Janie Hirata
Kaiser Permanente NorCal
Available Lines of Communication
Doctor email
Nurse email
Nurse email
Direct line to nurse
Not available by personal cell phone
Medical SchoolWayne State
ResidencyWayne State
FellowshipWayne State
Fremont
39141 Civic Center Driv
Fremont, CA 94538
(888) 331-5601
Oakland
3779 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 752-1080
8 assessments
9
Age
26
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
PCOS
9
I believe Dr. Hirata has me start on 50 mg of clomid & then increased it to 75, 100, 150 etc until there was an egg. When we did our first IUI with no success she switched me to letrizol which also didn’t work. She wanted to treat me slowly as to not give me OHSS. ... Dr. Hirata was on time and tried to get me in and out of appointments quickly unless I had questions or concerns or fears, then she would sit down and talk me through my anxiety and answer all my questions. She was compassionate and understanding
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Age
26
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
$0 - $49K
Occupation
Teacher
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 5 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
PCOS
9
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata was on time and tried to get me in and out of appointments quickly unless I had questions or concerns or fears, then she would sit down and talk me through my anxiety and answer all my questions. She was compassionate and understanding of I needed to sit and cry for a few minutes, always having tissues on hand. She adjusted my medications when needed and always had a next plan of action. She told be the truth about everything without being too blunt or making me feel hopeless.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
If you’re a nervous person like I am, go to Dr. Hirata. She’s very good at calming your nerves and having next step plans ready to go.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata always asked me how my week was going, if I was feeling anxious, and always asked me what she could do to help me feel more informed or more secure. She always told me what she was doing and seeing during every exam so I never felt lost. Once in a while i’d Become overwhelmed and cry and she always would sit next to me and hold my hand and hand me tissues until I could settle down. She would tell me the truth, but never so bluntly that I felt hopeless.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
I believe Dr. Hirata has me start on 50 mg of clomid & then increased it to 75, 100, 150 etc until there was an egg. When we did our first IUI with no success she switched me to letrizol which also didn’t work. She wanted to treat me slowly as to not give me OHSS.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
The nursing staff was kind and always made sure I had my next appointment. They weren’t rude but they didn’t interact with me too much.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
The clinic was very cold and big. It was undecorated and painted white. The doctor was amazing but the clinic was a little intimidating. I will say that it was clean and well kept. The wait time to see the doctor was also usually pretty short.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
I had a $5 copay per procedure/visit
What specific things went wrong at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
- Failed to call with results
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7
Age
42 - 43
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
5 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Other
7
She [Dr. Hirata] is down to earth and pragmatic. She has a sense of humor and is blunt. Being that I'm over 40, the news on fertility rates isn't great and she was always very honest about that. But I am not sold on IVF so she was willing to work with my for more IUIs that others may endure. She listened to my concerns, hopes and fears.... I did 3 natural IUIs with frozen sperm, using an at home OPK test. Then I had 3 IUIs with Letrozole during day 3-7, with an Ovedrel trigger shot for one and an at home OPK for the other.
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Age
42 - 43
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 3 Docs
Treatment
5 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Other
7
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
She is down to earth and pragmatic. She has a sense of humor and is blunt. Being that I'm over 40, the news on fertility rates isn't great and she was always very honest about that. But I am not sold on IVF so she was willing to work with my for more IUIs that others may endure. She listened to my concerns, hopes and fears.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
She is down to earth and has heard it all so don't be afraid to ask any questions you have.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata and her staff were always friendly and personable when I went in for treatments, either consultation, ultrasounds, or IUIs. It is Kaiser, so they do run you through the process of a big medical system, but I have been with Kaiser for many years so that is par for the course. Once you get through the bureaucracy, the staff are great, and even dressed up for Halloween!
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
I did 3 natural IUIs with frozen sperm, using an at home OPK test. Then I had 3 IUIs with Letrozole during day 3-7, with an Ovedrel trigger shot for one and an at home OPK for the other. I had to have ultrasounds before the Letrozole and then before the trigger shot. Then I took 2 months off and am doing Letrozole with the Ovedrel trigger. I will have my 6th IUI tomorrow.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
There are 2-3 nurses that I see regularly at the clinic. At my first IUI they were very helpful and informative about the whole process. They didn't mind when I took photos of the vial and they commented warmly about my lucky socks. Because I have had multiple IUIS now, it is more of an in and an out, partly because that is my approach to this too.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
This clinic is very convenient for me in Oakland. The building is a little older, but the facilities are fine. It is Kaiser so there is a bit of a bureaucracy with dealing with check-in and costs, but it is all very manageable. I like Kaiser because it is all integrated and I can email with the doctors and staff.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
My insurance covered half of the costs for the IUIs. I think it was about $150 for the IUI and $120 for the ultrasounds. The Letrozole was very cheap, $4, but the Ovedrel was about $100.
Describe Janie Hirata's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
no comment
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10
Age
28
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
PCOS
10
Dr Hirata took the time to understand what me and my partner were going through. She helped us to understand the treatment plan and work towards a solution. I wish we could have stayed with Dr. Hirata, but she believed IVF was a better solution to our problem. ... Dr Hirata had us on Clomid injections and a trigger shot in the hopes of doing an IUI.
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Age
28
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European, Latino, Native American
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 4 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
PCOS
10
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata was both very professional and also compassionate. She helped us to understand the complex world of infertility and what to expect. She never made us feel dumb or discouraged and always treated us like real people, and not just like a number.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
If you can, be prepared to be dissapointed. Not because of Dr. Hirata, but because you never know how the meds are gonna react, so go in hoping for the best, but ready for the worst.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr Hirata took the time to understand what me and my partner were going through. She helped us to understand the treatment plan and work towards a solution. I wish we could have stayed with Dr. Hirata, but she believed IVF was a better solution to our problem.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
Dr Hirata had us on Clomid injections and a trigger shot in the hopes of doing an IUI.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
They were mostly forgettable except for one lady who did the trigger shot for us. She was very nice.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
The Oakland RE division was very cramped. The rooms feel like a prison cell, but the staff are kind. I wish they worked in IVF too so we didn't have to go to a farther away clinic. Also, come early for your appointment if you want to park closer to the entrance. Overall we would have loved to stay and work with Dr. Hirata, but her treatment plan wasn't going to work for us.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Thankfully my partner has good insurance. But without it our treatment would have been incredibly expensive, and the rising costs of health care don't help.
Describe Janie Hirata's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Dr. Hirata doesn't do that kind of treatment.
What specific things went wrong at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
- Provided conflicting information
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5
Age
35
Treated
2015
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
7 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
5
Dr Hirata was somewhat robotic. I didn’t feel that she sufficiently answered my questions about our unexplained diagnosis or offered much in the way of options....I was doing IUIs with Dr Hirata while diagnosed as “unexplained.” Beyond the usual battery of tests she offeeed no additional ways to look into the root cause nor did she encourage us to pursue more rigorous treatment.... We did 1 IUI with clomid, 2 with leteozole and then did an optional last IUI with letrozole and menopur while we were waiting for IVF.
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Age
35
Treated
2015
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Consultant
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 3 Docs
Treatment
7 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
5
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
I was doing IUIs with Dr Hirata while diagnosed as “unexplained.” Beyond the usual battery of tests she offeeed no additional ways to look into the root cause nor did she encourage us to pursue more rigorous treatment. We got pregnant while seeing her (though another doctor was overseeing the cycle) so I think Kaiser was doing everything right but I felt a lack of compassion or sympathy and an impatience in my asking questions from Dr Hirata.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr Hirata was somewhat robotic. I didn’t feel that she sufficiently answered my questions about our unexplained diagnosis or offered much in the way of options.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
We did 1 IUI with clomid, 2 with leteozole and then did an optional last IUI with letrozole and menopur while we were waiting for IVF. The last cycle was successful.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
The nursing staff were the most compassionate of the team. I appreciated their patience and guidance and felt like they were rotting for me.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Strengths: it’s what you’ll use if you have any Kaiser coverage! Fairly easy to get appointments. Convenience of coordinating other related testing through Kaiser speeds up the process.
Weaknesses: very by the book; it seems like everyone goes through the same stages and ramp ups.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
4 IUIs with a 50% copay cost around $3000 (including one cycle of injectibles).
What specific things went wrong at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
- Failed to order appropriate test
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8
Age
40
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
3 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
—
8
All the docs at the clinic are great. And I truly appreciate always getting an email afterward with a repeat of visit synopsis and next steps. There is so much info and it is emotional. I do feel more empathy from some of the other docs then Dr Hirata, but I like honesty and all the facts, so for me that is not a big deal ... If you don‘t like plain speaking and all the facts, maybe wait for one of the other Docs to be available
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Age
40
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$0 - $49K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 4 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
—
8
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
All the docs at the clinic are great. And I truly appreciate always getting an email afterward with a repeat of visit synopsis and next steps. There is so much info and it is emotional. I do feel more empathy from some of the other docs then Dr Hirata, but I like honesty and all the facts, so for me that is not a big deal
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
If you don‘t like plain speaking and all the facts, maybe wait for one of the other Docs to be available
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
She was always honest, listened and answered all my questions
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
I used letrozole for medicated cycles with a triggered ovulation via shot. Baseline ultrasound at the start of each cycle and then one at day 12 to check on timing.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
Warm and supportive. They are good at cheering you on and remembering you from visit to visit. I feel lucky
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
It is sometimes hard to get answers right away, since they never answer the phone and you have to leave a message. But they always call me back within 2 hours. No free parking and you sometimes have to check in at another department when the front desk is unattended.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
$246 for ultrasound
$350 for iui
$206 trigger shot
$7 co pay for letrozole
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10
Age
35
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
—
10
Dr. Hirata is wonderful. She is warm, welcoming, caring, and thorough. She spent a lot of time with my husband and I lovingly explaining everything to us.... I would recommend Dr. Hirata to anyone. She is a truly wonderful physician. She made us feel comfortable and well informed every step of the way. She treated us like humans. She is warm and patient. She provided us with clear options and explained the numbers well. She spent a ton of time with us during each visit and made us feel very important and well cared for.
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Age
35
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$200K - $499K
Occupation
Lawyer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
—
10
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
I would recommend Dr. Hirata to anyone. She is a truly wonderful physician. She made us feel comfortable and well informed every step of the way. She treated us like humans. She is warm and patient. She provided us with clear options and explained the numbers well. She spent a ton of time with us during each visit and made us feel very important and well cared for.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
No advice, she’s wonderful.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata is wonderful. She is warm, welcoming, caring, and thorough. She spent a lot of time with my husband and I lovingly explaining everything to us.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
Letrozole low dose for first cycle because great sperm and egg counts and high chance for multiples
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
Patient, caring, articulate.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Kaiser. Hospital like setting with excellent providers and staff. I really like kaiser. It’s not as fancy as the private clinics and can feel a bit institutional when you are there sometimes. Parking at certain locations can be difficult. But the level of care and quality of doctors we have found to be superior to the private clinic we have visited and we have been really happy that we switched to kaiser for our care.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Very cheap
Describe Janie Hirata's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
N/A
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10
Age
33 - 35
Treated
2015 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
6 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
PCOS, Unexplained
10
I love her [Dr. Janie Hirata]. I have been having a great experience as her patient. I feel deeply cared for and sincerely allied with. She has shown up to support me at appointments she wasn't even scheduled for in addition to being willing to answer all of my questions during appointments as well as over KP.org messages...NorBe - to regulate my period - successful Clomid at 50mg - increase maturation of follicles - unsuccessful Clomid at 10g - increase maturation of follicles - successful Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful Estradiol - increase thickness of uterine lining - successful Letrizol - increase maturation of follicles - successful Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful Letrizol - increase maturation of follicles - successful Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful
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Age
33 - 35
Treated
2015 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Race
Latino
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
3rd of 4 Docs
Treatment
6 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
PCOS, Unexplained
10
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
I love her. I have been having a great experience as her patient. I feel deeply cared for and sincerely allied with. She has shown up to support me at appointments she wasn't even scheduled for in addition to being willing to answer all of my questions during appointments as well as over KP.org messages.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
See her before you start IUIs with anyone else. I wish I had started with her.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
She is phenomenal. I really feel like she has my back and is my cheerleader while providing me realistic expectations.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
NorBe - to regulate my period - successful
Clomid at 50mg - increase maturation of follicles - unsuccessful
Clomid at 10g - increase maturation of follicles - successful
Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful
Estradiol - increase thickness of uterine lining - successful
Letrizol - increase maturation of follicles - successful
Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful
Letrizol - increase maturation of follicles - successful
Ovidrel - trigger ovulation - successful
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
I mostly interact with three staff members and all are warm and caring.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Sliding scale is inaccessible i.e. expensive.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
Expensive.
Describe Janie Hirata's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
NA
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Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
6
Age
32
Treated
2011
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
Anovulation
6
She got me pregnant pretty quickly so even though her bedside manner was not so great, I can't complain too much.
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Age
32
Treated
2011
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Nurse or HC Services
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
Anovulation
6
How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
She got me pregnant pretty quickly so even though her bedside manner was not so great, I can't complain too much.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata kind of knew who I was. The nurses were helpful but did not know who I was as an individual. I felt like they were all really rushed and didn't have time to really explain things to me.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
they all seem really harried
What specific things went wrong at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
- Lost appointments
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