He spent time discussing the process and our options and results. He joked with us and I felt comfortable with him... I liked him best if all doctors I saw.
She [my nurse] was amazing - spent time talking with me, explaining things, and comforting me.
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
No complaints. I liked him best if all doctors I saw
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Ask questions and he will give honest answers
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
He spent time discussing the process and our options and results. He joked with us and I felt comfortable with him.
Describe the protocols Mark Bush used in your cycles at Conceptions Reproductive Associates and their degree of success.
Started suppression with bc. First time I was over-suppresswd so second time we used the nova ring. I went through injections menopur, follostim, gonal-f and we made it to retrieval
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Michelle)
She was amazing - spent time talking with me, explaining things, and comforting me
While I have only seen Dr. Bush in person one time, he took a great deal of time with me explaining the science behind the treatment protocol. He asked many questions of me and allowed me plenty of time to ask questions. The nurses who have seen me throughout my 2 egg retrieval cycles have indicated that Dr. Bush was carefully reviewing my progress every day during the stimulation hormone phase and was adjusting my protocol throughout based on my personal circumstances and how I was responding...told me that he didn’t see any reason I couldn’t be successful (after I had had a retrieval cycle canceled by another doctor and told that I would likely have to pursue an egg donor rather than being able to retrieve my own eggs). So far I have had two full retrieval cycles with Dr Bush which have resulted in 2 frozen embryos.
They [nurses at Conceptions Reproductive Associates] are relatively easy to get ahold of 24/7 which is comforting when questions or issues come up. The answering service does a good job of getting a message to someone right away who calls you back. I have felt the nursing staff at the actual egg retrieval procedures have been a little cold and like they were rushing you to leave...Around $17000 per retrieval cycle for the coordination of care, embryo cryopreservation, genetic testing, and the retrieval procedure itself...Billing errors and wasted time on the phone to sort out these errors with my insurance company and the billing office causes a lot of extra stress at a time when when low stress is so important. The nursing staff has been outstanding and my assigned nurse in particular is extremely thorough and caring. I am satisfied with my doctor.
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
It’s too soon in the process for me to fully evaluate Dr. Bush or Conceptions Reproductive Clinic. However, I feel that the treatment protocol I am on has been very personal and customized for me, and according to the staff, Dr. Bush has been personally and actively involved on a daily basis (during active retrieval cycles) in every decision to make adjustments along the way. I chose this clinic because it had the highest rate of success for live birth in the country. I also wAs encouraged when Dr. Bush told me that he didn’t see any reason I couldn’t be successful (after I had had a retrieval cycle canceled by another doctor and told that I would likely have to pursue an egg donor rather than being able to retrieve my own eggs). So far I have had two full retrieval cycles with Dr Bush which have resulted in 2 frozen embryos.
That said, one important thing to mention is that so far Dr Bush himself has not performed either of the retrieval procedures. This clinic has 4 doctors, and they alternate days in which they perform retrievals. So it just so happens that both times I have been scheduled for retrieval, I ended up with two other doctors from the clinic. The first one I was extremely impressed with as he took time with me and my husband before and after the procedure and the procedure itself went very well. Unfortunately the second procedure had complications and the doctor who performed it did not have a good bedside manner. This doctor seemed rushed as well as vague in her explanation as to why there were complications.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Learn as much as you can on your own regarding what to expect throughout the process, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your assigned nurse and/ or Dr. Bush with all your questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
While I have only seen Dr. Bush in person one time, he took a great deal of time with me explaining the science behind the treatment protocol. He asked many questions of me and allowed me plenty of time to ask questions. The nurses who have seen me throughout my 2 egg retrieval cycles have indicated that Dr. Bush was carefully reviewing my progress every day during the stimulation hormone phase and was adjusting my protocol throughout based on my personal circumstances and how I was responding.
Describe the protocols Mark Bush used in your cycles at Conceptions Reproductive Associates and their degree of success.
Antagonist protocol for both retrieval cycles.
Cycle 1: Testosterone gel beginning on 2nd day of natural menstrual cycle and administered for 10 days thereafter. Birth control pill beginning on 3rd day of natural menstrual cycle for 16 days. Omnitrope growth hormone (1 vial) injected daily for 18 days, beginning on 10th day after natural menstrual cycle. After another menstrual cycle induced by stopping birth control after 15 days, stimulation hormones begin 3 days later. Then, 150 (2 vials) of Menopur daily to start, increased to 300 (4 vials) daily on the 5th day of atom medications. 450 of Gonal-F daily throughout. Cetrotide on the 7th day of stims. 9 days after starting Menopur and Gonal-F, was asked to stop those and Pregnyl and Leuprolide trigger meds administered on the 10th day of stims. (10 days after starting Menopur and Gonal-F). One more shot of leuprolide on the morning of Day 11. Exactly 36 hours after first trigger shots, the retrieval was performed. 9 follicles, 6 mature eggs. All 6 eggs fertilized using ICSI. 2 out of 6 grew to the 5-day blastocyst stage, graded 5AA and 5AB. They were sent for genetic testing and the 5AA came back normal/euploid and was frozen. The other one was aneuploid.
Cycle 2: Exactly the same protocol as the first cycle with the following modifications / additional meds:
Dexamethasone steroid (orally) started a couple days before stim meds.
Clomid started orally on the same day/ time as the Menopur (first day of stim meds). Menopur started right away at 300 units (4 vials) and Gonal-F only 300 units (down from 450 last time). Also, Cetrotide started one day earlier (Day 6 of stims). Trigger meds were administered after 8 days of stim meds, which was 2 days earlier than last time meaning the whole cycle was 2 days shorter. Results: 13 follicles, 6 mature eggs. All 6 fertilized using ICSI. 5 reached full blastocyst (1 one 5th day growth and 4 on 6th day of growth). All were BB graded. 5 sent for genetic testing. 1 came back normal/ euploid.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Erika)
My nurse and the staff for the most part has been outstanding. They are caring, thorough and respond quickly when messages are left or emails are sent. They are relatively easy to get ahold of 24/7 which is comforting when questions or issues come up. The answering service does a good job of getting a message to someone right away who calls you back. I have felt the nursing staff at the actual egg retrieval procedures have been a little cold and like they were rushing you to leave. Certainly not the same bedside manner with this staff as the nurses and staff who handle the protocol and the daily blood draws and ultrasound who are as personable and kind as can be.
The financial staff has a lot of room for improvement. They have made multiple errors and the billing in general is extremely confusing and misleading in terms of how the invoicing is managed.
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
The greatest weakness I have seen so far with this clinic is with their billing system and financial staff. They make so many errors and don’t seem to have their act together at all. Billing errors and wasted time on the phone to sort out these errors with my insurance company and the billing office causes a lot of extra stress at a time when when low stress is so important.
The nursing staff has been outstanding and my assigned nurse in particular is extremely thorough and caring. I am satisfied with my doctor. Although I have only had one personal visit /interaction with him, he seems to be very involved in overseeing my protocol. It is too soon to be able to fully evaluate the clinic as I’ve only just completed egg retrieval cycles to freeze embryos. I have not yet attempted the first transfer.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Around $17000 per retrieval cycle for the coordination of care, embryo cryopreservation, genetic testing, and the retrieval procedure itself. Plus, around $7500 for prescription medications, including the omnitrope growth hormone (18 day supply) and all the follicle stimulating and trigger meds. And another $500 for recommended supplements per cycle. I am fortunate that my health insurance picked up a great deal of these costs.
Our first initial visit was great. Dr. Bush explained and went through all of our data and even have us visuals which I enjoyed as I am a visual learner. He was very welcoming and open to any questions we had...very friendly and seemed to care...I liked that they had early appointments. Scheduling seemed to be great.
I liked that they [Conceptions Reproductive Associates] had early appointments. Scheduling seemed to be great. I was able to make appointments on days that worked for us and if needed we could go to a different location. The portal also provided great way to communicate between nurses and patients. Billing seemed to be a little rude and I was unsure about my coverage and billing wasn’t very helpful at first.
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Our first initial visit was great. Dr. Bush explained and went through all of our data and even have us visuals which I enjoyed as I am a visual learner. He was very welcoming and open to any questions we had.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Make sure you know your insurance coverage and get quotes beforehand if paying out of pocket.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
The staff were very friendly and seemed to care.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Mandy)
The nurse was amazing. Since day one she showed compassion and was very friendly. She made sure we were informed and helped us with getting medication. She made sure to really build a relationship with us.
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
I liked that they had early appointments. Scheduling seemed to be great. I was able to make appointments on days that worked for us and if needed we could go to a different location. The portal also provided great way to communicate between nurses and patients. Billing seemed to be a little rude and I was unsure about my coverage and billing wasn’t very helpful at first.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Don’t expect a great bedside manner from him [Dr. Mark Bush], but you can from the nurses (who you primarily communicate with anyway). Also, don’t let that interfere with your trust in him - he is brilliant and knows what he is doing. He is on your side and wants a positive outcome also.... Having PCOS (and being an over producer of eggs) his strategy for the egg retrieval was to grow “low and slow” - small increments of hormone dosages that gradually increased until trigger
[Conceptions Reproductive Associates- Littleton's] Strengths: Everyone is friendly and on your side. When I felt scared and alone, I had the nurses who comforted me. Weaknesses: Althoufh not terrible, I think the communication and organization could improve. Maybe the nurse to patient ratio is too high.... Having PCOS (and being an over producer of eggs) his strategy for the egg retrieval was to grow “low and slow” - small increments of hormone dosages that gradually increased until trigger. Because I had so many follicles, some grew much quicker than others so he adjusted the dosages so the larger ones basically stopped growing and the smaller ones continued to grow. I then had a successful retrieval.
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Dr. Bush is excellent at what he does - helping families grow. He is confident and makes you as a patient feel confident. We put all our trust into him and without him we would not have our beautiful 6 week old baby girl. I will continue to refer him to my friends who struggle trying to conceive.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Don’t expect a great bedside manner from him, but you can from the nurses (who you primarily communicate with anyway). Also, don’t let that interfere with your trust in him - he is brilliant and knows what he is doing. He is on your side and wants a positive outcome also.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
While Dr. Bush is excellent at what he does and provides positive results, his bedside manner is not exactly genuine - making you feel a little more like a number. However, the nurses make up for the lack of bedside manner and therefore wouldn’t have it any other way. I appreciate that he is blunt and does not sugar coat things, he gave us our beautiful baby girl.
Describe the protocols Mark Bush used in your cycles at Conceptions Reproductive Associates and their degree of success.
Having PCOS (and being an over producer of eggs) his strategy for the egg retrieval was to grow “low and slow” - small increments of hormone dosages that gradually increased until trigger. Because I had so many follicles, some grew much quicker than others so he adjusted the dosages so the larger ones basically stopped growing and the smaller ones continued to grow. I then had a successful retrieval.
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Strengths: Everyone is friendly and on your side. When I felt scared and alone, I had the nurses who comforted me.
Weaknesses: Althoufh not terrible, I think the communication and organization could improve. Maybe the nurse to patient ratio is too high.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
I rarely had to wait. I typically tried to get there early, but it was never overwhelming.
Describe Mark Bush's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Due to my age and health, he recommended a single transfer. He only recommends a multiple embryo transfer (2 max) dependent on age group and diagnoses.
Dr. Bush is meticulous. He was direct and honest, which was sometimes hard at the moment but always appreciated later. ... I had absolute faith in his skills and abilities. And though his communication was blunt and direct, I always felt he cared about me as a patient and was rooting for me. ... While there was no doubt Dr. Bush was trying to sell his services, I never felt like that was his priority.
Strengths - meticulous and extremely knowledgeable doctor and nursing staff. Even the office staff [CRA] was easy to work with. I was honestly sad to “graduate “ and move to my OBGYN. Weakness - Procedures have to be done at the Littleton office which is a lot of travel for people in our part of town. ... The nurse I had for the retrieval portion was incredible. She never gave up on me and my extremely late blooming embryos
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Dr. Bush is meticulous. He was direct and honest, which was sometimes hard at the moment but always appreciated later. I honestly believe that no one else could have given us the results we had. I had absolute faith in his skills and abilities. And though his communication was blunt and direct, I always felt he cared about me as a patient and was rooting for me.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Just because he may not come across as “warm”, trust that he cares and will do everything possible to help you reach your dreams.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Dr. Bush always made me feel like he was invested in helping us conceive. He was patient and willing to go at my slow speed and stayed with me during several delays due to personal reservations. While there was no doubt Dr. Bush was trying to sell his services, I never felt like that was his priority.
Describe the protocols Mark Bush used in your cycles at Conceptions Reproductive Associates and their degree of success.
3 months of “prep” including COQ10 supplements among others
Baseline bloodwork and other procedures such as hysterostoscopy
Monitored injectible cycle
Retrieval and freeze 5 day embryo
Preconception genetic screening with natera
Surgery to remove uterine fibroids
Transfer of 1 embryo
Positive pregnancy with live birth
Injection
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Can’t recall - Erika? For retrieval cycle )
The nurse I had for the retrieval portion was incredible. She never gave up on me and my extremely late blooming embryos
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Strengths - meticulous and extremely knowledgeable doctor and nursing staff. Even the office staff was easy to work with. I was honestly sad to “graduate “ and move to my OBGYN.
Weakness - Procedures have to be done at the Littleton office which is a lot of travel for people in our part of town.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
More than $25,000 over the course of 5 plus years including surgery. I believe we paid $10,000 plus meds for IVF cycle
I only saw Dr. Bush about 3 times throughout the entire course of events, but he always acted like he cared. I could tell that he had the routines down to a science, which, as a scientist/data analyst myself I truly appreciated. His support staff was very caring and did a good job of managing treatments....Don't expect to be face to face with Dr. Bush at every visit, but don't worry - he is engaged in the process and has everything under control.
Don't expect to be face to face with Dr. Bush at every visit [Conceptions Reproductive Associates], but don't worry - he is engaged in the process and has everything under control....Nancy and Jessica were both great! Excellent communication and clear guidance through the entire process....Strengths - compassion, knowledge, organization Weakness - location - please open one on the west side of town (Golden/Lakewood)
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
We recently moved to Denver from Texas, and knew that we wanted another child. My experience with Conceptions and Dr. Bush far exceeded what I went through in Texas for fertility treatments. Dr. Bush and his staff truly listened to me and my history, and they were able to guide me through a successful egg retrieval procedure and embryo transfer, each in one round. I began this journey about 6 months ago, and now I'm 12 weeks along and expecting a little boy in October! Our family couldn't be happier with the experience. Thank you for making it as smooth as possible! We really enjoyed our experience with everyone we encountered at Conceptions!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Don't expect to be face to face with Dr. Bush at every visit, but don't worry - he is engaged in the process and has everything under control.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
I only saw Dr. Bush about 3 times throughout the entire course of events, but he always acted like he cared. I could tell that he had the routines down to a science, which, as a scientist/data analyst myself I truly appreciated. His support staff was very caring and did a good job of managing treatments.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Nancy and Jessica)
Nancy and Jessica were both great! Excellent communication and clear guidance through the entire process.
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
Strengths - compassion, knowledge, organization
Weakness - location - please open one on the west side of town (Golden/Lakewood)
New Patient Advice - go in with an open mind and a flexible schedule!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
[Dr. Mark Bush is] Very intelligent and blunt which we appreciate. Felt very safe in his hands. He can talk and sometimes lose you with medical terms but he is good at explaining whatever you may not understand. Would reccomend him to everyone.... First round if ivf was super expensive and close to $18,000 and the 2nd round was closer to $8000 after everything including meds and acupuncture
This clinic [Conceptions Reproductive Associates- Littleton] is top notch in every department. You get to know them so well that it is sad when it ends. They make you feel like a top priority and I would recommend them to anyone. I really have no complaints... First round if ivf was super expensive and close to $18,000 and the 2nd round was closer to $8000 after everything including meds and acupuncture
How was your experience with Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
Very intelligent and blunt which we appreciate. Felt very safe in his hands. He can talk and sometimes lose you with medical terms but he is good at explaining whatever you may not understand. Would reccomend him to everyone.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates?
That he is the best out there and will do everything he can to hell you create a family.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Conceptions Reproductive Associates. (Assigned nurse: Jessica Rico)
She was always in great contact with me and always provided answers to questions in a timely fashion. The whole nursing team makes sure you are well taken care of from beginning to end.
Describe your experience with Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
This clinic is top notch in every department. You get to know them so well that it is sad when it ends. They make you feel like a top priority and I would recommend them to anyone. I really have no complaints
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Bush at Conceptions Reproductive Associates.
First round if ivf was super expensive and close to $18,000 and the 2nd round was closer to $8000 after everything including meds and acupuncture
