Kara Ehlers
Vios Fertility Institute
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Medical SchoolU of Missouri
ResidencyUT Southwestern
FellowshipU of Louisville
Aurora
2040 Odgen Ave
Aurora, IL 60504
630.978.6254
Chicago - West Loop
333 S. Desplaines
Chicago, IL 60661
773.435.9029
Chicago - Wicker Park
1455 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
773.435.9036
Glenview
2608 N. Patriot Blvd
Glenview, IL 60026
224.404.2042
Hoffman Estates
1585 Barrington Rd
Hostmas Estates, IL 60169
847.843.7090
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4 assessments
2
2
Age
39
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Male Factor
2
2
[Dr. Kara Ehlers] was comfortable and relaxed in her chair as she spoke with us...I was not impressed that I had to go over my chart with her after I had took the time to fill it out online and again with the RN. Then we had to go thru the same stuff with her. It was a waste of time and felt like a time filler. I’d prefer the chart to be read the highlights to be touched on and let’s get to figuring out a plan...We do not have a [protocol] strategy at this time.
The lab order was not complete and there was a lot of miscommunication [at Vios Fertility Institute]...The price varies. We have already spent over $1000 for the consult my husbands bloodwork my bloodwork a ultrasound and a HSG...The office is nicely decorated and private. Then consultation room is very comfortable with plush chairs and sofas. Staff is nice when you are in the office visiting. A lot is discussed to bring a notebook and make sure to take notes. This will keep you on top of your care.
Age
39
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Race
Latino
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
Doctor
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Male Factor
2
2
How was your experience with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Dr Kara Ehlers was very comfortable and demonstrated it in her posture during our consultation. I was not impressed that I had to go over my chart with her after I had took the time to fill it out online and again with the RN. Then we had to go thru the same stuff with her. It was a waste of time and felt like a time filler. I’d prefer the chart to be read the highlights to be touched on and let’s get to figuring out a plan.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Make sure you bring a folder and write down notes. What is told to you in the consult might be be what the RN tells you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Dr Ehlers was comfortable and relaxed in her chair as she spoke with us
Describe the protocols Kara Ehlers used in your cycles at Vios Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We do not have a strategy at this time.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
I was told more than once different pricing when checking out. Twice I paid at time of service and then received a bill. I’d ask for a lab order request and it was missing labs. The staff said my husband needed semen analysis and genetic testing but we are suing a donor. It always seemed like there was miscommunication and no one was reading my chart before responding to questions.
Describe your experience with Vios Fertility Institute.
The office is nicely decorated and private. Then consultation room is very comfortable with plush chairs and sofas. Staff is nice when you are in the office visiting. A lot is discussed to bring a notebook and make sure to take notes. This will keep you on top of your care.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute.
The price varies. We have already spent over $1000 for the consult my husbands bloodwork my bloodwork a ultrasound and a HSG. We are looking to spend close to $10000 depending on how quickly I become pregnant.
What specific things went wrong at Vios Fertility Institute?
- Failed to order appropriate test
- Provided conflicting information
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10
10
Age
25
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
3 Fertility Medications
Diagnosis
PCOS
10
10
We had a ton of testing done that revealed that I hade a thyroid issue and some vitamin deficiency’s. Dr. Ehlers is so smart And was always very personable and kind. When a cycle didn’t work she always switched it up just a little bit to see if I would respond to something a little better....She is so smart and always explains the evidence behind why she is doing something....At one appointment I was very upset and she was very understanding and sympathetic.
They [Vios] are always very prompt when you need something from them. The whole team works so well together. They are always checking with our insurance to make sure there and no supprises. Treatments weren’t covered by my insurance but If a test wasn’t covered by insurance we always received a call to make sure there were no surprises. It was always easy to contact the office....The nurses were so sweet and always made sure all of our questions were answered.
Age
25
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
3 Fertility Medications
Diagnosis
PCOS
10
10
How was your experience with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
When I had my first consultation with her she was very confident she could help us get pregnant quickly. We had a ton of testing done that revealed that I hade a thyroid issue and some vitamin deficiency’s. Dr. Ehlers is so smart And was always very personable and kind. When a cycle didn’t work she always switched it up just a little bit to see if I would respond to something a little better. Before the last cycle I had we had a conversation with her about plans going forward and she decided to put me on a steroid for about 10 days durring this cycle. I had never heard of that before but we tried it. That cycle everything went so perfectly and my body responded a lot faster than All of the previous cycles and we ended up pregnant! We received really good care durring my pregnancy and when we graduated I was actually sad to leave.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Trust her when she adjusts your medications. She is so smart and always explains the evidence behind why she is doing something.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
At one appointment I was very upset and she was very understanding and sympathetic.
Describe the protocols Kara Ehlers used in your cycles at Vios Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We first did a lower dose of letrizol and my body respond slowly to it so the next month me upped the dose a little bit. My body responded really slowly to that dose as well. So the third month we went in to talk to her about plans going forward And this time she wanted to lower my dose back down but actually add a steroid into the treatment for 10 days. I had never heard of using steroids with fertility treatments but that month everything went so perfectly. My body had never responded so well to the medication and we ended up getting pregnant!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Vios Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Molly)
She communicated so well. If I had any questions I always had answers very quickly. She was very sweet and caring. If she wasn’t there I did have some of the other nurses and they were all so nice. I have only good things to say about all of them
Describe your experience with Vios Fertility Institute.
They are always very prompt when you need something from them. The whole team works so well together. They are always checking with our insurance to make sure there and no supprises. Treatments weren’t covered by my insurance but If a test wasn’t covered by insurance we always received a call to make sure there were no surprises. It was always easy to contact the office. The nurses were so sweet and always made sure all of our questions were answered. On our last cycle our trigger shot had not come in the mail yet and we had to trigger that day. So Molly the nurse went to the back and gave us an extra shot that they had. We were so greatful to her for that! I also can’t even explain enough how smart Dr. Ehlers is an how comfortable she made us feel while we were seeing her. I was actually sad when we had to leave this clinic.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute.
Timed intercourses cycle was $800 which included as much monitoring and blood work as you needed. Didn’t end up doing IUI but was quoted $1800 for monitoring blood work and insemination. Medications were under $100 per cycle
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6
7
Age
35
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
6
7
Dr Ehlers is always smiling and appears positive. I didn’t appreciate that each time we had an IUI, she told me what she would do next month (sounded as she was assuming it wouldn’t work) while I was still on the procedure table. ... You better have tough skin ... Used letrozole 5mg for First two and 7.5 mg for last one. Triggered with ovidrel each time. Took progesterone suppositories after each
Friendly, flexible with scheduling. Quick to response on the patient portal. We struggle with getting them to bill insurance and have been right about supposedly uncovered claims on a few occasions ... Getting them to bill insurance was nearly impossible. Nurse and doctor weren’t always on the same page ... [nurses] Always positive, answered questions but felt like they sometimes contradicted Dr Ehlers
Age
35
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Teacher
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
6
7
How was your experience with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Dr Ehlers is always smiling and appears positive. I didn’t appreciate that each time we had an IUI, she told me what she would do next month (sounded as she was assuming it wouldn’t work) while I was still on the procedure table.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
You better have tough skin
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Took time to answer personal questions
Describe the protocols Kara Ehlers used in your cycles at Vios Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Used letrozole 5mg for First two and 7.5 mg for last one. Triggered with ovidrel each time. Took progesterone suppositories after each
Describe your experience with your nurse at Vios Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Lindsay)
Always positive, answered questions but felt like they sometimes contradicted Dr Ehlers
Describe your experience with Vios Fertility Institute.
Friendly, flexible with scheduling. Quick to response on the patient portal. We struggle with getting them to bill insurance and have been right about supposedly uncovered claims on a few occasions
Describe the costs associated with your care under Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute.
$1200 per IUI mPlus meds
What specific things went wrong at Vios Fertility Institute?
- Provided conflicting information
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Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
8
8
Age
41
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
7 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained, Other
8
8
I had to have a uterine ultrasound, full blood panel and my husband had to be tested [by Kara Ehlers]...I had to have a uterine ultrasound, full blood panel and my husband had to be tested...compassionate and took great detail about explaining things...seemed to be more progressive than the last physicians I had...She was direct and gave me some hope...I did feel a little more compassion and hope would have been better for my own personal situation.
The nurses were great [at Vios Fertility Institute] but I struggled with navigating insurance and things fell through at times and I had to reach out myself. I sat down with someone who personally told me they would help me navigate my insurance. I was disappointed as I feel they did not help as much as I expected...They are a newer clinic and a satellite office and I believe they are working out the kinks. You would have to go to Chicago to have ivf performed which was a struggle for me. Overall, the staff was friendly but I would have liked more hand holding and contact and guidance.
Age
41
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Race
Other
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
4th of 4 Docs
Treatment
7 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained, Other
8
8
How was your experience with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
I did feel a little more compassion and hope would have been better for my own personal situation. I wanted to be more aggressive with my plan and a ton of tests were required from other physicians. I felt it was redundant.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
Ask for compassion and hope. Tell her directly what you want. I felt extremely insecure about the entire process and was riddled with sadness.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute?
The staff along with a Dr. Kara Ehlers were compassionate and took great detail about explaining things. We had a plan in place but I recently had to switch doctors due to a new job and insurance. Dr. Ehlers seemed to be more progressive than the last physicians I had in Florida. I was glad to have a female doctor as well. She was direct and gave me some hope.
Describe the protocols Kara Ehlers used in your cycles at Vios Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I had to have a uterine ultrasound, full blood panel and my husband had to be tested.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Vios Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: I cannot remember her name. )
The nurses were great but I struggled with navigating insurance and things fell through at times and I had to reach out myself. I sat down with someone who personally told me they would help me navigate my insurance. I was disappointed as I feel they did not help as much as I expected.
Describe your experience with Vios Fertility Institute.
They are a newer clinic and a satellite office and I believe they are working out the kinks. You would have to go to Chicago to have ivf performed which was a struggle for me. Overall, the staff was friendly but I would have liked more hand holding and contact and guidance.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Kara Ehlers at Vios Fertility Institute.
$20-$30,000 minimum. $5,000 PSG.
Describe Kara Ehlers's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Vios Fertility Institute.
I did not get to that phase with my physician as I had to switch doctors due to insurance. But due to my age we were going to try for two embryos possibly with IVF. It depended on grading of eggs.
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