Fertility Clinic in Philadelphia: 7 Helpful Things to Keep in Mind for Your Search

Choosing a fertility clinic in Philadelphia can be challenging. On top of the emotional stress that comes with fertility struggles, finding the right clinic involves sorting through insurance coverage, treatment options, finding the right doctor, and more. If you are struggling with infertility, I am so sorry for the difficulty you are facing. For those just getting started with your search, here are some things to consider in the process. This is not an endorsement of any particular clinic, but rather a guide for you in your search process.

7 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Fertility Clinic in Philadelphia

1. Check for Insurance Coverage

First, you’ll want to figure out your insurance details. Unfortunately, infertility care is not often considered an essential benefit under most health plans and treatments that may be covered vary widely from plan to plan. You’ll need to check with your specific insurance company to understand your benefits. While cost may not be your final deciding factor, it is important to know what to expect. If you are lucky to have some sort of coverage, check next to see if the clinic you’re interested in takes your insurance plan.

2. Consider Location

Some treatments may require visits every few days to an office for monitoring that is time-sensitive. If a clinic is far from your home, this could mean added travel costs. Keep this in mind when making your decision.

3. Look Up Success Rates

Every fertility clinic in Philadelphia (and nationally) is required to report their IVF success rates to the government. This data can be found on the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology’s website, sart.org. Look for the most recent year’s data related to live birth success rates. A higher success rate is a sign that the doctors are good at what they do, but it may

4. Check Credentials

Make sure your doctor is board certified and, ideally, sub-specialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. This ensures that the physician you work with has met the highest standards of the field and is staying up to date on the latest research and technology.

5. Find Out About Testing and Treatment Options

A good fertility clinic in Philadelphia should offer extensive testing that covers the different stages, from diagnostic fertility testing to genetic carrier screening to embryo testing. It’s also good to find a clinic that offers a variety of treatment options so that your plan of care is personalized for you.

6. Get All Your Questions Answered

There are a lot of other, more specific questions that you may want to ask your clinic or doctor. What’s important is that they take the time to answer all of them fully. If they aren’t willing to answer them up front, it may not be the best fit for you.

7. Remember, Choosing a Doctor is Personal

Finding the right clinic may largely depend on finding the right doctor for you. This will be different from person to person, and it’s important that the doctor you choose is someone you feel comfortable with who is also successful at helping his or her patients. Feel free to make more than one consultation appointment so you can gather a couple different opinions and meet multiple doctors.

To find a fertility clinic in Philadelphia, you can ask friends, family, and your physician for recommendations or start with a search online, but be sure to choose what feels right for you and your family. Fertility treatment is a significant decision and one that is worth the time to research clinics ahead of time.

Here are some other recent posts on my blog:

Milestone Sessions: What They Are, When to Do Them, and What to Expect

Baby Landyn’s Floral and Swan Themed Nursery

Considering Hospital Newborn Photography? Read This First