Rated 8.2
Strongly recommend: 67%Neutral: 16%Don't recommend: 17%8.2
67% strongly recommend
17 reviews
LGBTQ+ Competent Care
LGBTQ+ Competent Care

Based on reviews from the LGBTQ+ community.

Humanity
9.3
9.3
Humanity

Ratings of 1 mean patients felt this doctor treated them as "a number."

Ratings of 10 mean patients felt this doctor treated them as "a human."

Communication
8.6
8.6
Communication

Ratings of 1 mean poor communication.

Ratings of 10 mean excellent communication.

Frequency Seen
8.6
8.6
Frequency Seen

Ratings of 1 mean patients only saw this doctor once or twice during treatment.

Ratings of 10 mean patients saw this doctor at every appointment.

LGBTQ+ Care
10
10
LGBTQ+ Care

Ratings of 1 indicate an unsatisfactory LGBTQ+ care.

Ratings of 10 indicate an excellent LGBTQ+ care.

Responsiveness
7.6
Good
Responsiveness

Scale is "poor, ok, good, excellent" and measures how responsive a care team was when patients needed to speak to them.

Education

Medical School
Emory
Residency
Emory
Fellowship
UCLA

How Doctor Communicates

nurse available by email
doctor, nurse available by directline
doctor, nurse available by directline
doctor available by personal cell phone
doctor available by personal cell phone
Ashim Kumar works in 1 office at

Western Fertility Institute
Rated 8.6
Strongly recommend: 86%Don't recommend: 14%8.6

Explore Clinic
Encino
16260 Ventura Blvd., suite 210
Encino, CA 91436

17 patient reviews

LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022 - 2024, Consult
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 35 - 37
Donor Eggs
Surrogacy
European
Income $200K - $499K
Lawyer
Only Doc Seen
IVF With Other Docs
LGBTQ+
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Kumar had a great sense of humor and was realistic...was always available to speak and had a game plan as to how we move forward...We are a same-sex couple and felt completely respected the entire time...always provided us with the information we requested either right then...or got back to us within a reasonable time frame
[At Western Fertility Institute] We worked with Caitlin to start our journey, and she was great. She was detail-oriented, punctual, and gave us the details to make educated decisions...She was at the hospital when our surrogate gave birth and was there afterward
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Looking back, Dr. Kumar was very even-tempered, which we needed. He always provided us with the information we requested either right then and there or got back to us within a reasonable time frame. Anytime we had a suggestion for moving forward, he either acquiesced or provided an acceptable alternative solution. I feel that he went above and beyond with some of the alternatives and we are extremely grateful.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Go in with a plan. However, do not put that plan in stone. Things are going to change and will not be perfect. This is a messy process. Work with Dr. Kumar to find a path forward and create a new plan you agree on.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar had a great sense of humor and was realistic. We went in with an idea of how we wanted this to go -- "one and done," and he set expectations that were more realistic to our situation. Whenever we got bad news, and there were several occasions when bad news needed to be delivered, he was always available to speak and had a game plan as to how we move forward. Also, we have a 4-month-old child as I write this that is healthy as an ox so we have to give the guy kudos for delivering on what he said would happen.
How competent was Ashim Kumar at LGBTQ+ care?
We are a same-sex couple and felt completely respected the entire time. It was never a concern with Dr. Kumar or his staff.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Steanna Morrison )
We worked with Caitlin to start our journey, and she was great. She was detail-oriented, punctual, and gave us the details to make educated decisions. Then there was Steanna. What can we say about the person who held our hand throughout the majority of this process? She was just the best. You would be lucky to work with her and should request her if you are given the opportunity. She was at the hospital when our surrogate gave birth and was there afterward. An amazing person and someone you want in your corner when things are going good or bad.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Our journey had a lot of moving parts and sometimes moving on from one part to the other was difficult. You find a grove and then have to work with someone else. It's a good thing in the sense that you are moving closer to your goal, but you do miss the familiarity that some phases bring. I think there could have been more details in some of the appointments we went to. Small things. For one appointment, I had to provide a urine sample. I was not aware of this at all. When I entered the office -- I immediately used the restroom. If I had been told that a urine sample was needed, then I would have just waited.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
We selected a guaranteed program and are glad we did. We aren't the type that "buy the extra insurance," but with this we did and we are glad that we did. The cost was fair. Its a lot. There is no way of sugar coating this. I think the package plan is the way to go. I don't remember the exact amount, but it was over 100k. If you piece it together (the specific procedures, etc.), it is a better value, especially if it doesn't go perfectly the first time. At the end of the day, you are paying for a child. I think if you need to go through this process, the money, albeit scary to discuss, is worth it.
How competent was Western Fertility Institute at LGBTQ+ care?
THere wasn't an issue at all.
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at Western Fertility Institute.
We used multiple egg donors with WFI on our journey. They provided us with a login to access a website with egg donors. We discussed with the coordinator which egg donor we preferred and why. If there was an issue, we discussed it. They also provided us with as much information as they had, which was nice when they were available. This part was very easy and smooth.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
LGBTQ+ Care
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
LGBTQ+ Care
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022 - 2023, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 34 - 35
1 Egg Freezing
2 Embryo Freezing
Donor Sperm
Uterine Fibroids
Black or African-American
Income $100K - $199K
Only Doc Seen
IVF With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I found Dr. Kumar to be incredibly kind, patient, and competent. He went above and beyond in his review of my case and in handling my care...I felt Dr. Kumar really advocated for me as a patient. I also appreciate his bedside manner; even though he is very busy, he can always tell when I am feeling anxious and offers a gentle and reassuring touch on his way out of appointments. He gets you in and out at monitoring appointments but still makes you feel like a person. Since it is a small office, he does all ultrasounds and retrievals unless he is on vacation.
I carefully chose Western Fertility and was not disappointed. I had two successful retrievals and felt very much supported by the team. Dr. Kumar earned and kept my trust...Since it’s a small office, I always see Dr. Kumar and never have trouble scheduling appointments around work. My appointments/procedures start on time. When I get blood draws, they greet me by name. Every monitoring appointment is followed by a in-depth meeting with my nurse coordinator, Jessica… who is organized, efficient, and makes everything super easy for me. The office (mostly through Jessica) is in CONSTANT communication with me, so I always know what to do and expect next.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
I found Dr. Kumar to be incredibly kind, patient, and competent. He went above and beyond in his review of my case and in handling my care. There was an external incident with another company that impacted my care, and I felt Dr. Kumar really advocated for me as a patient. I also appreciate his bedside manner; even though he is very busy, he can always tell when I am feeling anxious and offers a gentle and reassuring touch on his way out of appointments. He gets you in and out at monitoring appointments but still makes you feel like a person. Since it is a small office, he does all ultrasounds and retrievals unless he is on vacation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Be prepared to hear a lot of info, and for some of it to not be what you want to hear. Beyond that, it’s like any other doctor: do your research before appointments after doing some research and have clear questions prepared. Also, don’t be afraid to express any preferences or concerns you have about your treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
I found Dr. Kumar to be incredibly kind, patient, and competent. He went above and beyond in his review of my case and in handling my care. One thing I most appreciate is his bedside manner; even though he is very busy, he can always tell when I am feeling anxious and offers a gentle and reassuring touch on his way out of appointments. He gets you in and out at monitoring appointments but still makes you feel like a person. Since it is a small office, he also does all ultrasounds and retrievals. My nurse, Jessica, is also incredible. She is super responsive, proactive with sharing updates, and just great at making me feel informed and at ease. Quiana is also amazing; she’s been there for both of my retrievals and has been a great hype woman. The embryology team has been accessible and responsive to my questions. The staff has just really made it a positive experience.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Jessica)
Jessica is the best! I described her previously.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
10/10 recommend! Dr. Kumar and the medical team are wonderful. I carefully chose Western Fertility and was not disappointed. I had two successful retrievals and felt very much supported by the team. Dr. Kumar earned and kept my trust. Honestly, I’ve seen some of the negative reviews and can’t understand them at all!! I know everyone’s journey is different, but I can’t relate. Since it’s a small office, I always see Dr. Kumar and never have trouble scheduling appointments around work. My appointments/procedures start on time. When I get blood draws, they greet me by name. Every monitoring appointment is followed by a in-depth meeting with my nurse coordinator, Jessica… who is organized, efficient, and makes everything super easy for me. The office (mostly through Jessica) is in CONSTANT communication with me, so I always know what to do and expect next. After 2 retrievals, I have an email chain with WFI that is 150+ emails long. Both retrievals yielded far more embryos than expected, so the lab did its job beautifully. The only issue that has come up with my IVF care was caused by an external company and had nothing to do with the clinic; still, Dr. Kumar fought for me during that situation to make it right when he didn’t have to get involved at all. WFI has really been so great to work with. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
For my case, a single embryo transfer is recommended. The embryology team said they’ll prioritize transferring the best-grades, PGT normal embryo that matured on Day 5.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2020 - 2022, Unsuccessful
NPS
0
NPS
0
Age 30 - 32
1 IVF
Surrogacy
PCOS
European
Income $200K - $499K
5th of 6 Docs
3 IUI With Other Docs
3 IVF With Other Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
Dr Kumar was late to all of our appointments— even to time sensitive ones like my retrieval. He had no compassion and called me “young lady” whenever I tried to advocate for myself. He never thought outside the box. He refused to explore a possible endo diagnosis, which I managed to get on my own outside of his treatment(I had stage 3). He refused to treat the endo once I had it. He said there was no evidence that endo impacts implantation...
[Western Fertility Institute} Strengths- they are flexible in scheduling and it’s quick to get in Weaknesses- everything else. Everything from my own treatment, to finding a surrogate was horrible. We lost so much money and sanity because of this clinic/doctor. I’m so glad I persevered and switched clinics, because I thought there was no hope...Dr Kumar was late to all of our appointments— even to time sensitive ones like my retrieval. He had no compassion and called me “young lady” whenever I tried to advocate for myself
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
I felt the need to give an honest review because there are very few reviews, and I’m surprised they’re positive. I am here with my 3 week old baby, which never would have happened if I had stayed with Dr Kumar. After my first transfer led to a miscarriage, we had 2 failed transfers to myself followed by 2 failed transfers to a gestational carrier. Dr Kumar was late to all of our appointments— even to time sensitive ones like my retrieval. He had no compassion and called me “young lady” whenever I tried to advocate for myself. He never thought outside the box. He refused to explore a possible endo diagnosis, which I managed to get on my own outside of his treatment(I had stage 3). He refused to treat the endo once I had it. He said there was no evidence that endo impacts implantation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
When you look at his numbers, recognize that most of his success is due to using mostly donors and surrogates(you can find this on the cdc site). He is also not a member of SART, which I consider a red flag.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
The only pro of this clinic was that Dr Kumar was generally accessible and was the one doing all of the ultrasounds and treatments (though he was literally late to every single one)
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
My transfers used progesterone in oil and estrogen pills. He refused to use another type of estrogen for me, despite always having a thin lining.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Emma)
Nurse Emma refused to contact us any way but email. Even if we called to speak with her, she would respond by email. She even emailed me my beta numbers, including when they showed that I was miscarrying.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Strengths- they are flexible in scheduling and it’s quick to get in Weaknesses- everything else. Everything from my own treatment, to finding a surrogate was horrible. We lost so much money and sanity because of this clinic/doctor. I’m so glad I persevered and switched clinics, because I thought there was no hope. I have seriously had to go to trauma treatment because of everything I went through here.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
I cant remember exact costs, but they were above average due to being in LA. It is a package deal, so monitoring is included. If you do outside monitoring, you still pay WFI the same price
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
Dr Kumar wanted me to do single embryo transfers but wasn’t too pushy about it. We used 2 embryos on our third transfer
What specific things went wrong at Western Fertility Institute?
  • Failed to call with results
  • Failed to order appropriate test
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Western Fertility Institute.
Communication was horrible— nobody ever called us with sensitive results. If we were lucky we would get an email. This was the case for me and when we used a gestational carrier
NPS
0
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
2 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
1 of 5
Compassion
1 of 5
Explained risks
1 of 5
Adaptability
1 of 5
NPS
0
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
1 of 5
Scheduling
3 of 5
Billing Department
2 of 5
Nursing Staff
2 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
3 of 5
Educational Resources
1 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019 - 2022, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 41 - 44
3 IVF
Donor Eggs
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
PCOS
Poor Egg Quality
Uterine Fibroids
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Black or African-American
Income $100K - $199K
Teacher
2nd of 2 Docs
7 IUI With Other Docs
1 IVF With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr Kumar is extremely professional, knowledgeable and has created an office environment that is welcoming and supportive. He went over the latest research, walked me through every step and worked with us to develop a treatment plan that gave us the best chances. He is very understanding, funny and makes you feel like you are part of his family.
The [Western Fertility Institute] clinic is a warm and welcoming place. Everything is done in house which makes it really easy. All of the staff puts in extra effort to know you and you really feel like even though you are going through something that can be so hard they make you smile and feel like you can keep going...The entire care team is amazing, knows me by name
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr Kumar is extremely professional, knowledgeable and has created an office environment that is welcoming and supportive. He went over the latest research, walked me through every step and worked with us to develop a treatment plan that gave us the best chances. He is very understanding, funny and makes you feel like you are part of his family.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
The best advice I could give is to trust him.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr Kumar has a very human and holistic approach where he is not only concerned with your overall health, he shows genuine compassion
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
For egg retrievals we added growth hormones which resulted in more embryos than previous treatments. For transfers, he did a recurrent pregnancy loss panel, added lovenox injections and 3 months of orlissa for uterine inflammation. All added because after my missed miscarriage we reevaluated based on blood tests results and uterus evaluation. Next transfer we will stick to the same protocol.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Quiana)
The entire care team is amazing, knows me by name, treats me like family. My nurse was always available if I had a question or needed something and was very prompt in responding to me.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
The clinic is a warm and welcoming place. Everything is done in house which makes it really easy. All of the staff puts in extra effort to know you and you really feel like even though you are going through something that can be so hard they make you smile and feel like you can keep going.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
First egg retrieval transfer was around 22k Each egg retrieval after that was 2500 Donor egg/ embryo creation/icsi /PGA testing/ medication for me and donor and transfer - 27k
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
He strongly advised me to transfer 1 PGA tested embryo. We went over all of the risks and I agreed it was the right approach.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2021, Successful
NPS
8
NPS
10
Age 33
1 IVF
Endometriosis
Latinx
Nurse or HC Services
2nd of 2 Docs
3 Fertility Medications With Other Docs
Neutral
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr kumar is a very busy doctor and I feel since being in the healthcare field that was to be expected. I appreciated he is the only physician we saw. At other clinics outside of western fertility, you get whatever doctor is available and I did not like that. He listened to my concerns regarding my lining before placing the embryo for transfer and made adjustments for us based on how I was feeling...
The strengths [at Western Fertility Institute] are the nurses and clinic team are streamlined in working together. The weaknesses are that the receptionist seems so busy...Emma, our nurse was a huge reason why I felt so heard and respected during my journey. She was the best thing besides Dr Kumar. After every visit, I’d have a follow up email from her on my care. She made the whole experience amazing. Especially with having to travel to Southern California for appointments she worked around my work schedule.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr kumar is a very busy doctor and I feel since being in the healthcare field that was to be expected. I appreciated he is the only physician we saw. At other clinics outside of western fertility, you get whatever doctor is available and I did not like that. He listened to my concerns regarding my lining before placing the embryo for transfer and made adjustments for us based on how I was feeling. I am very grateful for that grace from him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Make sure you have all your questions ready to go. Like many others have written, he is in and out within a short time but does not rush you. He answers every question concisely before moving on to the next patient.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Emma, our nurse was a huge reason why I felt so heard and respected during my journey. She was the best thing besides Dr Kumar. After every visit, I’d have a follow up email from her on my care. She made the whole experience amazing. Especially with having to travel to Southern California for appointments she worked around my work schedule.
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We did the egg retrieval first and genetic testing. We waited three months before placing an embryo. I have a thinner lining and needed estrogen as well and injections prior to transfer. As well as progesterone after transfer.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Emma)
How can I put into words how amazing Emma was. I truly hope she stays at Dr Kumars office for many years to come. I would hate to have to use a different nurse after the bar she set for my husband and I. She was kind, empathetic, truly on top of her game and 1000 percent the reason I would go back to WFI.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
The strengths are the nurses and clinic team are streamlined in working together. The weaknesses are that the receptionist seems so busy. Extra help for Rosie may have been nice. As she handles not only FMLA paperwork but all the calls as well. Rosie is great but she deserves another person to help her!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
Roughly with embryo retrieval, transfer and medications 18,000.
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
No comments. We knew we only wanted to place one embryo.
NPS
8
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2018 - 2019, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 28 - 29
Surrogacy
Cancer
Income $100K - $199K
Consultant
2nd of 2 Docs
IVF With Other Docs
1 Egg Freezing With Other Docs (cancer)
1 Embryo Freezing With Other Docs (cancer)
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
He [Dr. Ashim Kumar] grew our embryos to Day 5 and then PGS tested them to determine the best embryo for transfer. We were told our embryo (4AA grade) had about an 80% chance of "working"...Although he is very busy we have had a great experience working with him and the WFI team. He was very blunt with his expectations of our embryo transfer (which is what we preferred) and did not sugar coat anything. He was easy to communicate with (from across the country) with Skype which we appreciated more than a regular phone call.
Around 100K for the entire surrogacy process [at Western Fertility Institute]...We were happy with the speed of our care as well. We had our initial visit in April and our transfer happened in August. Weakness: I think a pamphlet with step by step information for IP/GS would be helpful. We weren't really sure what to expect at the time of birth...Dr. Kumar is very intelligent and knows his stuff. He answered all of our questions in detail and explained every step of the process to us. We weren't left feeling confused or defeated. He gave us the sense that if anyone could help make this process possible, it was him. Our experience was wonderful. Of course this is a stressful situation for anyone but he helped us through it by giving us attainable expectations.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar is very intelligent and knows his stuff. He answered all of our questions in detail and explained every step of the process to us. We weren't left feeling confused or defeated. He gave us the sense that if anyone could help make this process possible, it was him. Our experience was wonderful. Of course this is a stressful situation for anyone but he helped us through it by giving us attainable expectations.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Make sure you have all of your questions written down and ready for when you meet him. The clinic is very busy so it was helpful for us to go into every meeting with everything ready that we wanted to discuss.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
It is clear that Dr. Kumar is very successful at creating families. With that success comes lots of patients from all over the world. Although he is very busy we have had a great experience working with him and the WFI team. He was very blunt with his expectations of our embryo transfer (which is what we preferred) and did not sugar coat anything. He was easy to communicate with (from across the country) with Skype which we appreciated more than a regular phone call.
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
He grew our embryos to Day 5 and then PGS tested them to determine the best embryo for transfer. We were told our embryo (4AA grade) had about an 80% chance of "working". Our gestational surrogate completed a few weeks of medication (injectable and oral medication) and was monitored with ultrasounds until ready for the transfer (and after transfer). we found out about 15 days after the embryo was implanted that our transfer was successful.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Western Fertility Institute.
We didn't deal too much with the nursing staff. Our GS did but we did not have much contact.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Strength: Their success is in their numbers. They have a high success rate and are great at what they do. We were happy with the speed of our care as well. We had our initial visit in April and our transfer happened in August. Weakness: I think a pamphlet with step by step information for IP/GS would be helpful. We weren't really sure what to expect at the time of birth.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
Around 100K for the entire surrogacy process
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
We were interested in a multiple transfer but after only 1 out of our 4 PGS tested embryos was viable our decision was made for us.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 35
2 IVF
Male Factor
East Asian
Income $200K - $499K
Professor
2nd of 2 Docs
1 IUI With Other Docs
1 IVF With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
The initial consult [with Dr. Kumar] was very informative. I thought I was pretty informed about infertility and IVF, but I learned a ton from him in that 1 hour meeting. Definitely worth the consultation fee...same protocol for both egg retrievals / 2 egg retrievals = 40 total retrieved, 8 blastocysts... takes his time for every consult, monitoring appointment, and procedure. I've never felt rushed. He seemed super serious at first and a little intimidating but we've warmed up to him. He's funny and friendly. Very knowledgeable, empathic, and skilled. During our first consult he assured us that we WILL get pregnant, which I was surprised by because nothing about fertility treatments are a guarantee.
I like that the clinic [Western Fertility Institute] is small enough that I don't feel like Patient #XYZ. The doctor, nurse, and nursing staff know my name and treatment protocols, but above that, they know and remember things that I've shared with them about my personal life, like my career/job and hometown. For example, I had to schedule an additional monitoring appointment that wasn't on my original schedule and the nurse remembered that afternoon appointments are hard for me due to my work schedule. Another time a nursing staff asked how my work's been going since I shared that with her a couple of appointments ago. Front desk staff are also very friendly. Note that this clinic only has one doctor. The longest I've waited was an hour (this was on a Sunday when they have limited staff), and I'm usually in and out within 30-45 min, which I think is reasonable. So you won't be seen immediately all the time, but you get to see your doctor for every monitoring appointment.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar takes his time for every consult, monitoring appointment, and procedure. I've never felt rushed. He seemed super serious at first and a little intimidating but we've warmed up to him. He's funny and friendly. Very knowledgeable, empathic, and skilled. During our first consult he assured us that we WILL get pregnant, which I was surprised by because nothing about fertility treatments are a guarantee.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Go in for a consult. The initial consult was very informative. I thought I was pretty informed about infertility and IVF, but I learned a ton from him in that 1 hour meeting. Definitely worth the consultation fee.
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Follistim, Menopur, Ganirelix / dual trigger (hcg and lupron) / same protocol for both egg retrievals / 2 egg retrievals = 40 total retrieved, 8 blastocysts
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Anna)
Nurse and nursing staff are fantastic. Knowledgeable, caring, responsive, friendly. I've never had issues getting in touch with my nurse - call the clinic, they pick up right away, and I'm transferred to my nurse within seconds. They've also been empathic when delivering not-so-great news (poor-ish blastocyst rates). Nursing staff will chat with you during blood draws, which is a nice distraction.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
I like that the clinic is small enough that I don't feel like Patient #XYZ. The doctor, nurse, and nursing staff know my name and treatment protocols, but above that, they know and remember things that I've shared with them about my personal life, like my career/job and hometown. For example, I had to schedule an additional monitoring appointment that wasn't on my original schedule and the nurse remembered that afternoon appointments are hard for me due to my work schedule. Another time a nursing staff asked how my work's been going since I shared that with her a couple of appointments ago. Front desk staff are also very friendly. Note that this clinic only has one doctor. The longest I've waited was an hour (this was on a Sunday when they have limited staff), and I'm usually in and out within 30-45 min, which I think is reasonable. So you won't be seen immediately all the time, but you get to see your doctor for every monitoring appointment.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
initial consultation, 2 egg retrievals, 2 frozen embryo transfers, genetic testing for up to 10 embryos, medications = $30,400
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
3 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
2018, Unknown Success
NPS
7
NPS
N/A
Age 40
Tubal Blockage
East Asian
South Asian
Income $50K - $99K
Only Doc Seen
IVF With Other Docs
Neutral
Success w/ Doc Not sure
Very knowledgeable doctor/specialist/expert [Dr. Ashim Kumar], however very busy, so you must do your research and ask plenty of questions to discuss all info you need. he'll provide enough meetings ( free) for your additional concerns/questions.... We wished if they had given us the option to do fresh transfer and transfer more Embryos (otherthan just 1) . Those 2 critical steps were NOT discussed clearly, and atleast asked us.
[Western Fertility Institute's] Weaknesses : Usually we have to call and remind/ask about things. We were not given the option for a "fresh" transfer, as she was on "vacation" ... days/week went by, not a single call from the facility after our egg retrieval. Universally speaking, a smile is freely given, but no so with her... She had difficulty smiling. She usually rushed through instructions... and felt bothered when asked to repeat or explain further.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Overall good experience. However, wish if there was either a booklet (or email PDF) was given to us or nurses needs to be trained better to explain/educate steps of the treatment in more details - such as what exactly includes and NOT includes in a treatment, and the benefit of added features ( other tests, procedures, such as PGS, etc). Since it's a large investment ( emotional, physical, & financial), patients cannot afford to repeat with new features/tests. They should have the aggressive attitude of providing ALL necessary info in the first round to avoid regrets lateron.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Very knowledgeable doctor/specialist/expert, however very busy, so you must do your research and ask plenty of questions to discuss all info you need. he'll provide enough meetings ( free) for your additional concerns/questions.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute.
Weaknesses : Usually we have to call and remind/ask about things. We were not given the option for a "fresh" transfer, as she was on "vacation" ... days/week went by, not a single call from the facility after our egg retrieval. Universally speaking, a smile is freely given, but no so with her... She had difficulty smiling. She usually rushed through instructions... and felt bothered when asked to repeat or explain further.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Decent facility, with affordable / flexible pricing packages for treatments, Doctor is well knowledgeable, but do alot of your research on your own, and ask questions of different treatment methods as the doctor will not be able to give you all info, and get alot of tests done, so you'll spend your money efficiently. And makesure to interview your nurses to see if they meet your needs.
What specific things went wrong at Western Fertility Institute?
  • Failed to call with results
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Western Fertility Institute.
We wished if they had given us the option to do fresh transfer and transfer more Embryos (otherthan just 1) . Those 2 critical steps were NOT discussed clearly, and atleast asked us.
NPS
7
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
3 of 5
Communication
3 of 5
Frequency Seen
2 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
3 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
Operations
3 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Educational Resources
4 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2015 - 2016, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 26 - 27
2 Fertility Medications
Anovulation
PCOS
European
Latinx
Income $50K - $99K
Sales Representative
1st of 2 Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Kumar came highly recommended. His office was always full, but I never felt like I was rushed or left feeling uncertain with unanswered questions. He spoke extremely calmly and carefully.... He just took to the time to make me feel like I was important and my treatment was important. It was catered to me and my needs. He did all of my ultrasounds and gave me all of my results himself.... He diagnosed me with PCOS and explained why things weren't working.
Honestly, the only downside to the clinic [Western Fertility Institute] was the waiting, but we we're never rushed once we we're seen. Dr. Kumar took the time to take great ultrasound photos (once pregnant). He always answered our questions and before leaving he would double check to make sure we didn't have any last minute thoughts we wanted to go over. The receptionist/nurses/phlebotomist/billing we're all effective communicators and everything was done with the utmost care and respect.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar was one of the best doctors myself and my husband have ever worked with. Our initial consultation was extremely thorough and he spent a great deal of time with us. He did all of my ultrasounds and would explain everything he did as he did it. He diagnosed me with PCOS and explained why things weren't working. I asked lots of questions and he never made me feel like I was bothering him or my questions weren't valid. He genuinely takes the time to reassure his patients. I enjoyed working with him so much that I have contimplated flying back to see him for baby #2 (out of state now) . He is so knowledgeable. He caters his treatment to the individual and not just a general basis. I know several people personally who have had success with Dr. Kumar, myself included. I trust his opinion completely and with full confidence. I never once felt like it was about money. I truly felt like he wanted to help grow our family and that was his only motivation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
He's an extremely sought after doctor with a lot of people to see. You will more than likely not see him at your scheduled time. He does his best and never rushes his patients....so this means a wait. It's always worth it.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar came highly recommended. His office was always full, but I never felt like I was rushed or left feeling uncertain with unanswered questions. He spoke extremely calmly and carefully. I never felt like a question I had was the wrong question. He would always ask me if I understood everything before we would move onto something else. If I didn't understand we would go over things again. He just took to the time to make me feel like I was important and my treatment was important. It was catered to me and my needs. He did all of my ultrasounds and gave me all of my results himself.
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Western Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I was very lucky that my journey with Dr. Kumar wasn't as involved as other women struggling. I started with a round of Clomid and timed intercourse. An initial ultrasound was done to diagnose my PCOS and given my history with no periods/no ovulation he started me on Clomid. Clomid is known to thin the endometrial lining so I was also put on estrogen and progesterone (both taken vaginally). Dr. Kumar explained that he's seen much better absorption and results when the medication was as close to where it needed to be as possible. I took the Clomid for 5 days and then went in for an ultrasound to check my follicle growth, as well as a blood draw for hormone levels. I waited 2 days (per orders) and then gave myself and injection into my abdomen to trigger an ovulation. My husband and I were instructed to have sex on specific days in hopes of catching the egg. After 10 days on the last day of timed intercourse I took a pregnancy test-negative. We tried again with another round of timed intercourse, but instead of Clomid, I used letrozole. Dr. Kumar explained it does the same thing as the Clomid without the major thinning of my lining. I still took estrogen and progesterone. This round worked! I became pregnant with my daughter. My lining was the same thickness level with Clomid and Letrozole, interestingly enough. My stress levels and pressure on myself was way better for my second round.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Western Fertility Institute.
I was with Dr. Kumar when he was in an office transition and the level of care never changed. Everyone was always extremely helpful and kind. They knew waiting was not ideal, but would come in and give updates.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Honestly, the only downside to the clinic was the waiting, but we we're never rushed once we we're seen. Dr. Kumar took the time to take great ultrasound photos (once pregnant). He always answered our questions and before leaving he would double check to make sure we didn't have any last minute thoughts we wanted to go over. The receptionist/nurses/phlebotomist/billing we're all effective communicators and everything was done with the utmost care and respect.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
My insurance at the time covered 50% but it was still expensive for all ultrasounds/lab work/diagnostic work and then they covered 90% once I was officially pregnant. That being said, I expected to spend anywhere from $200-400 every time I went into the office. The initial consultation was $300 and that included an hour of conversation/history followed by blood work/ultrasound.
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
I never got this far with Dr. Kumar
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
2008 - 2014, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 24 - 30
6 IUI
PCOS
Latinx
Income $50K - $99K
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I can remember my first attempt of IUI and receiving a negative pregnancy test, walking into that office was heart wrenching. As I sat in the exam room with tears in my eyes, Dr. Kumar walked in and immediately sympathized with my feelings and assured me, I would get pregnant and I did 3 cycles later!! His compassion that day meant so much to me. I immediately knew, he was someone I could trust throughout the process.
They [Fertility & Surgical Associates of CA] don't provide general pricing over the phone. Not to mention, they have HUNDREDS of clients, why not lower the cost to make it affordable for ALL people like myself! At the time I received services, my provider didn't have a fertility doctor available so they offered to send me to an outside source which is when I found FSA. I no longer have this insurance carrier and cannot afford treatment as I don't have $20-$30k sitting around!
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
I can remember my first attempt of IUI and receiving a negative pregnancy test, walking into that office was heart wrenching. As I sat in the exam room with tears in my eyes, Dr. Kumar walked in and immediately sympathized with my feelings and assured me, I would get pregnant and I did 3 cycles later!! His compassion that day meant so much to me. I immediately knew, he was someone I could trust throughout the process. Unfortunately, we tried 4 years later with no success and no more money BUT I know at some point, I'll see Dr. Kumar again and he'll help get me pregnant again.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
Trust him! He will not stir you in the wrong direction!!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
He was very caring and sincere throughout the entire process. Not once did he make me feel like a number!
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic) and their degree of success.
Initatially, I started with Clomid but Dr. Kumar immediately recognized this wasn't the best approach so he had me start injections to which we saw progress in what we were achieving. Dr. Kumar monitored my progression and highered/lowered my medication based off of every scan. Clearly he knew best as he got me pregnant.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
Great people from what I can remember.
Describe your experience with Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
Pricing! They don't provide general pricing over the phone. Not to mention, they have HUNDREDS of clients, why not lower the cost to make it affordable for ALL people like myself! At the time I received services, my provider didn't have a fertility doctor available so they offered to send me to an outside source which is when I found FSA. I no longer have this insurance carrier and cannot afford treatment as I don't have $20-$30k sitting around!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
Fortunately at that time, it was covered by my insurance carrier. NOW however, the cost is absolutely ridiculous and out right unaffordable unless you are rich! I'm working/middle class and cannot afford $20-$30k for 1 cycle!! Sad because I'm longing for another child and all these doctors see is dollar signs! They take advantage of those who desperately seek a child and it breaks my heart!!
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 25
1 Embryo Freezing
Accountant
Only Doc Seen
Donor Eggs With Other Docs
LGBTQ+
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
He is very open-minded and will supported us in pursuing our goals when building a family. He is respectful about cultural differences and personal values with regards to family planning decisions. Dr. Kumar actively advocated for our interests and supported us during this complex process...He strongly recommends single embryo transfer
The [Western Fertility] nursing staff were incredibly helpful and responsive to my concerns. They always replied promptly to my phone call and email...The lab went out of their way to provide personalized medical care for our situation. They kept us updated during the IVF process and I even received a call from the embryologist to provide an update on our situation and to answers questions about their lab.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
He is very open-minded and will supported us in pursuing our goals when building a family. He is respectful about cultural differences and personal values with regards to family planning decisions. Dr. Kumar actively advocated for our interests and supported us during this complex process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Make sure to tell Dr. Kumar what your goals are as a patient. Be transparent and use open communication with him and his staff to ensure that you get the care you need at Western Fertility.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar and his team were very attentive to my medical needs and respectful about my concerns during the IVF process. They keep in regular contact with me during the cycle and made sure to inform us about all of our options during the treatment cycle.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Western Fertility Institute.
The nursing staff were incredibly helpful and responsive to my concerns. They always replied promptly to my phone call and email. I felt like I was there number one priority and that they were committed provided me with the best care possible.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
The lab went out of their way to provide personalized medical care for our situation. They kept us updated during the IVF process and I even received a call from the embryologist to provide an update on our situation and to answers questions about their lab.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
Our cycle was approximately $20,000 total.
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
He strongly recommends single embryo transfer. I am not sure whether he offers multiple embryo transfer because we did not request this option.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
LGBTQ+ Care
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
LGBTQ+ Care
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+
2009 - 2012, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 27 - 30
2 IUI
PCOS
Uterine Fibroids
Latinx
Income $0 - $49K
Only Doc Seen
Donor Sperm
LGBTQ+
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I had no idea how to go about the idea of getting pregnant with my then, female partner. We were referred by Kaiser, and the moment we sat down w/ Dr. Kumar, he was able to answer all of our questions with full detail....He explained everything thoroughly, followed through when I was on medication, answered all my questions... Before insemination, he's open in letting you know the sperm count and if you should do a second insemination w/ a more potent specimen
The clinic [Fertility & Surgical Associates of CA] was very clean, friendly staff, and organized. They treated my partner and I very nicely considered we were the same sex. At first thought the paperwork I had to fill out was a bit much, but they honestly just needed to know every detail about my health and past.... The only thing that happened was I called about 8 years later after my daughter was born to request information on some lab results, but they told me they get rid of records after a certain time passed, so I was unable to get that information.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
I had no idea how to go about the idea of getting pregnant with my then, female partner. We were referred by Kaiser, and the moment we sat down w/ Dr. Kumar, he was able to answer all of our questions with full detail.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
Before insemination, he's open in letting you know the sperm count and if you should do a second insemination w/ a more potent specimen
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
He explained everything thoroughly, followed through when I was on medication, answered all my questions
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic) and their degree of success.
At first just Clomid was used, didn't get pregnant the first cycle. 2nd time, Dr. decided to use a more aggressive method in which I was on injections to help me ovulate, and it was successful.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
I don't really remember them, but they were very caring and attentive.
Describe your experience with Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
The clinic was very clean, friendly staff, and organized. They treated my partner and I very nicely considered we were the same sex. At first thought the paperwork I had to fill out was a bit much, but they honestly just needed to know every detail about my health and past.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
Kaiser pretty much covered most of it except medications. I'd say my partner and I spent about $1400 each try, and that included meds and sperm vials.
What specific things went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
  • Lost paperwork
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
The only thing that happened was I called about 8 years later after my daughter was born to request information on some lab results, but they told me they get rid of records after a certain time passed, so I was unable to get that information.
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)
Thousand Oaks
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
2014 - 2017, Unknown Success
NPS
5
NPS
7
Age 40 - 43
Donor Eggs
Surrogacy
Poor Egg Quality
Unexplained
European
South Asian
Income $100K - $199K
1st of 4 Docs
7 IVF With Other Docs
Surrogacy With Other Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Neutral
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
When I was able to speak to him [Dr. Ashim Kumar] he was very compassionate and caring. But he would miss phone appointments or would be too busy a lot of the time and I had to go through his nurse who would take a while to get back to me. I was scared to keep bugging them after a while as I thought that could affect my treatment t and care if I became annoying... Difficult to communicate with dr kumar without going through his nurse who didn't give much information
Arlene [a nurse at Fertility & Surgical Associates of CA] is a woman of few words. Apparently she's very experienced and knows her stuff. She's not warm or fuzzy and very little hand holding. I felt that maybe she didn't like me but maybe she's just super busy.... Three week cycle to stim. No embryo glue. He prefers single transfers but will do double. Everything is done through Arlene his nurse. She makes the calendar. Not too many adjustments to the calendar after it's made. I felt I should have had another week of injections to thicken my lining instead of the 3 weeks that resulted in only 7mm upon transfer (of course or failed)
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
When I was able to speak to him he was very compassionate and caring. But he would miss phone appointments or would be too busy a lot of the time and I had to go through his nurse who would take a while to get back to me. I was scared to keep bugging them after a while as I thought that could affect my treatment t and care if I became annoying
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
It's not a hand holding clinic
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
Difficult to communicate with dr kumar without going through his nurse who didn't give much information
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic) and their degree of success.
Three week cycle to stim. No embryo glue. He prefers single transfers but will do double. Everything is done through Arlene his nurse. She makes the calendar. Not too many adjustments to the calendar after it's made. I felt I should have had another week of injections to thicken my lining instead of the 3 weeks that resulted in only 7mm upon transfer (of course or failed)
Describe your experience with your nurse at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic). (Assigned nurse: Arlene )
Arlene is a woman of few words. Apparently she's very experienced and knows her stuff. She's not warm or fuzzy and very little hand holding. I felt that maybe she didn't like me but maybe she's just super busy
Describe your experience with Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
I hand holding!
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
He strongly prefers set due to seeing people mc with multiple
What specific things went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
  • Failed to call with results
NPS
5
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
3 of 5
Communication
3 of 5
Frequency Seen
1 of 5
Trustworthiness
3 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
3 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
NPS
7
Clinic
Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
2014, Unsuccessful
NPS
4
NPS
6
Age 27
Latinx
Income $0 - $49K
2nd of 2 Docs
1 IUI With Other Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
He [Dr. Kumar] Did the initial exam. Said I had diminished ovarian reserve as he looked at my ovaries through ultrasound. left the room. I cried. Came back after he looked at my bloodwork and said he was wrong. That’s what I remember from my visits ... Multiple times I had to remind him why we were there and our diagnosis. ... Did follistim injections. Trigger with ovridel. Had multiple large follicles but were always on my right side where I have no Fallopian tube.
My husband complained about the the collection rooms [Fertility & Surgical Assoc of CA]. He felt they weren’t private enough. And made him feel uncomfortable. The amount of people in a waiting room should be better controlled. Maybe better scheduling. ... Although I already knew the treatment had not worked. The nurse had failed to call with negative results so that we could discuss next cycles protocol. Never went back after that.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
He Did the initial exam. Said I had diminished ovarian reserve as he looked at my ovaries through ultrasound. left the room. I cried. Came back after he looked at my bloodwork and said he was wrong. That’s what I remember from my visits
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
Make sure you look completely through your patients chart before assuming a diagnosis. Multiple times I had to remind him why we were there and our diagnosis.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
There were A LOT of couples in the waiting room. It seemed like a revolving door. One came in one came out.
Describe the protocols Ashim Kumar used in your cycles at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic) and their degree of success.
Did follistim injections. Trigger with ovridel. Had multiple large follicles but were always on my right side where I have no Fallopian tube.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
The nurses were good. They answered all my questions. We’re very thorough with instructions when discussing treatment plans and medication schedules.
Describe your experience with Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
My husband complained about the the collection rooms. He felt they weren’t private enough. And made him feel uncomfortable. The amount of people in a waiting room should be better controlled. Maybe better scheduling.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
10,000
What specific things went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
  • Failed to call with results
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
Although I already knew the treatment had not worked. The nurse had failed to call with negative results so that we could discuss next cycles protocol. Never went back after that.
NPS
4
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
3 of 5
Communication
2 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
3 of 5
Compassion
2 of 5
Explained risks
3 of 5
Adaptability
3 of 5
NPS
6
Clinic
Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)
Santa Monica
NPS
Operations
3 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
3 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
2014 - 2017, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 26 - 29
1 IVF
Income $50K - $99K
2nd of 2 Docs
4 IUI With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I felt human because we became like family he [Dr. Ashim Kumar] was invested into my journey and cared about us! He was sad when we were and happy when we were... is simply amazing he sits with you as long as needed to discuss and makes sure you understand. His bedside manner is wonderful and you leave feeling accomplished and wonderful about where things are going.
My nurse [at Western Fertility Institute] gave me her cell phone number to call if I needed anything even when she was going out of town! She always made sure I was good and taken care of...Clean, organized, friendly always saw a range of people all happy. They made sure things were kept private and made sure environment was good! Rosie at the front desk is such a friendly face to see and call each time!
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar is simply amazing he sits with you as long as needed to discuss and makes sure you understand. His bedside manner is wonderful and you leave feeling accomplished and wonderful about where things are going.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
This office treats their patients like family and you will truly miss them once your parents!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
I felt human because we became like family he was invested into my journey and cared about us! He was sad when we were and happy when we were.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Western Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Quiana )
My nurse gave me her cell phone number to call if I needed anything even when she was going out of town! She always made sure I was good and taken care of.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Clean, organized, friendly always saw a range of people all happy. They made sure things were kept private and made sure environment was good! Rosie at the front desk is such a friendly face to see and call each time!
NPS
10
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
NPS
10
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
2013 - 2014, Successful
NPS
7
NPS
6
Age 31 - 32
2 IUI
1 IVF
Male Factor
European
Income $200K - $499K
Lawyer
Only Doc Seen
Neutral
Doesn't Recommend
Successful
I feel like he was upfront and honest about our options but probably pushed us into IVF when we could have tried other options.
They were all pleasant but could be rude on the phone or if you asked too many questions.
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
I really liked him. I feel like he was upfront and honest about our options but probably pushed us into IVF when we could have tried other options. I had a complication during egg retrieval and I didn't think he addressed it appropriately afterwards
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
Be your own advocate
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
I met primarily with the same nurses and always the doctor. However for being there every day the office staff never knew me by name or at least pretended not to and I felt like Kumar had to stand outside the door and read my chart before he came in.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
They were all pleasant but could be rude on the phone or if you asked too many questions. They didn't return calls in a timely manner. The bottom line is the clinic has too many patients
What specific things went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)?
  • Failed to call with results
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic).
They are slow in returning calls and can be rude.
NPS
7
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
3 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
3 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
2 of 5
Adaptability
3 of 5
NPS
6
Clinic
Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (First Fertility Network clinic)
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
3 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019 - 2020, Successful
NPS
8
NPS
9
Age 43 - 44
Donor Eggs
Surrogacy
Latinx
Income $100K - $199K
Professor
Only Doc Seen
IVF With Other Docs
LGBTQ+
Neutral
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Kumar was kind and explained things thoroughly. The day of the embryo transfer he did not take a lot of time to talk to my husband or our surrogate. But it was not bad, it was just different than the time my husband and I met with him... explained the risks [of Eset] very thoroughly. We decided to transfer two embryos, and he was fine with it...set clear expectations, explained the process and the risks. He took the time to sit down with my husband and me and talked to us until we were satisfied with the consultations. The day of the embryo transfer, he was adequate but seemed to have less time.
Strengths [at Western Fertility Institute]: friendly staff, nice facilities, warm and welcoming environment. Different families represented in the artwork. Weaknesses: parking, not the easiest to find. I cannot really think of anything as I think it's a great place...We used an agency that handled the finances throughout the process including surrogacy, lawyers, etc. So we don't have an exact number for what was for the IVF clinic...
How was your experience with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
As I mentioned first, Dr. Kumar was kind and explained things thoroughly. The day of the embryo transfer he did not take a lot of time to talk to my husband or our surrogate. But it was not bad, it was just different than the time my husband and I met with him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Every time there's an appointment, take some time to make sure you talk to the patient
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute?
Dr. Kumar set clear expectations, explained the process and the risks. He took the time to sit down with my husband and me and talked to us until we were satisfied with the consultations. The day of the embryo transfer, he was adequate but seemed to have less time.
Describe your experience with Western Fertility Institute.
Strengths: friendly staff, nice facilities, warm and welcoming environment. Different families represented in the artwork. Weaknesses: parking, not the easiest to find. I cannot really think of anything as I think it's a great place
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ashim Kumar at Western Fertility Institute.
We used an agency that handled the finances throughout the process including surrogacy, lawyers, etc. So we don't have an exact number for what was for the IVF clinic.
Describe Ashim Kumar's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Western Fertility Institute.
Dr. Kumar explained the risks very thoroughly. We decided to transfer two embryos, and he was fine with it.
NPS
8
Doctor
Ashim Kumar
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
1 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
NPS
9
Clinic
Western Fertility Institute
Encino
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5

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