Ratings of 1 indicate that a clinic was poorly operated.
Ratings of 10 indicate that a clinic operated very well.
Scheduling
9.8
9.8
Scheduling
Ratings of 1 mean it was difficult to schedule appointments with this clinic.
Ratings of 10 mean it was easy to schedule appointments.
Billing Department
8.9
8.9
Billing Department
Ratings of 1 indicate an unsatisfactory billing department.
Ratings of 10 indicate an excellent billing department.
Nursing Team
9.5
9.5
Nursing Team
Ratings of 1 indicate an unsatisfactory nursing team.
Ratings of 10 indicate an excellent nursing team.
LGBTQ+ Care
10
10
LGBTQ+ Care
Ratings of 1 indicate an unsatisfactory LGBTQ+ care.
Ratings of 10 indicate an excellent LGBTQ+ care.
Attention to Detail
9.1
9.1
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is on a 1 - 10 scale, and is scored based on the rate, and severity, of errors committed by the clinic according to the patients.
For example, a severe error might be failing to inform a patient of critical information, while a small error might be failing to call a patient with results.
CDC Success Rates
This is the most recent data from the CDC. The CDC cautions that it should not be used to compare doctors and clinics. This data represents the outcomes of IVF cycles when using a person's own eggs.
For more information please see our FAQs.
Where you see a “?” on the chart, a clinic has done fewer than 20 cycles in this category and age range, so the CDC says showing percentages from this small data set would be misleading and unreliable.
I was really impressed with Dr. Shapiro's ability to customize my treatment to my needs and goals. I was a difficult case, someone with very severe diminished ovarian reserve and a genetic issue. I came to Dr. Shapiro after doing 6 cycles at another clinic (all failed). She was willing to take me on, was honest and upfront about our chances while still providing us with hope it could work for us. During the cycles led by Dr. Shapiro, she was at most of my appointments, was very caring and warm, and shifted my treatment plan with each appointment as needed. I could tell she kept up to date with the very most current research and was so knowledgeable on other things we could try, which I didn't see in my past clinic. Under her care, I am now pregnant with a healthy baby, something I was beginning to lose hope was ever possible.
I am in the East Bay, which made their [RMA of Northern Califonrnia] new Danville location very convenient. I do wish the clinic was open on the weekends (instead of having to drive into their SF location on the weekends for monitoring / transfers) but that was not a deal breaker for me. The clinic was very organized, clean, and has amazing staff all around...The nursing staff was also amazing, they are so caring and empathetic and hold hope for all of their patients.
How was your experience with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
I was really impressed with Dr. Shapiro's ability to customize my treatment to my needs and goals. I was a difficult case, someone with very severe diminished ovarian reserve and a genetic issue. I came to Dr. Shapiro after doing 6 cycles at another clinic (all failed). She was willing to take me on, was honest and upfront about our chances while still providing us with hope it could work for us. During the cycles led by Dr. Shapiro, she was at most of my appointments, was very caring and warm, and shifted my treatment plan with each appointment as needed. I could tell she kept up to date with the very most current research and was so knowledgeable on other things we could try, which I didn't see in my past clinic. Under her care, I am now pregnant with a healthy baby, something I was beginning to lose hope was ever possible.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
One thing I learned in general going through IVF, find out as much information as you can upfront. Ask any and every question. Dr. Shapiro was always willing to meet with me to answer questions and talk through next steps, whether in the office or over Zoom. Take advantage of that so you don't get months down the line and wonder why you hadn't asked something / tried something / etc.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Shapiro always treated me like a human. She knew and understood my case really well (which was a difficult one). She felt for my husband and I, was always extremely empathetic, and was willing to try new things even when they were low statistical chances because she worked with me like an individual, not just a number or statistic for the clinic.
Describe the protocols Alice Shapiro used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We tried a few different things, but in the cycle that worked best for us, we did a duo-stim cycle on lower-dose injectable meds. The reason for this was my very diminished ovarian reserve & my historical response in previous cycles.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California.
My care coordinator was always quick to respond, which I REALLY appreciated. I got an almost immediate response on any question or feedback, which you don't get from any other doctor (outside of fertility world) these days! The nursing staff was also amazing, they are so caring and empathetic and hold hope for all of their patients.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
I am in the East Bay, which made their new Danville location very convenient. I do wish the clinic was open on the weekends (instead of having to drive into their SF location on the weekends for monitoring / transfers) but that was not a deal breaker for me. The clinic was very organized, clean, and has amazing staff all around
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California.
I was lucky to have insurance coverage. Without it, it was quite expensive, I believe would be around $20-30K per cycle (which is typical in the Bay Area based on other clinics I've been to as well)
Describe Alice Shapiro's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I am unsure, I believe the clinic prefers single embryo transfers.
Dr. Shapiro is knowledgeable about the latest research and treatments. If I heard of other treatment options, I felt comfortable filtering them thru her and trusted she would guide us in the right direction. Dr. Shapiro also took special care to let us know, which doctor would be on site for egg retrieval and transfer and assured us we would be in good hands. Additionally, she was always responsive via Spruce and was the main doctor that followed up with us on all our results.
The [RMA of Northern California] clinic is clean, organized and well stocked with pads! I very much appreciated the latter! RMA only advises patients to do single embryo transfers, so if you want multiple embryos transferred at once this isn’t the place for you. All the doctors work great together and provide the best cross coverage. I never questioned who was doing my retrieval and transfer. I really felt like I was in the best care.
How was your experience with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Shapiro is knowledgeable about the latest research and treatments. If I heard of other treatment options, I felt comfortable filtering them thru her and trusted she would guide us in the right direction.
Dr. Shapiro also took special care to let us know, which doctor would be on site for egg retrieval and transfer and assured us we would be in good hands. Additionally, she was always responsive via Spruce and was the main doctor that followed up with us on all our results.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Expect to be actively involved in the decisions made during your treatment. Dr. Shapiro provides you with background about all the options available, but never forces a direction. I always made a point to ask her what her preference was and that helped me gauge what to do.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Shapiro was always kind and attentive to my needs and questions. She provided insights into alternative solutions and made me an active member of the decision making process. She remembered my history when I was a patient of hers in Kaiser and was always compassionate with us as it relates to our pass lost.
Describe the protocols Alice Shapiro used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We committed to IVF and during our first month with Dr. Shapiro she advised that we put off our cycle for a month given the fact that I had a few cysts that could reduce the number of eggs retrieved. We are so glad we waited, because when we did start we retrieved 27 eggs. Dr. Shapiro also advised us to go thru with ICSI for th best results.
Dr. Shapiro also did a great job adjusting our meds based on follicle checks and blood tests and always explained why.
She also recognized that progesterone injections can be rough for some people, so leading up to and post transfer she had me on progesterone suppositories.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Alizea Perez)
I primarily spoke with the staff thru spruce. They were always responsive and attentive.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic is clean, organized and well stocked with pads! I very much appreciated the latter!
RMA only advises patients to do single embryo transfers, so if you want multiple embryos transferred at once this isn’t the place for you.
All the doctors work great together and provide the best cross coverage. I never questioned who was doing my retrieval and transfer. I really felt like I was in the best care.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
I loved that the monitoring appointments were in the early mornings hours, which prevented me from having to over explain things at work or take time off.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California.
About $30K give or take
Describe Alice Shapiro's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Alice Shapiro took extra care and was very attentive to my concerns and was there at every step of the way. Helping and discussing our best next steps during our whole IVF journey. We had a very positive experience with Dr. Shapiro and I highly recommend her for anyone who's ready to start the IVF process...She was there for every other visit and was constantly keeping in touch and following up on the next course of action. She listened and helped us to understand our concerns and our next steps.
[RMA of Northern California] Strength: Clinical team Weaknesses: All the procedures are done at the San Francisco office so commuting to SFO from East Bay was a trip. No other cons about the clinic they were so warm and welcoming...Dr. Alice Shapiro took extra care and was very attentive to my concerns and was there at every step of the way. Helping and discussing our best next steps during our whole IVF journey. We had a very positive experience with Dr. Shapiro and I highly recommend her for anyone who's ready to start the IVF process.
How was your experience with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Alice Shapiro took extra care and was very attentive to my concerns and was there at every step of the way. Helping and discussing our best next steps during our whole IVF journey. We had a very positive experience with Dr. Shapiro and I highly recommend her for anyone who's ready to start the IVF process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Trust the process and ask questions at every step of your treatment to get a better understanding.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
She was there for every other visit and was constantly keeping in touch and following up on the next course of action. She listened and helped us to understand our concerns and our next steps.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Sophia)
She was constantly in touch with me on Spruce
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strength: Clinical team
Weaknesses: All the procedures are done at the San Francisco office so commuting to SFO from East Bay was a trip.
No other cons about the clinic they were so warm and welcoming.
I'm definitely the "worried" patient with plenty of "what if" questions and Dr Shapiro always had an answer or a plan of action for every step of the process. One of the most comforting aspects of the experience was learning that Dr. Shapiro herself would be performing the egg retrieval. It was heartening to know that the person overseeing my fertility treatment and who was already familiar with my medical history would be the one carrying out the procedure. This added a sense of ease and trust that is invaluable in such a delicate process.
The [RMA of Northern California] clinic is conveniently located in SF downtown and close to the Bart/Muni station, so it was incredibly easy to attend regular check-ups without disrupting my daily routine or requesting any time off from work...I found everyone at the clinic to be both warm and skillful. I also had no issues communicating with staff via Spruce and appreciated having a tool that provides 24/7 support.
How was your experience with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Every individual's fertility journey is unique, and my situation was no exception. I'm definitely the "worried" patient with plenty of "what if" questions and Dr Shapiro always had an answer or a plan of action for every step of the process. One of the most comforting aspects of the experience was learning that Dr. Shapiro herself would be performing the egg retrieval. It was heartening to know that the person overseeing my fertility treatment and who was already familiar with my medical history would be the one carrying out the procedure. This added a sense of ease and trust that is invaluable in such a delicate process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
Don't be afraid to ask questions!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California?
The egg retrieval process is undoubtedly a sensitive one, and from the moment I stepped into the clinic until the final moments of the procedure, Dr. Shapiro and her team provided unwavering support and care, making the journey remarkably smooth. Dr. Shapiro's approachability and warmth further elevated the entire experience. She made herself available to address any questions or concerns I had, no matter how small, and her genuine care for her patients was evident in every interaction.
Describe the protocols Alice Shapiro used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Initially, we had to postpone the medication cycle due to an unexpected large cyst in one of my ovaries. Interestingly, it was Dr. Shapiro who discovered the cyst before my medical provider could. While this news could have been unsettling, Dr. Shapiro's feedback and guidance immediately put me at ease. Her ability to communicate complex medical information in a reassuring manner made the situation feel less scary and overwhelming.She skillfully timed the process to ensure that the cyst did not interfere with the subsequent medication cycle. Her precise planning and careful monitoring allowed me to grow the follicles without any harm to my ovaries, which was a tremendous relief.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
I found everyone at the clinic to be both warm and skillful. I also had no issues communicating with staff via Spruce and appreciated having a tool that provides 24/7 support.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic is conveniently located in SF downtown and close to the Bart/Muni station, so it was incredibly easy to attend regular check-ups without disrupting my daily routine or requesting any time off from work.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alice Shapiro at RMA of Northern California.
You really couldn't ask for a more kind, compassionate, thoughtful physician than Dr. Kaser. He was truly engaged in my care and invested in my outcome. Dr. Kaser is thoughtful in his communication and really takes his time to explain every detail of treatment so I always knew what to expect next....I will never forget the day he called me with positive pregnancy test results! I'm pretty sure he was even more excited than I was! (I was still shocked!) I am so grateful for Dr. Kaser!
The clinic itself is beautiful and easily accessible. Everything is clean, fresh, and the equipment feels state-of-the-art. I have reason to believe their IVF is top-notch as I had better results at RMA of Northern California in my 30s than I did as a younger IVF patient elsewhere in my 20s. They have a screen in the transfer room that gives you a live feed of your embryo being prepped before your transfer. I've done a lot of transfers elsewhere, and I had never seen anything like that before!
How was your experience with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
You really couldn't ask for a more kind, compassionate, thoughtful physician than Dr. Kaser. He was truly engaged in my care and invested in my outcome. Dr. Kaser is thoughtful in his communication and really takes his time to explain every detail of treatment so I always knew what to expect next. He never rushed me in my appointments and gave me ample time to ask questions. Part of my treatment plan included a procedure that was both physically painful and emotionally distressing for me. Dr. Kaser took his time before, after, and during the procedure to make sure I was ready, to check-in with me, and to support me as I recovered my composure after. He gave me choices ("do you want to keep going or stop?") and respected my autonomy and decision making. He gave me the information I needed to make informed choices & was willing to listen to my ideas as we made treatment decisions. I will never forget the day he called me with positive pregnancy test results! I'm pretty sure he was even more excited than I was! (I was still shocked!) I am so grateful for Dr. Kaser!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, he is more than happy to explain his thought-process. He'll take his time to make sure you fully understand and are comfortable moving forward.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kaser was incredibly engaged in my care from start to finish. He was always responsive to my questions via their messaging app. It's a little thing - but I really appreciated how he would send emoji's in the app with his messages (a smiley face, etc), it made me feel like I was chatting with a real person (and I was!). Dr. Kaser always greeted me by my full name and made me feel welcomed in the clinic.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
While I didn't see the nursing staff frequently in the clinic, I had a lot of communication with them over the messaging app. They were quick to answer questions, send over prescription refills, and make sure I had orders ready for outside monitoring etc. There is some overlap between the clinic nurses and the Pre-op/PACU nurses who take care of you if you have a retrieval or surgery, which I think is really nice for continuity of care!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic itself is beautiful and easily accessible. Everything is clean, fresh, and the equipment feels state-of-the-art. I have reason to believe their IVF is top-notch as I had better results at RMA of Northern California in my 30s than I did as a younger IVF patient elsewhere in my 20s.
They have a screen in the transfer room that gives you a live feed of your embryo being prepped before your transfer. I've done a lot of transfers elsewhere, and I had never seen anything like that before! My partner and I love that we were able to see the embryo being prepared in real time and not just a photo like at other clinics. (Of course, they also provided a print of the embryo, which I think is a lovely keepsake.)
I came to Dr. Morin with a lot of physical & emotional baggage from past failed IVF attempts at other clinics - he knew my full history and wasn't intimated at all by my persistent questions, tears, and need for reassurance....He'll explain that "this has really good research behind it and I feel confident it will help" OR "hey, this idea doesn't have the best studies behind it, but there's a chance it may help" - which was really empowering to me to make informed decisions and didn't offer me false hope.
RMA of NorCal has a fresh, clean, new, feel to it. They have tea and coffee in the waiting room - which is a nice touch when you're waiting for monitoring. The front desk staff is friendly & making follow up appointments is easy.... Vicki was very compassionate and hopped on the phone with me when I was feeling nervous about not having my partner with me during a retrieval (in the height of COVID). She was warm, compassionate, and reassuring.
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I came to Dr. Morin with a lot of physical & emotional baggage from past failed IVF attempts at other clinics - he knew my full history and wasn't intimated at all by my persistent questions, tears, and need for reassurance. He stayed highly involved in my care throughout the course of treatment and I spoke with him more than any of the nurses or other clinic staff (a big difference from past clinics for me).
One thing I really appreciate about Dr. Morin is his ability and willingness to explain the clinical decisions he's making or recommending. He'll explain that "this has really good research behind it and I feel confident it will help" OR "hey, this idea doesn't have the best studies behind it, but there's a chance it may help" - which was really empowering to me to make informed decisions and didn't offer me false hope.
He's very upfront with chances of success and potential risks, but approaches the hard conversations with so much compassion it makes the tough pills easier to swallow.
When I wasn't having the response I was hoping for in an IVF retrieval cycle, he spent significant time with me going over the pros and cons of moving forward with a retrieval vs converting to an IUI. I was super emotional about the decision, but he brought so much clarity to the situation and helped me make a choice I felt comfortable with.
I've gone through multiple egg retrievals with other doctors and, by far, my favorite retrieval was with Dr. Morin. In the past, I've had a nurse walk me into the OR and get me set up and the Doc just whizzes in at the last minute when I'm already getting sleepy - not with Dr. Morin, he was completely engaged from pre-op to falling asleep and was one of the first people I remember when waking up. He walked me from pre-op to the OR, talked me through getting positioned, what I would be feeling as they start to gave me medicine - and had a great music selection going (Hamilton!). 10/10- would highly recommend an egg retrieval with Dr. Morin.
During my second retrieval, Dr. Morin was at their other office and my retrieval was performed by Dr. Kaser - who was also stellar in every way.
I saw Dr. Morin at the majority of my monitoring appointments, but when I didn't the other docs were just as superb. Dr. Kort performed several of my monitoring ultrasounds and he always brought a very calming energy with him, which I appreciated.
Overall, Dr. Morin is a phenomenal physician. He is extremely well-qualified, an excellent communicator, and understands the importance of his work.
I have not undergone an embryo transfer at this point with Dr. Morin, but know that even if I do not have success with a transfer, I would not hesitate to recommend him to friends & family.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Ask lots of questions - he's willing to answer. Take a close look at your medication protocol before ordering meds and ask about which meds you'll need on which days and if there is a chance you won't need any of them. I saved a lot of money by not ordering all of my meds up front - turned out I stimmed faster that anticipated and didn't end up needing all of them.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I truly felt like I was Dr. Morin's only patient. He was engaged in my care and took my extensive fertility history into account when planning next steps. Dr. Morin was incredibly responsive throughout my treatment, particularly through the messaging app the doctors & nurses use to communicate with patients. I always, always got a response the same day, but it was unusual to wait longer than 10 minutes for a response. Dr. Morin always greets me by name and uses my name throughout conversation & in written correspondence, which is a really nice touch and is grounding to me as an anxious patient.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We used an antagonist protocol for my retrievals. The first retrieval we tried adding in a clomid for a few days at the start, which ended up not being as obviously helpful as we hoped and we skipped it on the second try.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Vicki )
Opposite of my past experiences at other clinics, I didn't have much interaction with the nursing staff compared to the amount I had with Dr. Morin. However, nurses were always available on the messaging app and often were the ones who sent instructions for the next day. One challenge is that you don't always know who is working that day or who is on the message app - so sometimes I would send a message and get a response back from a nurse I didn't know. As a positive, Vicki was very compassionate and hopped on the phone with me when I was feeling nervous about not having my partner with me during a retrieval (in the height of COVID). She was warm, compassionate, and reassuring. She was also involved in my pre-op/post-op for my retrieval & I appreciated having a familiar face with me during that time.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA of NorCal has a fresh, clean, new, feel to it. They have tea and coffee in the waiting room - which is a nice touch when you're waiting for monitoring. The front desk staff is friendly & making follow up appointments is easy. The front desk & billing do not use the messaging app and I communicated with them over email mostly. They were able to get insurance approval quickly most of the time.
One thing to know about the clinic is that parking can be a bit rough - there's a garage across the street that's a bit difficult to navigate (teeny-tiny spaces). You check-in with security on entering the building, and they will tell you which elevator to get on that will send you to the correct floor. (I hopped on the wrong elevator the first time and ended up in the wrong spot, to be sure to get on the one they tell you.) The office is walking distance to the Ferry Building, and I always thought it was nice to be able to stroll over to water front and grab a snack after my appointments.
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Strong preference for single embryo transfer, with a solid rationale for his opinion.
Dr. Morin saw me at nearly all appointments and always took the extra time/care to answer all my questions and help assuage any concerns I had. He was empathetic & compassionate while also being data driven. I really appreciated this approach...He is very clear and crisp with his communication while being empathetic. He is SUPER responsive--I honestly don't know how he gets back to everyone so quickly on the spruce app. I know this is a wild example, but one time I didn't have a med for the trigger shot and he met me on a Saturday to give me a dose they had at the clinic so I could have a good outcome (I believe this trigger shot led to our insanely positive outcome of 17 embryos--10 of which were PGS normal). D
The nursing staff [at RMA of Northern California] was always very communicative over the spruce app and got back to me quickly. They were very supportive when trying to navigate insurance and finding the lowest cost meds...$15K for the egg retrieval + IVF monitoring etc and then ~$4K for the transfer cycle. Overall, the prices were comparable with the other two clinics I was looking into but went with RMA because the doctors seemed better.
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr.Morin is by far the best doctor I've ever had--I'm honestly sad to be leaving RMA next week to graduate to an OB. He is very clear and crisp with his communication while being empathetic. He is SUPER responsive--I honestly don't know how he gets back to everyone so quickly on the spruce app. I know this is a wild example, but one time I didn't have a med for the trigger shot and he met me on a Saturday to give me a dose they had at the clinic so I could have a good outcome (I believe this trigger shot led to our insanely positive outcome of 17 embryos--10 of which were PGS normal).
Dr. Morin performed by egg retrieval and transfer--he's a master at what he does and we're lucky to have him in the Bay Area. You'll be lucky if you get to work with him! Could not recommend more highly!!!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Come with your questions--he's very communicative and will go through all your questions/concerns at your visit. I was a very proactive patient and had a lot of questions but I think he gave the appropriate level of information for any patient that doesn't want to get into the science behind every med/decision being taken.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Morin saw me at nearly all appointments and always took the extra time/care to answer all my questions and help assuage any concerns I had. He was empathetic & compassionate while also being data driven. I really appreciated this approach.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We did an antagonist protocol because I was an OHSS risk. We triggered with a Lupron + Ovidrel trigger. We ended up retrieving 37 eggs, 27 were mature, 21 fertilized, 17 embryos and 10 were PGS normal.
We did two transfers--we first tried an unmedicated cycle which was unsuccessful. We then tried a medicated cycle and I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nursing staff was always very communicative over the spruce app and got back to me quickly. They were very supportive when trying to navigate insurance and finding the lowest cost meds.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strengths - Incredible experience. I was always in and out in no time and 95% of the time would see one of the 3 doctors (probably 80% of the time saw Dr.Morin and the rest of the time saw Dr.Kaser if Dr.Morin was out or in the OR). The doctors & embryology lab are best in class--the clinic is new and as such they have the most cutting edge technology. The clinic is open 365 days a year--I went in for an appt on Thanksgiving and I was grateful they were open. All 3 of the doctors are fab--you'll be in good hands with any of them!
I honestly can't think of any weaknesses--the RMA team has turned what started out to be a scary, lonely journey in infertility into an incredibly positive and humanizing experience. The level of attention I got at every appointment was top notch and I never felt like an after thought or passed around.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
I unfortunately didn't have insurance coverage and it cost ~$15K for the egg retrieval + IVF monitoring etc and then ~$4K for the transfer cycle. Overall, the prices were comparable with the other two clinics I was looking into but went with RMA because the doctors seemed better.
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Strong preference for single embryo transfer (candidly, I wanted to do two but he talked me out of it for the high risk issues)
Dr. Jonathan Kort's exceptional care from the initial consultation to egg retrieval...He called me the evening before my appointment just to check in with me about how I was feeling...explaining every single part of IVF to us—even going so far as to draw scientific diagrams on a whiteboard...For both egg retrievals, I was on around 450 units of Gonal F...I had 40 eggs total (from two egg retrievals), 37 of which were mature, 34 were fertilized, and 12 made it to the blastocyst stage.
The nursing staff at RMA is just incredible. From doing quick and painless blood draws to providing clear explanations and demonstrations of preparing and administering injections...My insurance covered nearly everything except for egg freezing, ICSI, and genetic testing. We paid about $10k out of pocket for each retrieval...you will always get to speak to an actual person—same day...They use an app called Spruce to communicate
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Kort. From the minute my husband and I walked into his office, we knew we were in the most capable hands. Dr. Kort spent so much time, more than should be expected of a doctor, explaining every single part of IVF to us—even going so far as to draw scientific diagrams on a whiteboard, which my husband (a scientist) appreciated. He personally called me several times throughout IVF just to ask me how I was feeling. He was available to directly to every single day, either through phone call or text. It actually made me worry about his work/life balance—I've never met anyone so completely dedicated to his work. One of the things I appreciated most about him was that he listens to and believes women about their experiences; when I told him my fears about pain and trauma from all the parts of IVF (the needles, the egg retrieval, the HSG test, etc.) he listened with compassion and ensured I wouldn't ever be too uncomfortable—and I wasn't! I had a relatively pain-free IVF if you can believe it. He was there for us, really and truly there for us, every step of the way, from consultation to the creation of our embryos, and the eternal wait for the results from the genetic testing of our embryos. We ended up getting over 40 eggs, 3 of which turned into healthy high-grade embryos that are now frozen for implantation post-pandemic. We can't wait to continue our parenthood journey with Dr. Kort once it's safe again.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Know you are in the best hands possible. Trust, relax, and rejoice about the path you're about to embark on. IVF doesn't have to be scary and stressful.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but the high enough praise for Dr. Kort's exceptional care from the initial consultation to egg retrieval. Of the many wonderful anecdotes I have to share, one stands out in my mind—I had heard that the HSG test was horrifically painful and so was terrified to have the procedure, which Dr. Kort knew. He called me the evening before my appointment just to check in with me about how I was feeling and assure me that if I was in pain at any point during the procedure, we would stop and find another way forward. That call helped me to trust him and dispel my anxiety. Despite my blocked tubes, the HSG ended up not being that painful because he was very gentle and quick during the procedure.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
For both egg retrievals, I was on around 450 units of Gonal F, 20 units of low dose HCG and 1 vial of Centrotide for around 9 days before my trigger shot, which was Lupron both times. We used ICSI to inject sperm into the eggs. I had 40 eggs total (from two egg retrievals), 37 of which were mature, 34 were fertilized, and 12 made it to the blastocyst stage. Of those, we ended up with 3 healthy (determined by genetic testing) high-grade embryos to freeze for implantation. I'm very happy with these results!
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
The nursing staff at RMA is just incredible. From doing quick and painless blood draws to providing clear explanations and demonstrations of preparing and administering injections, the level of communication, attention, and care was outstanding. During my HSG test, one nurse held my hand throughout, keeping my attention directed at her rather than on the uncomfortable procedure, distracting me with light conversation. She was an angel.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA Northern California is a state of the art clinic with world-class doctors and staff. They are highly communicative—you will always get to speak to an actual person—same day. They took care of dealing with my insurance, which was a huge relief, and were completely transparent about billing. There were no hidden fees or financial surprises afterward. They have plenty of nurses so wait times are never too bad, and very flexible hours to accommodate work schedules. They use an app called Spruce to communicate, which was one of the things I loved the most about being an RMA patient. Any question, no matter how small, is answered right away.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Monitoring appointments at RMA were an efficient well-oiled machine—easy in, easy out.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
My insurance covered nearly everything except for egg freezing, ICSI, and genetic testing. We paid about $10k out of pocket for each retrieval.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I have not had embryo transfer yet; it was canceled due to COVID-19.
Dr. Noel understood us, she was accommodating to our questions, ideas and always provided us with advice and guidance. She welcomed the dialogue about different treatment strategies so that together we could come up with the right path for our needs. She also seems to be invested in our journey, showing sympathy in the down moments and cheering us on in the up moments.
RMA has the best process set up, from the induction/reception to the nursing and the doctors. It is super easy to communicate with RMA via the Spruce app, there are no delays, it is fast and efficient. When in the clinic the team knows exactly what to do and when. Scheduling appointments is easy and uncomplicated. The egg retrieval procedure is thoughtful and managed very well to align with the tight timeline. The Clinic itself is modern, comfortable and well maintained. All the staff work as a team.
How was your experience with Martha Noel at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Noel understood us, she was accommodating to our questions, ideas and always provided us with advice and guidance. She welcomed the dialogue about different treatment strategies so that together we could come up with the right path for our needs. She also seems to be invested in our journey, showing sympathy in the down moments and cheering us on in the up moments. We also like her professionalism and believe she is very capable and experienced and applies that in her practice. We certainly believe we found the best doctor to help us on our fertility journey.
Describe the protocols Martha Noel used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We tried different protocols along the way
Cycle 1: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday), 300 Folistim, 150 Menopur, Ganirelix (1/day),
result: 6 eggs retrieved, 5 matured, 1 embryo that passed PGT test
Cycle 2: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday),300 Folistim, 150 Menopur, Ganirelix (1/day), Omnitrope 50units - alternate days during stim,
result: premature ovulation, no eggs retrieved
Cycle 3: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday),300 Folistim, 150 Menopur, Ganirelix (2/day), Omnitrope 50units - alternate days during stim
result: 6 eggs retrieved, 6 matured, 0 embryos reached Blastocyst
Cycle 4: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday),150 Folistim, 300 Menopur, Ganirelix (2/day), no Omnitrope
result: 5 eggs retrieved, 5 matured, 3 embryos reached Blastocyst, all 3 abnormal after PGT test
Cycle 5: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday)150 Folistim, 300 Menopur, Ganirelix (2/day), no Omnitrope, Metformin 500mg
result: 4 eggs retrieved, 4 matured, 1 embryos reached Blastocyst, all 1 abnormal after PGT test
Cycle 6: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday),150 Folistim, 300 Menopur, Ganirelix (2/day), Omnitrope 25 units every day of stims. Metformin 500mg
result: 8 eggs retrieved, 7 matured, 2 embryos reached Blastocyst, 1 normal embryo after PGT test
Cycle 7: Estradiol before cycle start (2xday),150 Folistim, 300 Menopur, Ganirelix (2/day), Omnitrope 25 units 10 dyas before start of meds, Metformin 1500mg
result: 8 eggs retrieved, 8 matured, 2 embryos reached Blastocyst, all 2 abnormal after PGT test
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California.
RMA works via the Spruce App. It is a fantastic way to communicate. The staff is super responsive at any time of the day. If my primary care team is not there, then someone else will jump in. This is one of the reasons we chose RMA, because they really really really have this one figured out. It is efficient, fast, easy and still personal.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA has the best process set up, from the induction/reception to the nursing and the doctors. It is super easy to communicate with RMA via the Spruce app, there are no delays, it is fast and efficient. When in the clinic the team knows exactly what to do and when. Scheduling appointments is easy and uncomplicated. The egg retrieval procedure is thoughtful and managed very well to align with the tight timeline. The Clinic itself is modern, comfortable and well maintained. All the staff work as a team.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Martha Noel at RMA of Northern California.
Each cycle is around 17000USD excluding the medication and PGT testing.
Describe Martha Noel's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
RMA has a policy to transfer one embryo at a time.
I had the privilege of visiting Dr. Morin for two cycles. He possesses an exceptionally calm demeanor that immediately put me at ease from the moment I walked into his office. During my first visit, Dr. Morin exhibited an admirable level of patience, dedicating ample time to thoroughly explain every aspect of the process. His explanations were clear, concise, and delivered in a way that was easy to understand, alleviating any concerns I had. I felt genuinely listened to and respected throughout the entire consultation. Moreover, Dr. Morin's emphasis on ensuring my understanding of the medical information showcased his commitment to patient education and empowerment. This approach fostered a sense of trust and confidence in his care, making me feel safe and reassured about my health journey under his guidance.
I recently had the privilege of being under the care of the remarkable staff at RMA, and I can confidently say that it was a healthcare experience like no other. From the front desk to the operating room and throughout regular visits, the team at RMA consistently demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism, warmth, and genuine care. One of the standout qualities of the staff at RMA is their unwavering dedication to making patients feel at home and comfortable, even in what can often be an uncomfortable healthcare setting. The front desk personnel greeted me with warm smiles and a welcoming attitude, setting the tone for a positive experience from the moment I walked through the door. Their efficiency and kindness in managing appointments and inquiries were impressive and greatly contributed to the overall smooth functioning of the clinic.
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I had the privilege of visiting Dr. Morin for two cycles. He possesses an exceptionally calm demeanor that immediately put me at ease from the moment I walked into his office.
During my first visit, Dr. Morin exhibited an admirable level of patience, dedicating ample time to thoroughly explain every aspect of the process. His explanations were clear, concise, and delivered in a way that was easy to understand, alleviating any concerns I had. I felt genuinely listened to and respected throughout the entire consultation.
Moreover, Dr. Morin's emphasis on ensuring my understanding of the medical information showcased his commitment to patient education and empowerment. This approach fostered a sense of trust and confidence in his care, making me feel safe and reassured about my health journey under his guidance.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I was treated with so much respect and care while at RMA by both Dr. Morin and by the incredible nursing staff.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Liz Sunseri)
I recently had the privilege of being under the care of the remarkable staff at RMA, and I can confidently say that it was a healthcare experience like no other. From the front desk to the operating room and throughout regular visits, the team at RMA consistently demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism, warmth, and genuine care.
One of the standout qualities of the staff at RMA is their unwavering dedication to making patients feel at home and comfortable, even in what can often be an uncomfortable healthcare setting. The front desk personnel greeted me with warm smiles and a welcoming attitude, setting the tone for a positive experience from the moment I walked through the door. Their efficiency and kindness in managing appointments and inquiries were impressive and greatly contributed to the overall smooth functioning of the clinic. Despite the early hours, they brought forth a contagious enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring the best possible experience for each patient.
Overall, my experience with the staff at RMA was nothing short of exceptional. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for their tireless efforts. RMA truly stands out as a beacon of excellence in healthcare, thanks to their phenomenal staff.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic is conveniently located downtown and is easy to get to on both MUNI and BART. It's in a quiet building and is easy to come and go. As a patient, you have to go in quite frequently, like every other day, so choosing a convenient location is really important. They also have two other locations you can leverage if you're on the other side of town.
I absolutely love Dr. Kort. From the moment we started working with him he's been kind, supportive, and compassionate. He clearly explained everything and I was never left with unanswered questions. I have my beautiful, healthy, and amazing, 6-month-old because of Dr. Kort and RMA and I'll forever be grateful...had a strong preference for single embryo transfer because there was no reason for us to transfer more than one. We completely agreed with this approach.
All of the RN’s and phlebotomists at RMA are wonderful. They’re so nice and helpful and easy to work with. I needed a quick prescription and they called it in instantly and I didn’t have to wait. All of my monitoring appointments and blood draws were quick and easy. They were also super responsive via Spruce and that made everything so much easier...Dr. Kort was always so patient and respectful. He listened to my concerns and my goals and created a plan for us. He made me feel supported and listened to.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I absolutely love Dr. Kort. From the moment we started working with him he's been kind, supportive, and compassionate. He clearly explained everything and I was never left with unanswered questions. I have my beautiful, healthy, and amazing, 6-month-old because of Dr. Kort and RMA and I'll forever be grateful!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
He’s always happy to answer questions so don’t be afraid to ask questions and get answers
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was always so patient and respectful. He listened to my concerns and my goals and created a plan for us. He made me feel supported and listened to.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We did an antagonist protocol for my retrieval:
- 300 iu of follistim
- 150 iu of menopur
- 1 prefilled syringe of ganirelix
- pregnyl for trigger
Embryo Transfer:
PIO
Estrace
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen Montesinos )
All of the RN’s and phlebotomists at RMA are wonderful. They’re so nice and helpful and easy to work with. I needed a quick prescription and they called it in instantly and I didn’t have to wait. All of my monitoring appointments and blood draws were quick and easy. They were also super responsive via Spruce and that made everything so much easier!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Pros:
- The staff is really nice, helpful and have great bedside manner.
- the member communication app, Spruce, is amazing. They respond to questions quickly and easily and they provide you results quickly within the app.
- Dr. Kort is primary doctor, but I interact with all of the doctors and they’re all really great.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think it’s a silly question. They don’t treat you like any question is silly or unwarranted.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
An egg retrieval is around $15k
Frozen transfer is around $4k
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort had a strong preference for single embryo transfer because there was no reason for us to transfer more than one. We completely agreed with this approach.
Dr. Kort was very compassionate and very knowledgeable. The first consultation appointment was very informative and he explained to us about the whole procedure and was very optimistic on our situation. He answered all of questions and has very good bedside manners...[he] only recommends eSet because of the complication of transferring two embryos at the same time...I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits
The wait time [at RMA] was never more than 15 minutes. There were maybe once or twice when I had to wait a little longer but it wasn't too bad. I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits but Dr. Morin and Dr. Kaser were very nice and knowledgeable as well. Other nurse practitioners that I saw for my monitoring appointments especially, Doris, was very nice and upbeat. The clinic opens 7 days a week and 365 days so that was a plus. The only thing that might be hassle would probably be the parking. It's hard to find street parking and it's expensive. But there's a parking lot across the street that I always park, they charge $3 for every 15 minutes.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was very compassionate and very knowledgeable. The first consultation appointment was very informative and he explained to us about the whole procedure and was very optimistic on our situation. He answered all of questions and has very good bedside manners.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Ask a lot of questions and also ask for blood results. I noticed they don't have a portal to look at blood results where you can refer back to.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
All my appointments were very thorough and any questions I had were answered. I love using the Spruce app because I was able to communicate through an texting app which I prefer than being on the phone.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
150 IU of Menopur, 150 IU of Follistim, added Garnirelix on the 5th day. And then triggered with Leuprolide.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Liz)
Liz was my primary nurse and she was very responsive and has excellent communications. Very thorough about explaining and answering my questions. My prescriptions and dosage were explained very clearly.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The wait time was never more than 15 minutes. There were maybe once or twice when I had to wait a little longer but it wasn't too bad. I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits but Dr. Morin and Dr. Kaser were very nice and knowledgeable as well. Other nurse practitioners that I saw for my monitoring appointments especially, Doris, was very nice and upbeat. The clinic opens 7 days a week and 365 days so that was a plus. The only thing that might be hassle would probably be the parking. It's hard to find street parking and it's expensive. But there's a parking lot across the street that I always park, they charge $3 for every 15 minutes.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I had insurance coverage for IVF and medications so I paid around maybe 7k. and also 3k for PGT testing.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort only recommends eSet because of the complication of transferring two embryos at the same time.
Dr Kort is a fantastic. He is knowledgeable, professional, genuine and super kind. He will go above and beyond to ensure the best care is given to you! I love the fact that he does not recommend unnecessary tests. He did NOT push me towards moving forward with any services at my consultation and truly felt that he wants the best for patients. He is AVAILABLE ALWAYS for you - which made me feel super secure. Exceptional bedside manner
Scheduling [at RMA of Northern California] is very easy if you call SF number. PA can be better. Generally they do not call back. It is hard to get hold of them Front desk at SF is very responsive and helpful. I would love to mention [the front desk staff] was amazing in getting me on the wait list and helping me get an earlier apt. Wonderful staff overall...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort is a fantastic. He is knowledgeable, professional, genuine and super kind. He will go above and beyond to ensure the best care is given to you! I love the fact that he does not recommend unnecessary tests. He did NOT push me towards moving forward with any services at my consultation and truly felt that he wants the best for patients. He is AVAILABLE ALWAYS for you - which made me feel super secure. Exceptional bedside manner. I wish i could give him more than 10/10!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Just trust him. He will take care of you! Don't hesitate to ask questions!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but great regards for Dr. Kort. He is super compassionate. I was meeting 8 other doctors (in parallel) after my terrible experience at CCRM. Right after my consultation I knew I was in the most capable hands.
Dr. Kort had read my previous reports ahead of my apt and had anticipated questions I may have. I consulted to get answers for my RPL and if its a good idea to freeze embryos. He recommended that I don't "NEED" IVF but its a good idea given the RPL and for peace of mind. He spent time, explaining IVF process in detail on a whiteboard which I appreciated the most! He is AVAILABLE to answer any question and i have received responses pretty much right away or in less than an hour (at max)
He checked upon me multiple times (asking how i was feeling) post egg retrieval and gave updates on the embryos( Day1, 5,6 and 7) . It actually made think about his passion and dedication towards his work. He is a great listener (which is really required). I had a good egg retrieval process (not a lot of pain/bloat etc). He took utmost care to ensure i was not over stimulated. I loved the way he kept tracking to adjust protocol. I am looking forward to my transfer cycle with him!
Just an amazing doctor!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Scheduling is very easy if you call SF number. PA can be better. Generally they do not call back. It is hard to get hold of them Front desk at SF is very responsive and helpful. I would love to mention Brittany was amazing in getting me on the wait list and helping me get an earlier apt. Wonderful staff overall.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I had insurance coverage. I spent roughly 1000 bucks out of pocket
Dr. Morin speaks with a very calm demeanor, never seems like he is in a hurry. Even with my medical background, the information often given to us is a lot to process and he takes the time to answer all our questions without feeling rushed. Even with random questions we come up with after our appointments, his team is available to respond via the text app...Dr. Morin was willing to try a different treatment strategy even if it didn't look like it would make a difference...
The greatest strength the clinic [RMA of Northern California] has is the communication between team members; they seem to all be on the same page. I feel that we are talking to one unit. The only weakness I can think of is some emails regarding forms we needed to sign was vague in requesting it, but it was easily remedied and not even really a big deal...They [nurses] have been great especially with updating us with our egg donor's progress via texting app.
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Morin was recommended to me by a co-worker and I switched doctors, I do not regret my decision at all. For all practical sense the other doctor was fine but I often felt rushed. We had one particular incident where we found ourselves at a fork in the road and needed to make a decision regarding our next step given new information. We felt overwhelmed and wanted some time to decide and honestly some guidance. She left the office to give my husband and I some time to decide. When she came back, we had additional questions for her, she instead of answering she rushed us which made us feel like an inconvenience. That was the last straw with her. In contrast, Dr. Morin speaks with a very calm demeanor, never seems like he is in a hurry. Even with my medical background, the information often given to us is a lot to process and he takes the time to answer all our questions without feeling rushed. Even with random questions we come up with after our appointments, his team is available to respond via the text app.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
They have a "sister" clinics in northern California, one is San Francisco the other is Palo Alto. If you don't enjoy the parking availability and prices that going SF provides I recommend going to the Palo Alto clinic. You might see another doc but they are both great and I have nothing bad to say about either one.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I love Dr. Morin's office. Their team's response time is amazing. They have kept me updated with my donor's progress. I do not feel like I'm just another patient on their "conveyor line". I appreciate that they have several modes of communication available to us (i.e. phone, zoom, texting app, email). When we ask a question they do not make us feel like an inconvenience which is a stark contrast to the previous clinic we went to.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I'm sorry I do not remember my IVF meds I had to use or the specific doses, it was over a year ago. But remember, Dr. Morin was willing to try a different treatment strategy even if it didn't look like it would make a difference. It did not, same response, no ovary response, no egg(s) to retrieve. But he was instrumental is guiding me to use a donor egg and are currently in the process of getting out first retrieval from our known donor.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
They have been great especially with updating us with our egg donor's progress via texting app.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The greatest strength the clinic has is the communication between team members; they seem to all be on the same page. I feel that we are talking to one unit. The only weakness I can think of is some emails regarding forms we needed to sign was vague in requesting it, but it was easily remedied and not even really a big deal.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
An estimated patient responsibility for "Donor IVF Freeze - All for PGT-A" bundle package is $18,650 with some outside organization charges of the following:
Pharmacy $5K-7K
Anesthesia $650
Embryo testing PGT-A $300 per sample
Embryo testing PGT-M $400 per sample ($3000 probe development)
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I feel like Dr. Kaser went out of his way to check on me as a patient. When think didn't go as expected, he had a new plan and reasoning behind it. He followed up with phone calls and it always felt that he cared. My only criticism is really not a bad one. Due to scheduling, I wasn't an to see Dr. Kaser from all of my procedures. That allowed me to see a team of 3 doctors, Dr. Morin and Dr. Kort as well...
RMA NorCal has a team of 3 doctors and a large support staff. I also saw 4 different nurse practitioners during ultrasound monitoring at the SF location. Since there are 2 locations and only 3 doctors, your main doctor might not always do all your procedures. They use a messaging app called Spruce that allows for great communication...The nursing team was very compassionate and organized. They have a great system, are efficient, are friendly, and have good follow through...
How was your experience with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
I feel like Dr. Kaser went out of his way to check on me as a patient. When think didn't go as expected, he had a new plan and reasoning behind it. He followed up with phone calls and it always felt that he cared. My only criticism is really not a bad one. Due to scheduling, I wasn't an to see Dr. Kaser from all of my procedures. That allowed me to see a team of 3 doctors, Dr. Morin and Dr. Kort as well.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Listen, but also ask questions. He's great at answering.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kaser and the other RMA doctors and staff are some of the kindest people I have encountered as a patient. Dr. Kaser is particularly caring, warm, realistic, but always encouraging and optimistic. He genuinely wants the best for his patients.
Describe the protocols Daniel Kaser used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
My first cycle was a moderate to high dose antagonist protocol of 300 FSH, 2 vials of Menopur, Cetrotide antagonist, and Pregnyl trigger. Cycle 2 was a letrozole flare with a lower dose of FSH. These two protocols did not work well for me, so the next cycle I did a clomid flare with a ovidrel and Lupron trigger. Some people respond differently to the medication than others. He also recommended an ERA before transfer since I have only a few embryos.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Nancy)
The nursing team was very compassionate and organized. They have a great system, are efficient, are friendly, and have good follow through. There was a little confusion about my medication once (doctor said one thing and nurse said something else) but overall the nursing team is great.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA NorCal has a team of 3 doctors and a large support staff. I also saw 4 different nurse practitioners during ultrasound monitoring at the SF location. Since there are 2 locations and only 3 doctors, your main doctor might not always do all your procedures. They use a messaging app called Spruce that allows for great communication.
Describe Daniel Kaser's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
They recommend a single embryo transfer for PGT normal embryo. They informed me of the risks related to multiple transferred and that single people transfer has just as good results.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
When my protocol changed for cycles to cycle, sometimes my nurse wasn't fully aware of the change.
He [Dr. Kort] has an incredible gift to both make people feel they are collaborating with him while also remaining 10 steps ahead-exactly what an RE should be. His deep sensitivity, responsiveness, thoroughness, attentiveness, and patience while also being direct redefines patient care. He offers more than just good "bed-side manner" He is involved and engaged as if this were his life-there is nothing about him that is on the sidelines...
The clinic [RMA of Northern California] runs smoothly and people are friendly and there is an inclusive feel/environment. It is conveniently located. Sometimes, blood draws were challenging and I had to be poked multiple times. We were always seen right away and didn't have to wait long...The whole team is wonderful-Dr. Kort is so available however, I felt like most communicating happen directly with him...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
We were expecting to get pregnant, we weren't expecting to have our lives deeply impacted-and possibly forever changed- by his care. He is completely revolutionizing doctor-patient care with his deep level of involvement, commitment to and passion for having you feel both cared for AND achieving a desired outcome. He is the therapist of REs: empathic, attuned, warm, calm but also direct, honest and firm when needed. Like his colleagues, he is smart, but there is something unique about him-he knows reproductive endocrinology as if it's in his DNA. He was born to do this work. Endlessly patient, he will explain a difficult concept so clearly, with such precision, really offering an experience of true collaboration....however, he is always many steps ahead. We were a bit hesitant at first because he doesn't have the same experience as some of the other REs we had worked with (perhaps a strength) but that was put to rest right away--clearly an expert, possibly a genius.
Even before starting a cycle with him, he was offering ideas that other REs hadn't thought of or taken the time to notice (Using a trigger shot to stop an estrogen producing cyst vs. staying on suppression meds for months that weren't effective). He is quick to think of solutions when cases get difficult, like running an RPL panel while still pregnant to see if levels are elevated (when levels weren't elevated previously) so he can use those results to make improvements for the next transfer cycle. My OBGYN refused to run the panel stating "we never run those while still pregnant" One level came back slightly elevated-to my surprise- and that small detail changes the next transfer protocol. Most importantly, he stressed a re-biopsy before transfer when my previous RE didn't think it was necessary and it turned up positive requiring a lot more treatment before we could move forward with our transfer.This is a testament to his thoroughness.
As I write this, Dr. Kort is still communicating with me--extremely responsive-- (even though I am not in an active treatment cycle) really offering support during a difficult time. There were countless times when he would call me directly to answer the many questions I had sometimes off hours when we weren't flexible to accommodate his schedule. He consistently fit us in for consultations generously often literally answering questions before asked and easing anxiety-he remembered parts of the treatment plan that even I had forgotten-clearly on top of our plan and giving us such confidence in his expertise. At some point, I was very frustrated that we couldn't move on with our transfer and he was equally frustrated-so in it with us.
Once I called in to speak with a nurse, as I was used to doing in my last clinic-where I never spoke with my RE directly, the nurse wasn't available and within two minutes Dr. Kort had called me back and asked if there was anything HE could do to help. He asked with such authentic humility. This is one of many examples that illustrate his responsiveness and availability.
Our case is a bit complex and we haven't been the easiest patients to work with-a bit over-reactive in moments-emotions (and hormones) running high but Dr. Kort has been so patient, containing, grounding and extremely present when things have fallen apart--going beyond what any other RE would provide.
He will also take into account what other REs have done/said (if in agreement) in order to get the best results-more concerned with your success than his ego.
I have had multiple uterine biopsies and he is very skilled and gentle making that process a little less painful.
When it came down to making very difficult decisions about how to proceed, Dr. Kort was so compassionate while letting us know honestly what he thought was the most efficient way forward.
He is not perfect, still human, you need to, in moments, ask him to be direct. He can get caught with his involvement and passion and say things prematurely (That are still accurate).
All that being said, he will likely be the most incredible physician you will work with in your lifetime and like us, you may end up feeling permanently inspired and changed by his deep humanity-a role model for all of us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Don't worry about burdening him with your questions or concerns, he can handle it. He will match you and can pick up quickly on your style; if you want him to be direct, give an opinion he will do that.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have never felt more respected by a medical professional in my entire life. Dr. Kort honestly felt like family. He has an incredible gift to both make people feel they are collaborating with him while also remaining 10 steps ahead-exactly what an RE should be. His deep sensitivity, responsiveness, thoroughness, attentiveness, and patience while also being direct redefines patient care. He offers more than just good "bed-side manner" He is involved and engaged as if this were his life-there is nothing about him that is on the sidelines. There is no one better.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Estrogen priming
HGH (50 every other day)
Menopur (150)
Gonal-F (300)
I really wanted to add HGH to the protocol.
Resulted in one euploid embryo (age almost 41)
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen Montesinos, RN)
The whole team is wonderful-Dr. Kort is so available however, I felt like most communicating happen directly with him.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic runs smoothly and people are friendly and there is an inclusive feel/environment. It is conveniently located. Sometimes, blood draws were challenging and I had to be poked multiple times. We were always seen right away and didn't have to wait long.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Insurance covered most-we paid 10%. I think the total including transfer was $22,000 (not including additional ultrasounds and testing).
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I think he prefers single embryo transfer but this was not relevant for us.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Failed to call with results
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
I wasn't told right away about results PGS-A testing results and had to ask. The original protocol left out HGH and I had to ask about that medication and how much to take.
He [Dr. Morin] answered my many worried questions in the beginning with a lot of patience and knowledge, and explaining all the science behind the process when I asked, which was what I was hoping for and gave me peace of mind. My egg freezing process was very clearly explained, and I knew after every appointment what were the next steps and as such felt very safe and cared for...Leuprolide trigger shot to avoid OHSS during the egg freezing process...
It's [RMA of Northern California] a great clinic! The doctors and nurses handled my case perfectly. I felt very cared for and felt like I knew at every stage what to do. They were also friendly and encouraging the whole way. I really liked the communication through the Spruce app as it allowed constant contact, getting frequent instructions about medications and answers to my questions through the process...
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I was very worried at the beginning about OHSS. Dr. Morin eliminated this risk completely by using a leuprolide trigger shot. As such, my whole experience was seamless. He answered my many worried questions in the beginning with a lot of patience and knowledge, and explaining all the science behind the process when I asked, which was what I was hoping for and gave me peace of mind. My egg freezing process was very clearly explained, and I knew after every appointment what were the next steps and as such felt very safe and cared for. I had the same type of excellent experience during my egg retrieval, and again was very grateful for the level of care and professionalism with which such an important dream of mine was handled.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Work with him!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I asked a lot of detailed questions during the cycle or got worried about specific aspects of the process, since it was new to me. I always got prompt and very rigorous answers on the Spruce messaging app and in person. So I constantly felt very cared for.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Leuprolide trigger shot to avoid OHSS during the egg freezing process.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Vicki Lee)
Extremely thorough with instructions, and prompt with answers on the messaging app.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
It's a great clinic! The doctors and nurses handled my case perfectly. I felt very cared for and felt like I knew at every stage what to do. They were also friendly and encouraging the whole way. I really liked the communication through the Spruce app as it allowed constant contact, getting frequent instructions about medications and answers to my questions through the process. Would recommend 100%, which is why I did my second egg freezing cycle there as well.
Dr Morin seemed professional if a bit abrupt/hurried sometimes. It seemed like the Spruce messaging system didn’t allow for much in-depth consultation about our protocol...He was responsive on Spruce but the medium of writing text messages made it feel less personal. We got less thorough responses to our questions and we had to set up calls with him separately to address our questions...
[RMA of Northern California Really convenient hours for going in for ultrasound, lots of early morning appointments so it won't disrupt work schedules as much. They were usually on-time with appointments and the blood draws went smoothly. Very responsive on Spruce, although it was a bad place to ask anything in-depth since responses were usually really short. And you had no idea who you'd be talking to on that app, it could be a nurse or the doctor or someone else...
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Morin seemed professional if a bit abrupt/hurried sometimes. It seemed like the Spruce messaging system didn’t allow for much in-depth consultation about our protocol.
Towards the end, after two failed egg retrieval cycles, they said they would only do one more egg retrieval with us and after that it would be donor eggs.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Be prepared with all your questions if you get to see him at your appointment. Also try to book calls if you can if you have a lot of questions during your cycle or to follow up about changes to protocols.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
He was responsive on Spruce but the medium of writing text messages made it feel less personal. We got less thorough responses to our questions and we had to set up calls with him separately to address our questions.
The doctors at the clinic seemed caring though, they would deliver the bad news over the phone to us.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We tried Clomid for 5 days first +150IU of Menopur, the second cycle we suggested a long lupron. This was due to DOR. Both didn't end up working well for us. I think mainly ICSI isn't good for DOR and the egg wouldn't fertilize.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
Nursing staff were very professional and helpful at this clinic.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Really convenient hours for going in for ultrasound, lots of early morning appointments so it won't disrupt work schedules as much. They were usually on-time with appointments and the blood draws went smoothly.
Very responsive on Spruce, although it was a bad place to ask anything in-depth since responses were usually really short. And you had no idea who you'd be talking to on that app, it could be a nurse or the doctor or someone else.
Great waiting room area, and the whole egg retrieval process was smooth there (great communication with my husband about when to pick me up).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
about $10,000 for our cycles, but we didn't get any fertilized embryos from them.
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
They didn't really have any strong suggestions on changes to protocols, nor did they suggest using conventional IVF fertilization
Dr. Morin was always willing to connect in whatever way made sense for me. I had an initial consultation just me and him, and then a second meeting where my partner joined. He was always helpful in breaking down the complex information into easy to understand analogies to make sure that we understood exactly what the plan was and how we should move forward.
Their patient app is extremely easy to use and you can reach the nurses and doctors at any time of day. I was constantly amazed at how often it was one of the doctors responding directly to any questions or concerns. Flexibility: RMA truly worked around my schedule. I never felt like I had to bend my life to fit their timelines...I never waited more than 10-15 minutes in the waiting room before being taken back
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Morin was always warm and welcoming when I would see him. He was great at breaking down information to ensure complete understanding, and always took the time to answer my (very long) list of questions.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Ask whatever is on your mind! He is an amazing resource and was always so kind when answering even the most basic of questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Morin was always willing to connect in whatever way made sense for me. I had an initial consultation just me and him, and then a second meeting where my partner joined. He was always helpful in breaking down the complex information into easy to understand analogies to make sure that we understood exactly what the plan was and how we should move forward.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Note: I did this for fertility preservation and not due to infertility, so results may be triggering to those struggling to conceive.
I went through 3 rounds with Dr. Morin, all following a very similar protocol. I had no complications or risk factors, and was seeing him for fertility preservation (not actively trying to conceive) so my protocol was fairly straightforward. For each of my three cycles I started out with Gonal F (FSH) 225 units and Menopur (1 vial). In my first cycle they added a second vial of Menopur on the 5th day based on bloodwork.
Each cycle I used Cetrotide, beginning on the 7th day of the first cycle, 5th day of the second cycle, and 6th day of the final cycle. On my second cycle they actually instructed me to take a dose of Cetrotide immediately after my appointment and then again with my nightly routine due to the quick growth rate.
I had near daily bloodwork and follicle count appointments, and used Lupron 40 mg for my trigger, and these were taken on the 11th, 10th and 12th day of my three cycles respectively.
Cycle one: (all embryos round)
- 13 days of injections including trigger
- 26 eggs retrieved, 8 healthy embryos
Cycle two: (eggs only round)
- 11 days of injections including trigger
- 21 eggs retrieved, 18 mature
Cycle three: (eggs only round)
- 13 days of injections including trigger
- 36 retrieved, 32 mature
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Overall, top notch experience. Their patient app is extremely easy to use and you can reach the nurses and doctors at any time of day. I was constantly amazed at how often it was one of the doctors responding directly to any questions or concerns.
Flexibility: RMA truly worked around my schedule. I never felt like I had to bend my life to fit their timelines. During my third cycle, I wanted to get it in before the EOY for insurance reasons. I know many clinics avoid starting new cycles around the holidays, but RMA did not bat an eye. They helped me do the math to ensure I could finish the cycle before my holiday travel and that it would be safe and healthy to do so.
Onsite: I never waited more than 10-15 minutes in the waiting room before being taken back, and similar timing once in the exam room.
Daily checkins: I typically saw a NP for each of these visits (instead of the Doctor) but I didn't mind this and never asked to specifically see Dr. Morin.
Blood work: they have an onsite lab and this was one of the easiest pieces. Once you did your exam you would just stop by the lab, take a seat, and be out the door in minutes
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
RMA was in-network with Progyny and Blue Cross insurance, so while I hit my out of pocket maximum for the year, all of my tests and procedures were covered.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
At one point my coordinator sent me the incorrect protocol information via the patient portal. It was clear there was a copy/paste template and I was accidentally sent another patient's instructions (note: no PII or personal information was included). The message had the wrong trigger shot information (type and time). The coordinator immediately recognized the mistake, and not only send two follow up notes but also called to speak to me directly to apologize and ensure I knew the correct instructions. I am a big believe that mistakes happen (we are all human) and the way the clinic handled it to ensure I knew the right info was spot on.
Dr. Kaser instantly made me feel like a human...clear he had reviewed my chart and knew both clinically relevant and personal information about me and my husband...started seeing him with a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve...took the time to evaluate whether that diagnosis was appropriate, explain what that really meant, and offer me hope. Any time we were waiting for results, he called me personally (even on his vacation/after hours). I never felt like a number, and I always felt like he really cared about me and our family goals.
I loved being a patient at RMA. I appreciated being seen in both Palo Alto and San Francisco. The whole team was wonderful, so even when Dr. Kaser was out, i felt like I was in good hands...Any time we were waiting for results, [Doctor] called me personally (even on his vacation/after hours)...$15K for first retrieval, second was discounted, then $4K for embryo transfer...
How was your experience with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
I cannot recommend Dr. Kaser highly enough. I started seeing him with a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, and he took the time to evaluate whether that diagnosis was appropriate, explain what that really meant, and offer me hope. Any time we were waiting for results, he called me personally (even on his vacation/after hours). I never felt like a number, and I always felt like he really cared about me and our family goals.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
When he starts white-boarding the math around egg retrieval, take pictures!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kaser instantly made me feel like a human. Before meeting with me, it was clear he had reviewed my chart and knew both clinically relevant and personal information about me and my husband. He knew when we were waiting for important test results, and he would call after hours if needed. I felt truly cared for by Dr. Kaser through every step of the process.
Describe the protocols Daniel Kaser used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Round 1: menopur, gonal f then cetrotide, dual trigger— 7 eggs retrieved, 7 mature & fertilized, 5 blasts (2 day 6, 3 day 7), 4 pgs normal
Round 2: clomid, menopur, gonal f then cetrotide, dual trigger— 15 eggs, 15 mature, 14 fertilized, 6 blasts (1 day 5, 2 day 6, 3 day 7), 3 pgs normal
Frozen transfer: natural cycle with dual trigger
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
I loved being a patient at RMA. I appreciated being seen in both Palo Alto and San Francisco. The whole team was wonderful, so even when Dr. Kaser was out, i felt like I was in good hands with Dr. Morin and Dr. Kort.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California.
$15K for first retrieval, second was discounted, then $4K for embryo transfer
Describe Daniel Kaser's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
The opportunity for a multiple embryo transfer was never discussed
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Failed to send your chart to another clinic
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
There were some issues having my records transferred to my Obgyn but I was easily able to fix that with one phone call.
I had several risk factors for OHSS, and he [Dr. Morin] and the team customized my protocol to reduce that risk essentially down to zero. The day of my retrieval, I felt essentially no anxiety because I felt so confident in his care...I was at higher risk for OHSS, so they amended my protocol accordingly to avoid overstimulation, and then used a Lupron trigger instead of a traditional hCG injection to minimize my risk...
The entire staff [at RMA of Northern California] is exceedingly kind and accommodating, in addition to being extremely organized and compassionate. Another thing of note about RMA is Spruce, the messaging app they use. The responses are crazy fast...I was assigned a primary nurse who checked in with me almost daily, and felt like they cared about me each time I went in for an appointment...
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I was initially hesitant to work with a fertility clinic with male providers, but went for it given the rave reviews I'd heard about RMA. After working with Dr. Morin, I can confirm that all of the positive feedback is completely warranted. Dr. Morin has an exceptional bedside manner, is patient, gentle, and thorough. I completely trusted his treatment plan, and judgment, so much so that I found the injection and retrieval process significantly easier than friends who have gone through the process with other doctors. I had several risk factors for OHSS, and he and the team customized my protocol to reduce that risk essentially down to zero. The day of my retrieval, I felt essentially no anxiety because I felt so confident in his care. I wish all clinics provided the level of care RMA and Dr. Morin provide!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
No advice except make the appointment and get started! RMA and Dr. Morin provide such compassionate care, I'm so thankful to have found them and recommend them to everyone I know!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
The care I received at RMA was the best medical care I've ever received! Dr. Morin and his team are so warm, compassionate, and positive. I was assigned a primary nurse who checked in with me almost daily, and felt like they cared about me each time I went in for an appointment.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
My protocol was menopur and Gonal-F only days 1-4 of stimulation, and then adding in cetrotide on day 5. This continued through day 9. On day 10 of stimulation I went in for my final ultrasound, and triggered that evening with Lupron, and then a second Lupron trigger the next morning. 36 hours after the first trigger was when my retrieval was scheduled for. I was at higher risk for OHSS, so they amended my protocol accordingly to avoid overstimulation, and then used a Lupron trigger instead of a traditional hCG injection to minimize my risk.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Liz)
Liz was my primary nurse, and I also worked quite a bit with Meredith, their NP. At the time of my retrieval I also worked with Jenna and Ashley. They were all completely wonderful. Liz checked in with me multiple times a week throughout my stimulation cycle, responded exceptionally quickly to messages, and she and Meredith even sent me well wishes the morning of my retrieval, and congratulations afterwards. Jenna called me to give detailed instructions about my trigger shot (the most important one in the stimulation cycle), and Ashley took care of me at egg retrieval, and checked in on me the following day.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
I recommend completely, with no hesitations to all of my friends considering egg freezing or fertility treatments. The entire staff is exceedingly kind and accommodating, in addition to being extremely organized and compassionate. Another thing of note about RMA is Spruce, the messaging app they use. The responses are crazy fast (like within the hour normally, and you'll frequently hear directly from one of the doctors even if it's a minor question, and even if it's after clinic hours). In most medical settings it's really difficult to get in touch with your provider--at RMA they provide concierge care, and no question goes unanswered. Morning monitoring appointments are at convenient times beginning at 7AM, and are on-time and very fast, which is really helpful when you're working and going through fertility treatments simultaneously. Location-wise, the office is a quick walk from the Embarcadero BART station, which made it easy for me to get to.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
My care was covered by my employer, but all insurance and billing was handled quickly and with no follow-up required on my part.
Dr. Morin acted with urgency to create a plan to move forward and leveraged both scientific literature as well as his own experience develop a treatment plan. When we had a failed third cycle using ICSI, Dr. Morin was the one who gave us the motivation, confidence, and clinical rationale to try one more time with a different protocol - resulting in a successful embryo transfer...
[RMA of Northern California was] Very accommodating and flexible to my work schedule...front desk staff knew me. Everything in same place - so I got my covid test, blood draw, procedures, check-up all in the same place...but parking is tough...Talk through what your goals, expectations and tolerance for treatment is at the first visit - RMA will customize a plan that works best for you...
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
I went to see Dr. Morin after two failed cycles with another clinic who could not provide me answers or a path forward (all embroys failed PGT testing). Dr. Morin acted with urgency to create a plan to move forward and leveraged both scientific literature as well as his own experience develop a treatment plan. When we had a failed third cycle using ICSI, Dr. Morin was the one who gave us the motivation, confidence, and clinical rationale to try one more time with a different protocol - resulting in a successful embryo transfer. I do not believe we would have had success with another clinic.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Talk through what your goals, expectations and tolerance for treatment is at the first visit - RMA will customize a plan that works best for you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
At my request, I wanted to understand all of the data, lab results, clinical studies, and data behind his decisions. He spent a lot of time ensuring that I understood the reasoning behind his treatment decisions so I felt empowered in our choices.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Third IVF cycle: used ICSI, retrieved 8 eggs, 6 fertilized, and only 1 made it to blast. PGT abnormal (I believe both of these were the flare protocol)
Fourth cycle: used omnitrope (for first time), 8 eggs, 6 fertilized, 3 to blast, and 1 normal, which was transferred and resulted in an active current pregnancy
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strengths: Very accommodating and flexible to my work schedule - a huge bonus to me. Felt personal - front desk staff knew me. Everything in same place - so I got my covid test, blood draw, procedures, check-up all in the same place.
Weaknesses- this doesnt even matter in the scheme of things, but parking is tough.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
Insurance covered my IVF cycles. Transfer was about $4200
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I did not want multiple embryo transfers. We did not discuss.
Dr. Kort is incredibly caring, knowledgeable and genuine. It meant a lot he would remember little bits of our conversation from previous appointments. I loved that he didn’t push me towards moving forward with any services at our consult and truly wants the best for his patients. He has great bedside manner (so refreshing!) and kindly answered my endless questions. When I had an injection mishap late on a Sunday night, Dr. Kort got back to me right away on next steps through the Spruce app.
Vicki, Paige and the rest of the team at RMA are incredible. They were so patient dealing with my small veins and answering my numerous questions...Make sure you have your prescription and insurance squared away before your cycle starts so you aren’t panicked about meds arriving in time like I was. When my period started earlier than expected, the RMA team didn’t hesitate to quickly take action and make sure I was set....
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I normally don’t post many reviews, but I felt compelled to review Dr. Kort (the positive reviews aren’t too good to be true!) Dr. Kort feels like a trusted friend with my best interests at heart. He provides concierge-level care and his thoughtful nature soothes any nerves or anxiety you may have. I’m someone who doesn’t do okay with foreign objects in my private area (truly, like I disliked Pap smears so much I *accidentally* went 7 years between them) but Dr. Kort is kind, communicative and compassionate with ultrasounds and all communications. I felt very lucky he did my egg retrieval and I saw him for all but one appointment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Make sure you have your prescription and insurance squared away before your cycle starts so you aren’t panicked about meds arriving in time like I was. When my period started earlier than expected, the RMA team didn’t hesitate to quickly take action and make sure I was set.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is incredibly caring, knowledgeable and genuine. It meant a lot he would remember little bits of our conversation from previous appointments. I loved that he didn’t push me towards moving forward with any services at our consult and truly wants the best for his patients. He has great bedside manner (so refreshing!) and kindly answered my endless questions. When I had an injection mishap late on a Sunday night, Dr. Kort got back to me right away on next steps through the Spruce app. Another time I thought I was missing a medication, I sent a late message (yet again) and was mortified to find I had it all along. Dr. Kort didn’t skip a beat and was a total champ about it! In my check-ups he identified things I should keep an eye on annually that I never would have known about. I’m so incredibly grateful to Dr. Kort and have recommended him/RMA to countless colleagues and friends!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
FSH, Menopur, Cetrotide followed by Lupron trigger
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
Vicki, Paige and the rest of the team at RMA are incredible. They were so patient dealing with my small veins and answering my numerous questions (e.g., no you shouldn't do reformer Pilates during cycle). I apparently asked if I could nap longer after my procedure and they graciously rolled with the punches. Who knew RMA was spa-like in so many ways!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Jena at the front desk and the entire RMA team were so welcoming. They were also very accommodating with my schedule - I was nervous about traveling from the east bay, starting a new job and potentially missing work, but it never was an issue. The appointments were a breeze!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Dr Morin makes you feel as if you are his only patient...my primary communicator was Dr Morin himself...I always looked forward to my appointments because I always left feeling informed, cared for, and as though he was really making a difference in my process. Every step was thoroughly explained to me and I never felt as if I was just a number or that any part of the process was just to make money...
Every staff member of this clinic [RMA of Northern California] was exceptional, from front desk, to lab techs, to nurses and doctors...The finance team worked diligently with me to make sure all parts of my treatment were billed through my insurance and for my payments as well...I actually didn't interact much with my nurse, my primary communicator was Dr Morin himself. But every interaction with Kristin [nurse] was very efficient, informative, and pleasant....
How was your experience with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Morin makes this time in your life and this difficult experience and makes it more than tolerable. I always looked forward to my appointments because I always left feeling informed, cared for, and as though he was really making a difference in my process. Every step was thoroughly explained to me and I never felt as if I was just a number or that any part of the process was just to make money.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Ask all of your questions. Don't feel as if any question is stupid. Dr Morin never made me feel that way, and he always seems more than willing to sit and talk your questions and concerns out with you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Morin makes you feel as if you are his only patient, in fact I even checked with the front desk staff to make sure I wasn't. He takes the time to explain every part of every procedure and the reason it is necessary. He makes sure you are informed and knowledgable before moving forward with any part of your process.
Describe the protocols Scott Morin used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Our only diagnosis was male factor infertility, so my process was a fairly straight-forward IVF egg retrieval, ICSI, and frozen embryo transfer. All of my procedures went seamlessly and I had few hiccups once in his care. The only issue we had was a blood marker that arose in my husband's bloodwork that we needed to see a different specialist for. But even then- Dr Morin worked to get that taken care of in a timely manner and made sure my cycle was not disrupted or delayed for this reason.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristin)
I actually didn't interact much with my nurse, my primary communicator was Dr Morin himself. But every interaction with Kristin was very efficient, informative, and pleasant.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Every staff member of this clinic was exceptional, from front desk, to lab techs, to nurses and doctors. I never had a less than perfect experience with any visit. Even when visits were difficult due to things not going my way, I never had a bad experience with any of them. And I ask A LOT of questions.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Scott Morin at RMA of Northern California.
My insurance, luckily, covered 50% of some of the procedures and most of my medications. The finance team worked diligently with me to make sure all parts of my treatment were billed through my insurance and for my payments as well.
Describe Scott Morin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I asked about this and Dr Morin explained to me the additional risks involved with multiple embryo transfer. And given my already advanced age, my husband and I decided on single embryo transfer.
Dr. Kaser has wonderful bedside manner. He always made you feel welcome in his presence...The reason I have rated him neutrally is although he was very kind, so many mistakes were made to my care at RMA under Dr. Kaser's care... once we were in the throws of IVF, I felt completely bewildered by our experience - it was not at all how he had presented IVF to us...As soon as we hit rough waters, he completely abandoned us and left us completely lost as to what to do next...
Billing department [at RMA of Northern California] is a NIGHTMARE. I was billed for things that were not done and overcharged for certain procedures even though we had signed a contract for a bundled package...The price of these procedures is not given to you beforehand...Spruce is accessible by the entire clinical staff, not just the nurses and doctors...
How was your experience with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kaser seemed so genuinely sweet when my husband and I met him over video visit for our initial consult. He was very caring and seemed so invested in us having the family that we wanted. After my initial ultrasound he was thrilled with my antral follicle count and thought we would be very successful with IVF. I definitely wish he spent more time telling us the truth about the potential steps in the IVF process (he oversimplified the process and never mentioned certain procedures like saline ultrasound, hysteroscopy, birth control, etc.) in our consult, as well as the potential outcomes after an embryo transfer in more realistic terms (he gave us a 70% success rate with our first embryo transfer which was not successful). I am a physician myself (not an Ob) so I expected him to be very thorough in his explanation of all the procedures. He was so generous with his time and sometimes didn't charge us for certain procedures, but once we were in the throws of IVF, I felt completely bewildered by our experience - it was not at all how he had presented IVF to us. During our first frozen embryo transfer, we did get a positive pregnancy test, but there was no yolk sac visible during the initial ultrasound. My HCG level had started really low, but it doubled quickly as expected. Instead of explaining why there was nothing on the initial scan, he ran out of the room looking panicked and said "you need blood work" over his shoulder before heading out the door. My husband and I totally freaked out and started sobbing when he left. We didn't sleep well until our follow up ultrasound 5 days later where thankfully we saw a yolk sac, but unfortunately this transfer ended in a blighted ovum (I had no idea what a blighted ovum was or that it was a potential outcome of a transfer). I had lots of issues with my insurance so I decided to do a D&C outside of RMA. My colleague also went to RMA where she was charged almost $5K for a D&C (she was not told this cost upfront) that was not covered with our insurance so I decided to get the procedure done in my hospital system. I had told Dr. Kaser that I needed a break because I was so devastated by this outcome. I did not feel properly prepared for the potential of a loss after a successful implantation. He never called me afterwards to check in on me after this devastating loss. I was so distressed that I might have put myself at risk for breast cancer (I have a strong family history of breast cancer and was rightly concerned about taking high potency hormone injections for IVF). When my husband called Dr. Kaser crying that I was inconsolable after the loss because of my fear of having increased my chances of breast cancer by doing IVF Dr. Kaser immediately became defensive and said "our drugs don't cause cancer!". I felt completely abandoned, invalidated and betrayed by Dr. Kaser. I could not see him as my provider afterwards even though we still had 3 remaining embryos at that time. I lost my respect for him and no longer felt safe in his care.
I think Dr. Kaser is a great doctor if everything goes smoothly in your case and there are no setbacks. As soon as we hit rough waters, he completely abandoned us and left us completely lost as to what to do next. I think he lacks maturity and will hopefully learn to be a more steadfast guide on this very scary, tumultuous and personal journey for couples.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Make sure you ask detailed questions about the process. This process costs tens of thousands of dollars, has many risks, and is a LONG journey - you deserve his time. Do not feel rushed to make any decisions while you are in his presence (we did). Think things over and make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Hold Dr. Kaser accountable when mistakes are made.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kaser has wonderful bedside manner. He always made you feel welcome in his presence. He also shared his personal IVF journey to make us feel comfortable as IVF is very emotional and overwhelming. The reason I have rated him neutrally is although he was very kind, so many mistakes were made to my care at RMA under Dr. Kaser's care. My hysteroscopy was cancelled an hour and a half before it was scheduled even though I was NPO for 10 hours because the anesthesiologist needed a negative covid test. No one had told me to get a covid test so of course my case needed to be cancelled. Both my husband and I had taken time off work to get this procedure done and we were very upset that this happened when it easily could have been avoided if we were told to get covid tested beforehand. I also had to go back to the clinic 3 times on the same day to get supplies for our IVF injections because of communication error. Every time we messaged on the Spruce app, some random person would respond, not just Dr. Kaser. We also had to wait over a week to get our PGT-A testing results back. Dr. Kaser is usually so prompt in his messaging we were surprised that he took almost 2 weeks to get our results back. My husband even called the lab directly and they said they had already given the results to RMA. When my husband called the front desk about our test results, the secretary told him that they didn't know where our results were (my husband thought they had lost our precious embryos). The whole experience was very traumatizing and could have been smoother with more effective communication. I definitely felt like the clinic dropped the ball several times in our care.
Describe the protocols Daniel Kaser used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I overreacted to the medications so I underwent less medications than I was supposed to do. I believe I did 3 days of gonal F and menopur, then they added Ganirelix until I was ready to do the trigger shot (0.25 of 10,000 units HCG). I was told I was ready for retrieval on my first ultrasound which made me so overwhelmed because I was expecting to do the medications for 2 weeks.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen)
Kristen is a really sweet, but she was so disorganized and became very defensive if a mistake was made because she failed to communicate something important to me. The day before my retrieval she called me panicked because I did not have an HIV test results (and something else sorry I forgot). We had gone over the lab results with our doctor before the retrieval and he said everything was in order. Instead of admitting that a mistake was made she said "Dr Kaser told you to get this done". He did not. We were given a list of lab tests to be done. I showed them the tests that I had done. They said they had reviewed them but clearly they did not. I had to wake up 2 hours early to go to the lab to get these last minute tests done before working as a physician myself in order to get the results to them prior to the retrieval. The retrieval was SO stressful and having this last minute test done added unnecessary stress. I also had so many nurses interact with me who often didn't know my protocol (or anything about me). When Kristen did call with HCG results she was always professional and sweet, but it was not consistently her who was calling me.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Pros:
- RMA can get you in super quickly and they will churn and burn you.
- They are open 7 days a week so a modified natural cycle is a possibility at this site.
- They use an app called Spruce to communicate with you. You can expect a response from someone on the team within 2 hours (sometimes as quick as 5 minutes!).
- The staff are very welcoming and kind.
Cons:
- Billing department is a NIGHTMARE. I was billed for things that were not done and overcharged for certain procedures even though we had signed a contract for a bundled package. We needed to get the central billing department involved and we still do not have our issues resolved. The billing is not transparent and the person who we are interacting with is not consistent in emailing you back and gives you contradictory information. SO FRUSTRATING.
- You feel very pressured to keep doing procedures. The price of these procedures is not given to you beforehand.
- The IVF process was oversimplified and the expected outcomes over promised. For something as intimate as having a family, I would expect these doctors to deliver more realistic odds of success and to have more compassion when things go wrong. Most other clinics have a follow up check in 6 weeks after a loss so you don't feel lost and abandoned by your clinic. My friends who have gone elsewhere thought the fact that our doctor never reached out to us was inhumane and just mean.
- You are definitely treated like a lab rat as a woman at RMA - poked and prodded SO many times with no impact on your outcome. Your protocol is not tailored to you at all. It is there way or the highway.
- I also think they promote procedures to get more money without always adding to your clinical outcome. I think it is wrong that they added certain blood tests without my permission (of course not covered by my insurance) just for monetary gain.
- Spruce is accessible by the entire clinical staff, not just the nurses and doctors. I remember receiving a message from one of the billing staff about my vaginal bleeding and I was horrified. I asked that my account remain private to just MD/RNs but that is not possible through the Spruce app. I felt like this was an invasion of my privacy and I wish someone had told me this before I started using it.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Monitoring appointments were so overwhelming. We would get an appointment slot but the doctor would be doing an egg retrieval or something else in an entirely different area so you were often asked if you wouldn't mind seeing the NP instead. I am not sure why they offered appointments when the doctor was not available. I found this very frustrating.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Daniel Kaser at RMA of Northern California.
IUI was around $650; egg retrieval cost around $14K, drugs for IVF cost around $4.5K; transfer was supposed to cost $4200, but ended up being $4500-7000+ for each transfer not including medications.
Describe Daniel Kaser's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I agree with only transferring one embryo at a time. It did not seem like RMA promoted multiple embryo transfers.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Lost appointments
Failed to call with results
Lost results
Provided conflicting information
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
We were not given our PGT-A test results during the time frame promised (7 days). When we called the lab who did our testing on a Wednesday, they said they had already sent it to RMA on the previous Monday. When my husband called RMA about this, the front desk staff said they didn't know where our test results were. My husband thought she meant they lost our embryos and we were both so upset. Thankfully Dr. Kaser called us the following evening to go over the results, but this was so upsetting and completely avoidable.
I was told I needed an emergent hysteroscopy after Dr. Kaser saw something on my saline ultrasound on a Friday. We were told to do the procedure on Tuesday when we both had work. We cancelled our work schedules, I was NPO since the night before and then 1.5 hours prior to my procedure, Dr. Kaser called to ask me if by chance I had a covid test done. I was not advised to do a covid test and didn't need one for my egg retrieval a couple weeks prior so I was surprised that he didn't tell me about this requirement. The anesthesiologist refused to see me and my scope was cancelled. My husband is a lawyer and had to cancel he had with a team in Japan and I am a physician so I had to cancel my clinic. I was so upset about this cancellation and had to wait until the following Wednesday to get the scope done.
I had specifically asked how painful the hysteroscopy was but Dr. Kaser said I shouldn't have any issues since I had no pain after the egg retrieval. I woke up with 8/10 pain while still foggy from the anesthesia and needed two boluses of fentanyl to stop sobbing from the pain. When I informed him that I experienced a lot more pain than I had expected he dismissed me and said "cervices are irritable". I was LLIVID with this response. We are taught in medical school to show compassion and to say you are sorry if things do not go well. He has never said he was sorry for causing me so much pain.