Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
2021 - 2022, Unknown Success
She demonstrated expertise in her field and was a clear communicator. She was thorough when explaining treatment plans and was fully present at each appointment and procedure. After several failed IUIs, IVFs, and one embryo transfer resulting in a miscarriage, Dr. Clapp managed our treatment for FET using donated embryos. She worked closely with both the agency and myself when coordinating the logistics
[the Aspire Houston Fertility nurse] clearly documented instructions for my protocol and was available to answer any questions. She was also punctual when calling in prescriptions and was an expert at demonstrating how to administer the intramuscular injections...The administrative staff shows little compassion in regards to billing transparency and responsiveness to returning phone calls, voicemail and/or emails.
How was your experience with Alexa Clapp at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
From my initial consult through my FET treatment, I felt welcomed by Dr. Clapp. She demonstrated expertise in her field and was a clear communicator. She was thorough when explaining treatment plans and was fully present at each appointment and procedure.
After several failed IUIs, IVFs, and one embryo transfer resulting in a miscarriage, Dr. Clapp managed our treatment for FET using donated embryos. She worked closely with both the agency and myself when coordinating the logistics. When we were matched with embryos through our agency, she thoroughly reviewed all relevant information to make sure they met the criterion set by the clinic to ensure our best odds for success and then consulted with us.
Unfortunately, on the day of our transfer, we lost all of our embryos in the thaw. Both she and her nurse were extremely compassionate that morning and handled the situation with exemplar bed side manner. I felt like I was her only patient that morning as a tried to understand what had happened. She never once made me feel rushed as I asked her many questions and she was 100% present and engaged.
We will likely continue treatment with Dr. Clapp using donated embryos.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alexa Clapp at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding your treatment and protocol. She will welcome these questions and do her best to answer them thoroughly.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alexa Clapp at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
While I feel that Dr. Clapp treated and respected me as a patient and human, the administrative staff absolutely does not. The administrative staff shows little compassion in regards to billing transparency and responsiveness to returning phone calls, voicemail and/or emails.
Describe the protocols Alexa Clapp used in your cycles at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
My treatment strategy included a common protocol for FET (frozen embryo transfer) including:
- Estrace pills
- Minivelle patches
- baby Aspirin
- Progesterone in oil
- Prednisone
- motrin
I had several ultrasound and bloodwork monitoring appointments prior to the transfer date. These appointments confirmed that my body was responding ideally to the medications and my uterine lining progressed exactly as expected.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Amber Bross)
Amber was great at returning phone calls and messages through the patient portal. She clearly documented instructions for my protocol and was available to answer any questions. She was also punctual when calling in prescriptions and was an expert at demonstrating how to administer the intramuscular injections.
Amber took the initiate to reach out to me once she learned that we had lost our embryos in the thaw and were unable to do a transfer. She showed compassion.
Describe your experience with Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
Unfortunately, we have not had a positive experience relating to the clinic's administrative staff or processes.
At the beginning of our interactions, it was extremely difficult to get a hold of anyone at the clinic to make initial appointments, check up on the status of our embryos (medical record review, shipping status, etc.) Once I actually started treamtents, this improved when I was assigned a dedicated nurse and was able to communicate through the portal.
Additionally, we have had a terrible experience with the financial and billing departments. It has been nearly impossible to obtain a transparent quote for out treatment. I have received at least 3 different bills for the exact same services all indicating different amounts are due. Even after making payment, I still receive additional bills indicating I owe more for the same services. There biiling is currently outsourced with a third-party. I have spent hours on the phone try to understand my bills and requesting accurate invoices. It doesn't appear that much communication happens between the clinic and the billing company as they both point me to each other regarding the manner. I was also charged prior to my FET. When it was cancelled, it took over a month to receive a refund for the procedure.
I have expressed this dissatisfaction to a financial manager at the clinic but have yet to see any improvement.
It's unfortunate because Dr. Clapp and her nurses are extremely professional; however, most of my interactions with the clinic have been administrative in nature. This has left me with a bad impression. Infertility is stressful enough on its own without the additional challenges of dealing with administrative issues.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alexa Clapp at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
As mentioned above, I have yet to receive transparent information/billing regarding my treatment.
I was required to pay several somewhat arbitrary "deposits" at each monitoring appointment.
Describe Alexa Clapp's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
Dr. Clapp expressed preference to transfer only one embryo during the first transfer. She commented if the first transfer was not successful, we might consider transferring two the next time.
What specific things went wrong at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
- Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
About a week before my scheduled transfer, I came down with a terrible cold. I reached out to the nurse about what medications would be safe to take and she gave me a sheet listing safe medications. When I followed up with a call, I was told not to take one of the medications that was actually listed as "safe" on the sheet provided.
Additionally, it would have been helpful to have been given that sheet at the beginning of the protocol rather than having to request it, as it listed other medications that were safe and unsafe not necessarily related to my cold. It would have been a good resource to have from the beginning.