-your-re#post-2867850 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:43:51 +0000 Sams Mom 2867850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess the question is in the title.</p> <p>Insurance?<br /> Proximity?<br /> Reviews/reputation?<br /> Cost?<br /> Did you interview/go to different ones?</p> <p>Is there one you would willingly forgo for other factors... Like choose out of network (higher cost) for someone with better reviews? Or drive further (drastically further) to get in network or a better doctor?</p> <p>My insurance doesn't cover REs, so that point won't really apply to me, but I want to know if that was a factor at all/how it rated in your priorities. </p>