How was your experience with Ivan Huang at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
He's warm and personable. During our consultation, right before I started to tear up he handed me a tissue with no hesitation. I could tell he knew this is a hard journey. I could always count on him to communicate in a timely manner. I wished that I could have seen him during my baseline appointments and IUIs, but I knew timing was key and he was often booked far in advance.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ivan Huang at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Set expectations by asking how often you will see him. Not just communicate over the Kaiser portal, but if he will be treating you. I would also ask the if he's willing to prescribe more than just the lowest dose of clomid or letrozole. I found that he was very conservative.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ivan Huang at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Huang was gentle and kind, but direct and informative. He allowed me to help make decisions and be an advocate and he was honest when he saw that we needed to take the next steps. It was my job to reach out to him when I was ready to move forward, but when I did, he was always quick to answer and make a plan. I even forgot my meds at home during a vacation, and he made sure I could pick them up at a local Kaiser.
Describe the protocols Ivan Huang used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
I was young with unexplained, so Dr. Huang was conservative. He told us to try naturally for 6 more months, but I only made it 3 before I asked to try medication. Then we did 3 cycles of Clomid trying naturally for three months, and 3 cycles of Letrozole with 2 IUIs for two months. 1 IUI was cancelled due to early ovulation. No babies produced.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Most were kind, one was on the rougher side. Overall, they were organized.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Strengths - Since it's Kaiser, everything is done in house. Online communication is easy. Pharmacy is easy. They saw how distraught I was about my fertility journey and they paired me with a "chronic pain therapist" which was caring.
Weaknesses - It's REALLY, EXTREMELY hard to get anyone on the phone which led to multiple breakdowns and tears. When you leave a message, they give one call back. Then you have to call them and leave another message. If you miss another call back, you have to wait another 24 hours until they call you back. If you miss that call.....good luck. It was worrisome how frustrating their phone system is. Also, don't expect dim lighting during your baseline and IUI. VERY bright and feels......exposing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ivan Huang at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
$150 for each ultrasound and IUI, and around $200 for Saline Sono and HSG.
Describe Ivan Huang's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
I did not do IVF through Kaiser.