How was your experience with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
I would describe my experience as a patient as perfectly average. Dr. Hirata was nice and approachable but didn't necessarily wow me with information or style. I got the sense that she uses the same approach for each patient, but that could be an unfair assessment. She gave a helpful overview of IUI and the medication options. She was very willing to change courses and order certain tests, but only after I asked for them, so I felt I really needed to do a lot of my own research. She would advocate for me, but only if I specifically asked for something. There were times she was a little forgetful about things we'd done in the past, so again, I had to be quite diligent. After 2 IUIs with her, we decided to move on to IVF, so I had to change clinics because she does not offer that.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Do your own research prior to meeting with her.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal?
Dr. Hirata didn't seem to remember many facts about my history off the top of her head but she had easy access to my chart and would refresh her memory as we met/talked. Some of her responses were a little formulaic and rehearsed but she still was kind and present. I didn't get the sense she was overly personally involved with my care, as I have from other doctors, but she never made me feel like I was just a number.
Describe the protocols Janie Hirata used in your cycles at Kaiser Permanente NorCal and their degree of success.
First IUI was 7.5mg Letrozole, no trigger shot (we planned to trigger, but when I went for a monitoring ultrasound, I was about to ovulate so she determined there was no need for a trigger). Second IUI was 10mg Letrozole, trigger shot. Both resulted in negative tests. She explained the option of using Clomid, but it seemed to have too many side effects with not as positive of results. She also explained using gonadotropins but said not many people use those with IUI. She also performed an HSG and Saline Sonogram, but only after I asked for them.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
I didn't have much experience with nurses, but everyone was nice and friendly, with the exception of the front desk attendant, who I found quite rude.
Describe your experience with Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
I have infertility coverage for any non-IVF treatments, so it was the natural first step for me to start with Kaiser REs. The clinic is a pretty standard Kaiser building, no frills, nothing special, very clinical.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Janie Hirata at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
I have 50% coverage so the IUIs were each about $200. HSG and Saline Sonogram were about the same.
Describe Janie Hirata's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kaiser Permanente NorCal.
NA - they don't do IVF at Kaiser Oakland.