Once I'm a patient, what number do I call with questions?
General questions regarding your treatment once you are an established patient should be directed to the infertility nurses desk 704-355-3149. An available nurse will answer your call or you may be directed to leave a message. Please provide us with a phone number where we will be able to leave a detailed message on an answering machine or voice mail at home or work. We will assume this number and answering machine / voice mail is confidential and accessible only by you. Between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. messages may be left with phone mail or our answering service to be returned later that day. Messages left after 3 p.m. will be returned the following day. After clinic hours an on-call physician is available for emergency calls via our answering service.

Do you provide any counseling or support services?
We understand that you may have periods of time when you are anxious and frustrated. We realize this situation and wish to allay any fears or difficulties by providing as much information as we can before, during and after your cycles. Infertility testing and treatments can by physically, emotionally and financially stressful. Counselors are available by appointment for emotional support and tips for stress reduction.

How do I know when to schedule my fertility tests?
At your first appointment, a testing and/or treatment plan will be outlined with you by our staff. Diagnostic tests and treatments are scheduled during specific points in your menstrual cycle. You should have a calendar available and call our office with the onset of each cycle. The specific days you will need to be at the office will be outlined each month and may vary depending on your treatment. Any testing for semen analysis are scheduled by you directly through our Andrology Laboratory by calling 704-355-3460. Appointments for intrauterine sperm insemination will be scheduled for you by our staff.

Where do I obtain my medications?
You will be provided with a prescription to obtain the medicines for your cycle. Some may be difficult to find and are frequently hard to obtain on short notice or over the weekends so plan in advance. Our pharmacy at Medical Center Plaza has some of these medicines but we work with other pharmacies as well, including mail order pharmacies that will deliver directly to your home or office in 24 hours. We generally give refill authorizations for all your prescriptions so you may call your pharmacy first if additional medications are needed.

How do I know if I'm taking my injectable medications properly?
Before beginning injectable medications, you will attend an instructional class involving a video demonstration and direct instruction with our staff. You may also be given a video to take home for reference during mixing and administering the medications. Mild transient redness and bruising are normal at the injection site. Your response to the medication will be monitored by bloodwork and ultrasound to assure an appropriate response.

How do I know if my treatment will be covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans generally cover the diagnostic testing of infertility. Some insurance plans cover many of the fertility treatments. You insurance company will provide you with a listing of covered services and we have personnel to help you understand your coverage and coordinate your care with your insurance company. It may take up to several weeks with some insurance companies to authorize your treatment plan, therefore, plan for this in advance of starting your treatment. Some insurance plans such as Aetna EPO and HMO have an infertility program that you must enroll in to cover your services. The patient must call directly to the Aetna Infertility Program 800-575-5999. There is a price list for office procedures and in vitro fertilization that will be provided to you upon request.