Rated 8.7
Strongly recommend: 56%Neutral: 34%Don't recommend: 10%8.7
56% strongly recommend
24 reviews
Humanity
8.9
8.9
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
8.7
8.7
Communication

Ratings of 1 mean poor communication.

Ratings of 10 mean excellent communication.

Frequency Seen
6.4
6.4
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.

Responsiveness
8
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
USC
Residency
Stamford Hospital
Fellowship
Emory

How Doctor Communicates

doctor, 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
Spencer Richlin works in 4 offices at

Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Rated 9
Strongly recommend: 74%Neutral: 16%Don't recommend: 9%9

Explore Clinic
Norwalk
761 Main Ave., Suite 200
Norwalk, CT 06851
Stamford
260 Long Ridge Rd., Entrance B (rear of building)
Stamford, CT 06902
Trumbull
115 Technology Dr., Suite C200
Trumbull, CT 06611
Danbury
103 Newtown Rd., Suite 1A
Danbury, CT 06810
Show 2 more

24 patient reviews

Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2020, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 33
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Uterine Fibroids
Income $100K - $199K
Nurse or HC Services
Only Doc Seen
Donor Sperm
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Richlin provided me with reassuring guidance but also clear facts and expectations...I was a bit nervous as a single woman discussing my fertility and family planning options with a stranger but my questions and concerns were all normalized...called me personally to go over my blood work and discuss plans...
Everyone was warm and went over their roles and specific processes they help with...They are very organized regarding privacy and ensuring they have the correct patient for blood draws and testing. While the clinic moves efficiently you do not feel rushed and your decency is respected during otherwise very invasive testing.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He jumped right into my first consultation with enthusiasm and energy. I was a bit nervous as a single woman discussing my fertility and family planning options with a stranger but my questions and concerns were all normalized. When my initial findings were very different than what I was expecting Dr Richlin called me personally to go over my blood work and discuss plans from that point on.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Write down any questions you have to make sure you don't forget to ask everything. He is VERY informative and provides great education during your consultation but he is a fast talker and mover and gives you so much great information it can make you sidetracked from smaller questions you may have. He does however always ask if you have questions at various parts of the consult.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr Richlin provided me with reassuring guidance but also clear facts and expectations about my personal situation. I ended up changing my mind from what my original plan was based on his honesty and expertise. I did not receive any judgement or frustration in changing my mind and was encouraged and given confidence instead.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I have not had any cycles performed yet due to the recommendations from ASRM. We did briefly discuss medicated versus natural cycling for IUI and some of the medications that may be used.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Carmen)
After my initial consultation I met all the players of my team! A billing advocate, patient navigator, and my nurse. Everyone was warm and went over their roles and specific processes they help with. Over the course of my consultation and adjustments in treatment plans everyone was immediately on the same page and ready to give me the anticipatory guidance I needed. I also met with their social worker, Lisa, to discuss some personal concerns around my treatment decisions and how to communicate them to loved ones. This was extremely helpful and empowering and gave me the courage to move forward with my plans.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The clinic is beautiful the moment you walk in the door. Very clean without look sterile. They have a small coffee and tea area for patients and support people. The receptionist and warm and welcoming. They are very organized regarding privacy and ensuring they have the correct patient for blood draws and testing. While the clinic moves efficiently you do not feel rushed and your decency is respected during otherwise very invasive testing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Most of my costs were covered with insurance. I have a high deductible plan so the diagnostic testing added up quickly but their billing advocate was able to pre-verify coverage very quickly with my insurance company for IUI coverage.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2015 - 2019, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
9
Age 31 - 35
3 IUI
1 IVF
Unexplained
European
Income $200K - $499K
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Richlin is passionate about his work, and interactions felt personal with him...Whenever I would do my own "research," I would get so nervous about potential side effects or negative outcomes, and Dr. Richlin would always discuss them, and he was ALWAYS right about what to expect and the true likeliness that something bad would happen...he is just so positive, so let it lift you up in what can be a really stressful time!
she [nurse at RMA of Connecticut] was knowledgeable and explained things well, but she worked part-time, so sometimes it was hard when I needed to talk to her only to find out she wasn't there that day. I have been reassigned to a new nurse, Cathie, who is awesome...It was well-run. The early morning hours were never a problem to get to...If you can't make the morning hours, I hear they can fit you in during the day, but still might not be convenient depending on your work. Infertility is just not that convenient, though...
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin loves his job and loves helping people. I like that he's very open and honest. He's extremely positive, which is nice, even though when I first started I was totally depressed and in shock that I was having trouble getting pregnant at all (I have unexplained infertility, so wasn't expecting that) and I didn't always cheer up from it, but being on the other side (my son is now 2.5), I appreciate his attitude. Whenever I would do my own "research," I would get so nervous about potential side effects or negative outcomes, and Dr. Richlin would always discuss them, and he was ALWAYS right about what to expect and the true likeliness that something bad would happen. I didn't tend to experience a lot of side effects from anything (even pregnancy), so others may have had different experiences, but that's what happened with me.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Get ready to get used to talking about all those intimate details and explore your reproductive system (did I mention I was traumatized at first? I had never seen a transvaginal ultrasound before...nor did I prefer male doctors)--he makes it totally normal and comfortable, and I really appreciate that. And he is just so positive, so let it lift you up in what can be a really stressful time!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is passionate about his work, and interactions felt personal with him. While they have a large number of patients, they do know you and treat you with a lot of respect and positivity.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Antagonist protocol: Follistim 150iu + Menopur 75iu, Ganirelix .25mg I was put on very low doses and ended up being a high responder: 22 eggs retrieved, I think 21 were mature, almost all fertilized, but many arrested between days 3 and 5, so possible egg quality issue--the cycle resulted in 4 embryos. We did not do PGS. First fresh transfer was eSet with negative pregnancy test. Next month did FET with two embryos and my son was born from that cycle :) About a year after that we transferred our last remaining embryo, which resulted in a miscarriage--HCG levels were not rising appropriately, I think it was the 5 week ultrasound that showed a strong heartbeat, but unfortunately the following week ultrasound showed a miscarriage. I'm looking to begin a new cycle in a few months, but I don't know what protocol he will put me on this time.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My nurse was an excellent clinician--she was knowledgeable and explained things well, but she worked part-time, so sometimes it was hard when I needed to talk to her only to find out she wasn't there that day. I have been reassigned to a new nurse, Cathie, who is awesome.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Clinic has a lot of patients, but they do a great job managing morning monitoring and being on time for appointments. Never be afraid to reach out to your patient navigator or nurse if you have questions. I have met others going through the infertility process and we ask questions of each other, but I ALWAYS recommend being completely transparent with the clinic--they are there for you and often do a great job of making you feel better or informing you what to expect in terms of procedures or side effects.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
It was well-run. The early morning hours were never a problem to get to, and I've seen them when I was an online/working-from-home student and working full time. If you can't make the morning hours, I hear they can fit you in during the day, but still might not be convenient depending on your work. Infertility is just not that convenient, though...
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Most was covered through CT fertility mandate (covers diagnosis and 2 cycles), but I was unclear about what counted as a cycle (both egg retrieval AND frozen transfer do...I know that now), so I ran out of coverage pretty quickly. Was also on a different insurance for a little while that didn't provide as much coverage.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I believe their goal is to use eSET as much as possible. For my situation--30yo with unexplained infertility/no big red flags--it made sense to do for our first transfer. After a negative result, and judging by my embryo grades (very average), they decided to put two in. Yes, they explained the risks.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
9
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
3 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022, Unknown Success
NPS
8
NPS
9
Age 36
1 IUI
Unexplained
European
South Asian
Latinx
Income $500K+
Investment Banker
Only Doc Seen
Fertility Medications With Other Docs
Neutral
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Richlin has a friendly bedside manner...He is a pleasure to work with, though it still often feels a tad rushed (they are definitely busy!) and in order to keep the process going, there were weeks where I would meet with almost every other doctor within the practice but [him]...[he] is very knowledgeable and quickly comes up with a plan...He or his nurse were very helpful in answering my questions along the way
The clinic [at RMA of Connecticut] is very clean and welcoming and RMA has many locations across Connecticut, which has been helpful. They are always able to get me in for my appointments quickly, and the staff has been fantastic, always in a bright and cheery mood. I can not think of anything negative to report...[nurses are] Always available, and very thorough. Carmen always does a great job at explaining the procedure and giving me a sense of what to expect.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is very knowledgeable and quickly comes up with a plan, which was very appreciated. After an initial consultation, Dr. Richlin put me in touch with his team, gave me instructions, and got the process underway. He or his nurse were very helpful in answering my questions along the way. Overall, he has been a pleasure to work with. As a slight negative, it does often feel rushed when I'm in the office and I feel like I need to think about my questions ahead of time in order to be prepared to get them in before he leaves. That being said, it's clear they are busy, and the nurse is always available to follow up and answer any concerns I might have.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Don't be afraid to ask questions - he will answer them even if he's on his way out the door!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin has a friendly bedside manner, and often will share some anecdotal stories before getting to the procedure at hand. He is a pleasure to work with, though it still often feels a tad rushed (they are definitely busy!) and in order to keep the process going, there were weeks where I would meet with almost every other doctor within the practice but Dr. Richlin.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Carmen Florio)
Always available, and very thorough. Carmen always does a great job at explaining the procedure and giving me a sense of what to expect.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The clinic is very clean and welcoming and RMA has many locations across Connecticut, which has been helpful. They are always able to get me in for my appointments quickly, and the staff has been fantastic, always in a bright and cheery mood. I can not think of anything negative to report.
8
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
3 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
9
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2020, Unsuccessful
NPS
7
NPS
6
Age 33
1 IVF
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Unexplained
European
East Asian
Income $200K - $499K
Nurse or HC Services
1st of 2 Docs
1 IVF With Other Docs
Neutral
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
I always felt like he [Dr. Richlin] was in a rush and did not have time to answer my questions or explain why he was doing certain things...I also felt like the treatment I got was not individualized and that all patients were put on the same rigid protocol even when they had different needs. He also mistakenly gave me another patients information, which gave my partner and I false hope. I understand that people make mistakes, but I wish that he had owned up to it rather than making excuses about it...
During my cycle, my information got confused with other patients on multiple occasions. It felt like this clinic [RMA of Connecticut] offers the same approach to each new patient and does not individualize their treatment or look at each patient uniquely...She [nurse] was super communicative, always responded to my emails or phone calls within the same day. However, I did feel like I had to be very proactive in getting information from her (asking her to send in med scripts, giving me my protocol schedule, giving me the correct protocol, giving me access to the patient portal, etc)
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
I had both great and not so great experiences working with Dr. Richlin. When I had a miscarriage, he went above and beyond to honor my desire to get a D&C and scheduled me for a last minute procedure. He was extremely empathetic during the experience. The challenges that I had working with Dr. Richlin were mostly in his communication. I always felt like he was in a rush and did not have time to answer my questions or explain why he was doing certain things. I was also told that I wasn't allowed to have his phone number or e-mail address to contact him, which was pretty upsetting and made me feel like an inconvenience. I understand that he's busy, but I was also paying a lot of money to work with him. I also felt like the treatment I got was not individualized and that all patients were put on the same rigid protocol even when they had different needs. He also mistakenly gave me another patients information, which gave my partner and I false hope. I understand that people make mistakes, but I wish that he had owned up to it rather than making excuses about it. I'm sure he's a good fit for some people, but it wasn't a good fit for me.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
During my cycle, my information got confused with other patients on multiple occasions. It felt like this clinic offers the same approach to each new patient and does not individualize their treatment or look at each patient uniquely.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I was put on the antagonist protocol. My issue is likely egg quality and I have a slightly low AMH for my age. I did have some eggs retrieved, but none of them resulted in viable embryos.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Cathie)
My assigned nurse was incredibly kind and caring. She was super communicative, always responded to my emails or phone calls within the same day. However, I did feel like I had to be very proactive in getting information from her (asking her to send in med scripts, giving me my protocol schedule, giving me the correct protocol, giving me access to the patient portal, etc). I had to be really on top of everything, which was an added stressor to the process.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
What is nice about RMA is that they have multiple locations, which makes it convenient in getting appointments and being seen. I never had to wait longer than a few minutes to be seen. However, because it is so big and they see so many patients, at times it felt like a factory. I didn't feel like their approach was very individualized and I rarely saw my assigned doctor.
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I was given another patient's information.
7
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
2 of 5
Communication
2 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
3 of 5
6
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 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.

2018 - 2020, Unknown Success
NPS
7
NPS
8
Age 38 - 40
2 IUI
2 IVF
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Unexplained
Only Doc Seen
Donor Sperm
LGBTQ+
Neutral
Neutral
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Richlin was willing to perform a double embryo transfer since I have DOR...I'm able to easily communicate with my physician...is a knowledgeable RE. His optimism has been helpful while going through this journey. However, he is inconsistent with email communication and sometimes dosen't follow up on essential procedures...He speaks fast so take notes and ask questions...For my IUI cycles I was prescribed Letrozole, Gonal F, and Femara. On my 1st IVF round I was prescribed Gonal F, Menopur, and MD Lupron. Unfortunately I didn't have a good response and I cancelled the cycle. I had a better response on my 2nd IVF round with Femara, Ganirelix, Gonal F, and Menopur.
Christina [nurse at RMA of Connecticut] is great with communication and shows empathy...I was incorrectly charged for sperm thawing when my insurance covered this procedure. I had to wait 3 months for a refund... They are open seven days a week. They are LGBTQIA friendly. They offer lots of events for patients. Some of the events they provide are fertile yoga, and support groups...I'm able to easily communicate with my physician and nurse. I'm treated with respect by everyone in the clinic.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is a knowledgeable RE. His optimism has been helpful while going through this journey. However, he is inconsistent with email communication and sometimes dosen't follow up on essential procedures.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He speaks fast so take notes and ask questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
I'm able to easily communicate with my physician and nurse. I'm treated with respect by everyone in the clinic.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
For my IUI cycles I was prescribed Letrozole, Gonal F, and Femara. On my 1st IVF round I was prescribed Gonal F, Menopur, and MD Lupron. Unfortunately I didn't have a good response and I cancelled the cycle. I had a better response on my 2nd IVF round with Femara, Ganirelix, Gonal F, and Menopur.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Christina )
Christina is great with communication and shows empathy.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
RMA performs a lot of IVFs and has a good lab. They are open seven days a week. They are LGBTQIA friendly. They offer lots of events for patients. Some of the events they provide are fertile yoga, and support groups.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Before Covid-19 morning monitoring was between 7-8am. Since Covid-19 appointments are given for morning monitoring.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Insurance covered a large portion of my care. However I was incorrectly charged for sperm thawing when my insurance covered this procedure. I had to wait 3 months for a refund.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Dr. Richlin was willing to perform a double embryo transfer since I have DOR.
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to order appropriate test
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I had a saline sonogram completed and polyps were found. However, I was told by the RE that performed the procedure that the polyps will leave my system on my next menstrual cycle. Unfortunately my RE said a month later that the polyps need to be removed.
7
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
2 of 5
Frequency Seen
2 of 5
Trustworthiness
3 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
8
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019 - 2020, Unsuccessful
NPS
9
NPS
10
Age 32 - 33
3 IUI
Unexplained
Income $200K - $499K
Sales Representative
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Unsuccessful
My doctor [Dr. Richlin] is highly against a multiple embryo transfer for a few reasons: my age, the risk caused by a pregnancy of multiples, and my diagnosis (unknown infertility)...he try’s very hard to relate to me and my husband. That was very important to me because it allowed me to feel comfortable asking any type of question or challenging him when I felt the need to do so (testing embryos or not- etc). It’s easy to feel inferior to a doctor especially a man twice your age, this was not the case with Dr. Richlin. In addition, he would bring up specific, personal and professional, topics we discussed in previous meetings/visits which made me feel that he was listening and invested in us and our journey.
3 Rounds of IUI [at RMA of Connecticut]...Rounds 1-2 of IUI(oral meds)= $3,500 each...Round 3 of IUI (oral/injectable meds)= $6,000...IVF= 17k *not including meds...Strengths: -Esthetics and Cleanliness of their Physical locations. - Available Resources: acupuncture, support groups, yoga classes, patient navigator, financial coordinator, Dr. Richlin’s podcast! -Staff, everyone is very friendly and easy to work with- they make you feel like you’re family. Weaknesses -telling you that you have a balance due (not past due) 5 mins prior to an IUI cycle can create stress, just bill me! -that’s really it
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
As mentioned in my previous post, Dr. Richlin is very relatable which was/is extremely important to me during this process. Along with being relatable, he takes the time to thoroughly explain each part of the treatment cycle, statistics based on age/treatments etc, suggestions and his recommendations. He using PowerPoint slides to visually review and dumbs everything down to make it easy to understand which helps limit the stress in an already stressful situation. During procedures and testing/ultrasounds Dr. Richlin’s disposition is calm and he eases the situation through conversation, questions. I’ve had a very positive experience with Dr. Richlin. While I’m not yet at the end of my journey, I am confident I am in the right hands and my outcome will be positive in the near future.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Be patient & even keeled. While the start of fertility treatment can be terrifying, it can also be very exciting. Don’t think that the first round of treatment will automatically work, however it’s important to stay positive and optimistic. Try to remember that the best things in life take time and your hard work and efforts will eventually payoff- emotionally, try not to get too high or too low-and most importantly never give up!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
I felt like a human, Dr. Richlin is very relatable. Although he is a doctor and falls into a different generation then we do, he try’s very hard to relate to me and my husband. That was very important to me because it allowed me to feel comfortable asking any type of question or challenging him when I felt the need to do so (testing embryos or not- etc). It’s easy to feel inferior to a doctor especially a man twice your age, this was not the case with Dr. Richlin. In addition, he would bring up specific, personal and professional, topics we discussed in previous meetings/visits which made me feel that he was listening and invested in us and our journey.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
3 Rounds of IUI Rounds 1 & 2 letrozole for 5 days (2.5 mg , 2 tablets daily) Bloodwork and Ultrasound-2-4 mature follicles both rounds Trigger Shot, ovadrel Sperm retrieval and washing (2 consecutive days) Sperm implantation (2 consecutive days) estrace and progesterone meds Negative pregnancy tests Round 3 letrozole for 5 days (2.5 mg , 2 tablets) Menopur injections 4 days (half vial) Bloodwork and Ultrasound - 3-4 mature follicles Trigger Shot, ovadrel Sperm retrieval and washing (2 consecutive days) Sperm implantation (2 consecutive days) estrace and progesterone meds Negative pregnancy test IVF put on hold because of Covid-19
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Cathy Gray)
I love the demeanor of my nurse Cathy, she’s a no nonsense nurse- which is what I like. I wouldn’t say she’s warm and fuzzy, but I’m not looking for that (I’m more of a cut to chase type of person). If Cathy is unavailable there is always someone else for me to connect with if needed. The team is knowledgeable, easy to communicate with, and quick. That’s all you really ask for when your dealing with someone who is giving you a protocol, explaining it and calling in your meds.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Strengths: -Esthetics and Cleanliness of their Physical locations. - Available Resources: acupuncture, support groups, yoga classes, patient navigator, financial coordinator, Dr. Richlin’s podcast! -Staff, everyone is very friendly and easy to work with- they make you feel like you’re family. Weaknesses -telling you that you have a balance due (not past due) 5 mins prior to an IUI cycle can create stress, just bill me! -that’s really it
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Rounds 1-2 of IUI(oral meds)= $3,500 each Round 3 of IUI (oral/injectable meds)= $6,000 * meds are billed separately so I’m not sure why there is a price difference between the two. IVF= 17k *not including meds
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My doctor is highly against a multiple embryo transfer for a few reasons: my age, the risk caused by a pregnancy of multiples, and my diagnosis (unknown infertility).
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I once had to call them and remind them to call in a prescription. Not a big deal!
9
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
2019 - 2020, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 37 - 38
1 IVF
Unexplained
South Asian
Income $50K - $99K
Teacher
1st of 3 Docs
3 Fertility Medications With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Richlin was always professional but very caring. He always asked if you had questions, was thorough in explaining things. Always showed visuals and data to show what was happening...he always guided me with all options that were available, and would tell me what he thought was best course of action, but always allowed it to be my decision in the end..
Monitoring appointments were really convenient because they occurred early in the morning so it didn't interfere with getting to work...She [our RMA of Connecticut nurse] was patient with me and always helped explain details of protocols and best times to take meds and etc. Even on days she was off, she responded to my emails..
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin was always professional but very caring. He always asked if you had questions, was thorough in explaining things. Always showed visuals and data to show what was happening. He always asked how I felt and how I was doing, made sure if I had any concerns he would discuss them, he always guided me with all options that were available, and would tell me what he thought was best course of action, but always allowed it to be my decision in the end. He supported me with not doing more testing, and understood financial restrictions and would do things within what was feasible.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Ask lots of questions, don't be shy, because he will answer everything happily!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin was always very informative, very caring always asking how I was, how I felt, and what I was thinking. Also always allowed me to make my own decisions, and would tell me all possible paths, what he would recommend, but allowed everything to be our choice, which I highly appreciated. He provided his knowledge but never imposed or forced decisions. He was patient and always willing to talk and discuss any thoughts or feelings about moving forward.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
My protocols were on the basic side. I took the typical medications prescribed for IVF cycles, menopur estrogen, progesterone suppositories for retrieval and for frozen transfers. If anything needed to be changed, he always adjusted medications for me based on bloodwork and numbers. And he always showed me my numbers and where I need to be. My first fresh transfer was not successful. Then COVID hit and I had to take a break from any transfers. In May we started again and I did 2 frozen transfers in May and July. July was successful, but unfortunately ended in a chemical pregnancy. My 4th frozen transfer, was successful and I transferred my last 2 remaining embryos. And I am currently still pregnant!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Christina Dias)
My nurse was amazing! She would always answer my emails, always answer my random questions or constant worrying that I was doing something wrong. She was patient with me and always helped explain details of protocols and best times to take meds and etc. Even on days she was off, she responded to my emails, which I appreciated SO MUCH!
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
With COVID being a big deal, RMA took all precautions to make sure everyone was safe. They put in safety protocols and did measures to keep things limited. They were always supportive, helpful and caring during the whole process. They are informative and everyone knows your name.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Monitoring appointments were really convenient because they occurred early in the morning so it didn't interfere with getting to work, and it was very helpful to go in quick and be out quick and on my way.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Most of my insurance covered the costs, some out of pocket expenses for medications.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
With my age being older, my doctor advised me to only do one, but again always left it up to me. My last transfer, it was our last shot, and I said I wanted to do 2 and he agreed with no problem.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
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.

2018 - 2019, Unsuccessful
NPS
4
NPS
4
Age 29 - 30
Anovulation
PCOS
South Asian
Income $100K - $199K
1st of 2 Docs
3 IUI With Other Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
Dr. Richlin had a great first impression but later on as we had more cycles of treatment we felt there was no personal connect and even the results of the procedures were not discussed with the patient by the doctor... instead had to go through a patient coordinator or nurse. The doctor does not supervise each of the procedure much to our dismay and instead some of them are supervised by nurses...
Initially RMA seemed like a well oiled machine but later on we realized it is a 'machine' where patients are not given the empathy and personal attention they deserve...Our insurance was billed even for the wrong procedures for SHG and HSG which reduced our overall insurance life time limit for Fertility treatments of 10000 $...you visit multiple doctors during your treatment cycles....
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin had a great first impression on us. He is experienced and has a good way of talking to the patient whenever we were able to see him. But as we covered more rounds of treatment we felt we were not communicated by the doctor about our results but instead had to go through a patient coordinator or nurse. The doctor does not supervise each of the procedure much to our dismay and instead some of them are supervised by nurses which we did not feel was right. We felt there was not enough empathy and instead it was more about the patient finding their way during the fertility journey. We had to undergo multiple rounds of HSG with not each procedure supervised by the doctor. Also had to undergo a hysteroscopy due to endometrial polyps which was performed by the doctor and was a success.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Please do not expect constant direct communication channels with Dr. Richlin. You may need to visit multiple doctors during procedure as that is how RMA works in CT (Stamford and Norwalk). If you are able to see the doctor, you will get sound advise and try to ask all your questions during the visit.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
RMA is a big name in providing fertility help for people looking to start a journey in parenthood. When we decided to start our fertility journey with RMA CT, we were totally not prepared or knew what to expect. Initially RMA seemed like a well oiled machine but later on we realized it is a 'machine' where patients are not given the empathy and personal attention they deserve. Dr. Richlin had a great first impression but later on as we had more cycles of treatment we felt there was no personal connect and even the results of the procedures were not discussed with the patient by the doctor and also the doctor did not provide an email address to discuss concerns or questions. It was more about getting more number of IUI cycles done and later discuss if we need to progress to IVF.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
We underwent 3 IUI cycles in RMA-CT without success. I was diagnosed with PCOS and endometrial polyps. The first 2 IUI cycles were with Letrozole only and the third cycle was with letrozole and injectable hormones i.e. gonadotropins. We were initially told that we can start with timed intercourse but later on it was decided that the treatment would directly start with IUI.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Angela Buzzeo)
Angela was a very good nurse and an excellent communicator, unfortunately she had to leave RMA while our treatment was in progress and we were assigned to a different nurse and our experience with the new nurse was OK and not excellent.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
RMA CT has excellent infrastructure and different people assigned to different roles. Sometimes this can be a downfall as your primary doctor will not be available to you for direct contact and instead you visit multiple doctors during your treatment cycles. Also during off hours you do not have direct communication access to your doctor instead have to rely on your patient coordinator or nurse who cannot empathize or know all details of the treatment. Sometimes you feel like as a patient you are treated just as a cash cow. Our experience was completely different when we moved states to NY and had to switch doctors and clinics.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Our insurance was billed even for the wrong procedures for SHG and HSG which reduced our overall insurance life time limit for Fertility treatments of 10000 $. Most of our lifetime limit was exhausted at the end of 2 rounds of SHG, 3 attempts of HSG (2 failed and one successful) , 3 rounds IUI and one procedure of hysteroscopy. We had to pay for the copays for every visit which included visits for blood draws. We also paid for the injectable medicines out of pocket which was around 400$ per cycle.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Not applicable in our case.
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Provided conflicting information
  • Canceled a cycle due to clinic error
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I had to undergo multiple rounds of SHG (Saline Sonogram). The first time it was performed and everything was normal but later on it was discovered that the results were wrong and I had to reperform the test and that is when my endometrial polyps were identified. Also they could not perform the HSG successfully until 4 attempts as the medical staff were not able to to pass the catheter into the cervix. This was very disappointing to say the least.
4
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
2 of 5
Communication
3 of 5
Frequency Seen
2 of 5
Trustworthiness
2 of 5
Compassion
2 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
3 of 5
4
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
1 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
1 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2017 - 2019, Unknown Success
NPS
9
NPS
8
Age 37 - 39
7 IUI
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Poor Egg Quality
European
Income $50K - $99K
Operations
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Neutral
Success w/ Doc Not sure
[Dr. Richlin] Thoughtful with care plans and protocols, and listened to my concerns for adjusting medicine and dosage sizes. Encouraging after despair, especially after miscarriage following IUI... Strong preference for single embryo transfer as per the board of medicine guidelines which is puts women at risk for multiples.
Quick in/outs with smooth blood draws by experienced, caring clinicians. The space is very clean, runs very efficiently and the staff take their time with each patient... I wish that [nurse] Pat were more knowledgeable about Dr. Richlin’s protocol preferences so I could better understand his choices.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Thoughtful with care plans and protocols, and listened to my concerns for adjusting medicine and dosage sizes. Encouraging after despair, especially after miscarriage following IUI. Appreciate the clinic’s holistic approach and wish alternative medicines were better built into care plans.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Trust in the process, and feel confident in Dr. Richlin’s recommendations.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Generous and gentle every step of the way.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Dr. Richlin gradually increased the dosage after my miscarriage (IUI #1), However, we learned that my body reacted better to low dosage so we reverted to the lowest amount possible (75 mg) which gave me the highest egg counts.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Patricia Jones)
Pat had the good fortune of relaying my pregnancy and the terrible job of telling me I’d lost it. Both were communicated with great empathy. With care, I wish that Pat were more knowledgeable about Dr. Richlin’s protocol preferences so I could better understand his choices.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Quick in/outs with smooth blood draws by experienced, caring clinicians. The space is very clean, runs very efficiently and the staff take their time with each patient. There is a sense of anonymity that’s comforting. However if you wanted to join in support groups or yoga classes, there are plenty of options.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Excellent IUI coverage but due to the nature of my plan, there were frequent conversations with my financial team. The team was understanding and always responded with clarity, even when coverage terms were vague.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Strong preference for single embryo transfer as per the board of medicine guidelines which is puts women at risk for multiples.
9
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
8
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
3 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.

2014 - 2019, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 34 - 39
3 IUI
6 IVF
Unexplained
European
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I was feeling particularly hopeless and over the phone he [Dr. Richlin] switched gears from medical doctor to checking on my mental health. He then adjusted our protocol in response. ... When it was time for us to come back for baby #2, he welcomed us with open arms as though we'd never left. ... Knowing I have his support and that he is walking with me on my journey makes it so much easier to walk back through those doors.
I give Kirsten lots of credit for our successful transfer. She noticed that my saline sonogram was about to expire and got me to squeeze in one before starting meds for a transfer. During the SS it was determined that I needed a hysteroscopy at which time they cleaned out a bunch of "webbing" in my uterus. ... The strength of RMA-CT is 100% its people. They are professional and they care. I'll say it 100 times - they truly care - everyone from the person at the front desk to the fantastic blood draw ladies to the doctors and nurses. A close second strength is the holistic approach to healthcare. I have taken advantage of the nutritionist, social worker, acupuncturists and especially Fertile Yoga and Ladies Night In support sessions.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is fantastic. He knows his stuff as well as he cares about his patients. I worked with him for 2 years prior to our first RMA baby and we have been at it again for the last 14 months. When my husband and I first met with him, we were eager and optimistic. Dr. Richlin connected with my husband (as well as me) and made us both feel comfortable being in the unfamiliar office, with unfamiliar technology (the vaginal ultrasound wand is no joke!). As we progressed through diagnostic procedures without unveiling answers, I got more frustrated, but Dr. Richlin stayed with me, motivating me and explaining what "unexplained" means. He also gave insight into what we were finding and helped us understand our options. After the required (by insurance) 3 IUI's, we headed into IVF. When we had no embryos on day 5 after our first retrieval, Dr. Richlin called me in shock. Hearing the surprise in his voice made me feel better. I was not a number, I was a future success story, but he was as frustrated as me by our roadblock. After another failed retrieval, he took our chart to "case review" to get his colleague's opinions. I love that he was humble enough to do this and that the others cared enough to help. What is better than 1 amazing brain? 5 of them! We kept tweaking the protocol and ended up with something that worked. When it was time for us to come back for baby #2, he welcomed us with open arms as though we'd never left. When I more recently had a miscarriage, he followed up via phone and email to see how I was doing. Knowing I have his support and that he is walking with me on my journey makes it so much easier to walk back through those doors.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Don't be afraid to ask questions! He will gladly take the time to explain something to you, or work through a scenario with you. He is a great listener and wants to know your concerns.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin knows me and emails and calls me directly after good and bad news. When I first worked with him, I was feeling particularly hopeless and over the phone he switched gears from medical doctor to checking on my mental health. He then adjusted our protocol in response. When I recently had a miscarriage, he squeezed me in on a Saturday in between other scheduled appointments to check on my unexplained bleeding. He saw me again the next day (Sunday) and had a very in depth conversation with a partner who saw me on Monday. On Monday, it was decided I needed to go to the hospital for emergency surgery (I was having an heterotopic miscarriage which resulted in a ruptured tube and several days later a D&C.). Dr. Richlin called the hospital and worked closely with the head of surgery to make sure the director would be doing the (tubal) procedure. He also shared my file (with my permission) so that I was able to bypass many pokes and prods in the ED. Later in the week, it was decided that I needed a D&C. The office facility was booked, so Dr Richlin scheduled the OR at the hospital and again worked with the Director of Surgery so that they both did the procedure (after hours). Dr. Richlin also celebrates our successes (they are his as well!) and always welcomes our 2 year old when she comes with me for an appointment (our first RMA baby). When I brought her in as a baby, he stepped away from his desk and chatted with us for 30 or so minutes in the middle of the day. He truly cares and his passion for what he does is evident in how he treats his patients.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
3 IUI's - standard protocol 1st retrieval - standard protocol, nothing made it to day 5. PROTOCOL: 1/15/15 - baseline ultrasound and bloodwork; 1/17/15 - Dexamethasone 1/2 tablet in AM, Gonal F 300 + Menopur 75 at night; 1/20/15 - ultrasound and bloodwork; 1/21/15 - dexamethasone continues, start Doxycycline 2x daily, Gonal F 300 + Menopur 75 x2 + Ganirelix; 1/22/15 - Ultrasound and bloodwork; 1/24 - ultrasound and bloodwork, 1/25 - ultrasound and bloodwork, last dexamethasone, HCG trigger, Gonal F 300 last time; 1/26/15 - bloodwork; 1/27/15 - retrieval 2nd retrieval - Luteal Estrace/Antagonist. 2 blasts on day 5 (very very low quality) (untested); PROTOCOL: 3/2/15 - bloodwork; 3/2/15 - start estrace 2mg twice daily, start baby aspirin; 3/12/15 0 ultrasound and bloodwork; 3/14/15 - Gonal F 300 + Menopur 75 at night; 3/14/15 - start dexamethasone 0.5mg 1/2 dab orally every am until taking HCG; 3/15/15 - last dose of estrace; 3/17/15 - ultrasound and bloodwork; 3/19 (or around then) start ganirelix (.25 prefilled syringe) and possibly started menopur; take HCG 10,000 units or Ovidrel 250 (mcg) 36 hrs before retrieval; The night of the retrieval take Medrol 16mg for 5 days, also start Doxycycline 100mg 2x/daily for 5 days. Start Estrace 2mg 2x/daily after retrieval and begin Crinone 90mg the morning after retrieval (prep for fresh transfer) 1st transfer (FRESH) resulted in a negative pregnancy test (PROTOCOL - see above) 3rd retrieval - IVF with Luteal Estrace/Antagonist - resulted in 1 embryo on day 6 (untested); PROTOCOL: 4/27/15 bloodwork; 4/27/15 start estrace 2mg 2x daily, start baby Aspirin; 5/11/15 - ultrasound and bloodwork; 5/12/15 - Gonal F 300 + Menopur 150 every evening also Dexamethasone 0.5mg, 1/2 tablet orally every morning until HCG; 5/13/15 - last dose of Estrace; 5/15/15 - ultrasound and bloodwork; 5/17/15 (or around then) - begin Ganirelix and likely Menopur; HCG 10,000 units 36 hrs before retrieval 4th retrieval - Luteal Estrace/Antagonist - resulted in 1 embryo on day 6 (untested) 2nd transfer (frozen, used 2 blasts) resulted in a positive pregnancy test. One fetus was lost at week 7, other is a precious 2 year old :) Used estrace valerate to support my estrogen numbers. --break due to pregnancy and nursing-- 5th retrieval - did luteal phase priming - resulted in 4 high quality embryos on day 5. None were tested. (at this point, I've been on NeoQ10 for almost 5 years, otherwise the result was a surprise) PROTOCOL: 2/19/18 - bloodwork to confirm ovulation; 2/19/18 - start estrace 2mg orally twice daily, start taking baby aspirin; 3/5/18 - return for ultrasound and bloodwork; 3/6/18 - Gonal F 300iu + Menopur 150iu every evening; 3/7/18 - last dose of estrace; 3/9 - ultrasound and bloodwork; 3/11/18 (or around then) started ganirelix and may have increased menopur 3rd transfer (frozen, using 2 blasts)- used estradiol valerate and copied the protocol from transfer #2 - negative pregnancy test. PROTOCOL: 4/10/18 Start Estradiol Valerate (0.2ml (4 mg) injections. One injection every 3 to 4 days so that you are doing them 2x a week. Start baby aspirin daily. 4/20/18 - REturn to office for bloodwork and ultrasound. 4/21/18 - Start Progesterone 50mg (one cc) IM @ 12pm alternating every other day with Crinone one vaginal insert 2x daily. Continue Estradiol Valerate at the same dose and schedule. 4/26/18 - Transfer day. Use Crinone, one insert vaginally in the morning. 5/4/18 - Pregnancy blood test 4th transfer (frozen, using 2 blasts) - used estradiol valerate and copied protocol from transfer #2 - positive pregnancy test, week 6 demise of both pregnancies. I had a heterotopic pregnancy/miscarriage, resulting in a ruptured right tube and a D&C. PROTOCOL: 8/9/18 Start Estradiol Valerate (0.2ml (4 mg) injections. One injection every 3 to 4 days so that you are doing them 2x a week. Start baby aspirin daily. 8/22/18 - REturn to office for bloodwork and ultrasound. 8/25/18 - Start Progesterone 50mg (one cc) IM @ 12pm alternating every other day with Crinone one vaginal insert 2x daily. Continue Estradiol Valerate at the same dose and schedule. 8/30/18 - Transfer day. Use Crinone, one insert vaginally in the morning. 9/7/18 - Pregnancy blood test 6th retrieval - this was rushed due to squeezing it in before the end of our insurance cycle, we didn't want to "leave money on the table" - resulted in no embryos on Day 3 - quite a shock to have none * I also do acupuncture 2x a week when in cycle, whether it be a retrieval cycle or a transfer cycle. I do laser acupuncture before and after the transfer. ** I take a prenatal, DHA supplement, NeoQ10 and folic acid regularly
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Kirsten, and now Kaylen)
The nurses are all amazing. I feel very fortunate to have had two of the best. They respond promptly to both email and phone calls and answer my endless questions without a hint of frustration. They explain things as many times as I need it explained and in as many ways. They are great at sending reminders and following up. I give Kirsten lots of credit for our successful transfer. She noticed that my saline sonogram was about to expire and got me to squeeze in one before starting meds for a transfer. During the SS it was determined that I needed a hysteroscopy at which time they cleaned out a bunch of "webbing" in my uterus. The nurses absolutely go the extra mile. They greet me with a smile in the morning and followed up with genuine emails and calls following our miscarriage.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The strength of RMA-CT is 100% its people. They are professional and they care. I'll say it 100 times - they truly care - everyone from the person at the front desk to the fantastic blood draw ladies to the doctors and nurses. A close second strength is the holistic approach to healthcare. I have taken advantage of the nutritionist, social worker, acupuncturists and especially Fertile Yoga and Ladies Night In support sessions. Fertile Yoga and Ladies Night In are unique peer-led support groups which have given me an outlet and also a place to grow in this and with this diagnosis. Lisa Rosenthal (the leader) is a tireless advocate for all of us, and for fertility, and inspires me to get back up and try again. Through these support groups, I have developed strong friendships with others going through this process and also with new moms as we mutually emerge from the diagnosis. The clinic treats the whole person - the whole FAMILY - and I am so glad my OB recommended I "go straight there."
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Morning monitoring is not awesome, but the waiting room is well-stocked with coffee, tea, TV and on the weekends, bagels. It is first come, first served, but we sit waiting for our name to be called in a very comfortable place. Once your name is called, you go do bloodwork and from there they take you to an exam room. About 15% of the time, the exam rooms are all full and you go back to the waiting room and have your name called again for the exam room. The exam rooms are pleasantly decorated in peaceful tones, but are otherwise exam rooms. The primary facility (where I go) was opened in 2015, so it still feels fresh, clean and new.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
We are very fortunate to have had many of our procedures covered by insurance. I believe we paid a total of about $30,000 out of pocket for our first child ($20,000 was covered by insurance). We've now paid approximately $10,000 (in deductibles) for our second go-round.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Yes. I did not know what to do and felt very comfortable asking him to make that decision. Transfer #1 - fresh transfer, 2 embryos very low quality - it wasn't discussed too much. I think the doctors knew there was a slim chance either would work. Transfer #2 - I was mentally exhausted and questioning whether I should even do the transfer. I wanted to only transfer 1 and possibly have the second for a second baby, but I also barely had it in me to go through one transfer cycle. Dr. Richlin talked to me about the consequences of transferring 2, and then said he thought I should do 2 based on my mental state. I needed to get on with things (we were talking egg donor if it didn't work). My husband and I discussed the possibility of having twins and we were excited about it. I was 35 at the time. Transfer #3 - I was 37 and we discussed it, but transferring 2 seemed like the right thing to do. Transfer #4 - There was a brief discussion, but we were comfortable transferring 2. **After the miscarriages from transfer #4, we will now get any embryos tested and only transfer 1.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
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.

2018 - 2019, Successful
NPS
8
NPS
10
Age 30 - 31
2 IUI
1 IVF
1 Egg Freezing
Anovulation
Income $100K - $199K
Teacher
Only Doc Seen
Neutral
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Ritchlin always a has such a positive attitude. It is very clear that his end goal is to get us pregnant. It is evident that he is passionate about our goals and is our biggest cheerleader. He wants success for us and that is evident. ... Dr. Ritchlin always takes the time to call and discuss any protocol, procedure, outcome or plans with us in details and uses specific data to relate information.
I have always had a super short wait period for bloodwork and morning monitoring. I have never waited more than 5-7 minutes. ... I think the biggest strength of RMA [of Connecticut] is their expansive resources. They are such a well equipped team of staff and doctors and every time I am there I feel welcomed and comforted. The office is extremely clean and uplifting. Everyone is always happy and outgoing. ...
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Ritchlin always a has such a positive attitude. It is very clear that his end goal is to get us pregnant. It is evident that he is passionate about our goals and is our biggest cheerleader. He wants success for us and that is evident.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Make sure to ask questions specific to outcomes so that he can further explain the rationale and reasonings.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Ritchlin always takes the time to call and discuss any protocol, procedure, outcome or plans with us in details and uses specific data to relate information.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
We first started in April 2018 with clomid and timed intercourse. That did not work. We then went into doing 2 cycles of IUI which neither worked. It was our choice to proceed with an IVF cycle instead of waiting one more round of IUI. IVF started in August with stims and a retrieval followed by 3 frozen transfers: September, October, December. We are currently prepping for our second IVF cycle.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Judit )
Our nurse has been the stepping stone to our IVF journey. She is constantly in communication with us, and always giving us up to date information. We work primarily with our nurse because she has the quickest turn around time and we have the best relationship with her.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I think the biggest strength of RMA is their expansive resources. They are such a well equipped team of staff and doctors and every time I am there I feel welcomed and comforted. The office is extremely clean and uplifting. Everyone is always happy and outgoing.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I have always had a super short wait period for bloodwork and morning monitoring. I have never waited more than 5-7 minutes.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
So far, we have paid roughly $25,000 - $30,000 for our cycles and medications. This also includes roughly $1,000 for acupuncture appointments, $175 mental health appointment and the rest is what insurance did not cover.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Dr. Ritchlin shared the concerns about doing multiple embryo transfers and we agreed that single embryo transfers were the best option for our cycles.
8
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2017 - 2018, Unknown Success
NPS
8
NPS
9
Age 39 - 40
1 IVF
Endometriosis
European
Income $200K - $499K
Engineer
Only Doc Seen
Neutral
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Ask which office he [Dr. Richlin] is currently rotating at to ensure you can see more of him!...Did a birth control start into a Lupron microflair protocol with gonal f and Menopur and a hsg trigger. This was due to my age factor. Next protocol will be similar but with an estrace priming due to low number of mature eggs in last round...He is a good communicator and made you feel at ease and cared about.
There was an error made on my protocol paperwork [at RMA of Connecticut] but it was fixed and compensated for but it was a slight worry if it effected anything. All other communications and answering all my questions were very helpful!...Morning monitoring was from 7-8am and this generally worked out well. As long as you got there near 8 they would still see you. There was a wait at times for bloodwork depending on how many people there were but it was usually fairly quick to be seen.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He is very helpful and caring. He gives good detailed explainations of everything that is going on, but in a simplified condensed manner that really brings the most important things to light while allievating fears.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Ask which office he is currently rotating at to ensure you can see more of him!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He is a good communicator and made you feel at ease and cared about.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Did a birth control start into a Lupron microflair protocol with gonal f and Menopur and a hsg trigger. This was due to my age factor. Next protocol will be similar but with an estrace priming due to low number of mature eggs in last round.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Kaylyn)
There was an error made on my protocol paperwork but it was fixed and compensated for but it was a slight worry if it effected anything. All other communications and answering all my questions were very helpful!
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
You can feel like a number at times but all the staff is really very helpful and caring so it more than makes up for it. All my visits went well and they all put me at ease through the whole process.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Morning monitoring was from 7-8am and this generally worked out well. As long as you got there near 8 they would still see you. There was a wait at times for bloodwork depending on how many people there were but it was usually fairly quick to be seen.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Insurance was denied so out of pocket Opportunity Plan was $20,000 for PGS and one round of IVF with 10 days of medications included. We paid for one additional day of meds for $500. Diagnostics and genetics testing were covered under insurance since we got our max out of pocket.
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
There was a slight protocol amount change that was not told to us till wee were already thru most of the cycle. This caused a shortage of meds for a day but this was given to us at no charge to make up for the error.
8
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
9
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2018, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 35
1 IUI
PCOS
Ashkenazi Jewish
Income $100K - $199K
2nd of 2 Docs
1 IUI With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Richlin has been an amazing doctor. He’s kind, caring, gentle, professional, helpful, and wonderful to work with. What could have been a stressful, overwhelming process wasn’t at all because of him...He asks you personal questions to get to know you and tells you personal information about himself as well. He makes you feel totally comfortable and humanizes the doctor/patient relationship.
Cathie [at RMA of Connecticut] was very helpful and always available to me in terms of asking and answering questions, medication refills, etc. She's a thorough, knowledgeable, and competent nurse!...Multiple locations so the clinic is open 7 days of the week (Norwalk, CT) Staff is very nice Office is beautiful, modern, and brand new A variety of good, competent, helpful doctors on rotation Everyone's very professional. I had an incredible experience with Dr. Richlin and RMA. Additionally, he helped me pregnant on my second try (IUI)! HIGHLY recommend, 10/10!
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is an amazing doctor. He’s kind, caring, gentle, professional, helpful, and wonderful to work with. He asks you personal questions to get to know you and tells you personal information about himself as well. He makes you feel totally comfortable and humanizes the doctor/patient relationship. He likewise makes what could be a stressful or uncomfortable experience, the opposite. Initially I saw a different doctor at RMA but after meeting with Dr. Richlin and having him do a few of my exams and my first IUI (even though I was technically seeing another doctor), I switched to his care as soon as I could. That's how nice, helpful, compassionate, and competent he is. He always makes you feel at ease and calm, as well.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
You'll feel comfortable in a situation that could otherwise be uncomfortable.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin has been an amazing doctor. He’s kind, caring, gentle, professional, helpful, and wonderful to work with. What could have been a stressful, overwhelming process wasn’t at all because of him, as well as the incredible RMA staff. While I thought I would be uncomfortable with a male doctor but with Dr. Richlin, I couldn’t have been more comfortable. He’s truly one of the gentlest people I’ve ever met.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Cycle 1: Clomid 50 mg; injectable ovulation trigger; 2 IUI's on back-to-back days; progesterone supplements Cycle 2: Clomid 100 mg; injectable ovulation trigger; 2 IUI's on back-to-back days; progesterone supplements
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Cathie Gray)
Nurse: Cathie Gray Cathie was very helpful and always available to me in terms of asking and answering questions, medication refills, etc. She's a thorough, knowledgeable, and competent nurse!
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Multiple locations so the clinic is open 7 days of the week (Norwalk, CT) Staff is very nice Office is beautiful, modern, and brand new A variety of good, competent, helpful doctors on rotation Everyone's very professional. I had an incredible experience with Dr. Richlin and RMA. Additionally, he helped me pregnant on my second try (IUI)! HIGHLY recommend, 10/10!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Insurance covered my IUI's so I only had to pay co-pays for visits and medications. Maybe $10 for progesterone and climid. $150 and then $75 for the ovulation trigger injection (based on my own insurance deductible) For 4 IUI's (2/cycle and I did 2 cycles), which included numerous morning monitoring visits and blood tests, it was only a few hundred dollars.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
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.

2017 - 2018, Successful
NPS
8
NPS
8
Age 27 - 28
5 Fertility Medications
PCOS
Ashkenazi Jewish
Income $50K - $99K
Teacher
Only Doc Seen
Neutral
Neutral
Successful
When we first met Dr. Richlin, he wanted to know about us. Who we were, what we did. Then we got into the details of what was happening. He assessed our levels and explained everything very clearly.... He was very understanding and put us at ease. He explained to us step by step and was able to tell us what will happen next and what he suggested. He did factor in our opinions.
Everyone there [RMA-Stamford] was extremely helpful. There were scenarios in which I wasn't able to make it to the office for bloodwork and they were able to work with my schedule while also workin within their protocol. Everyone was extremely professional.... The other doctors are very kind and professional. Obviously not everytime I would see the same doctor, but there were times I wish I knew ahead of time which doctor would be in the office to see me.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He was very understanding and put us at ease. He explained to us step by step and was able to tell us what will happen next and what he suggested. He did factor in our opinions. When we were paying out of pocket for the treatments (insurance didn't cover anything) and had 4 failed timed intercourse (letrozole medicine, ovidrel shot) cycles, we were hesitant to continue with another round of timed intercourse. He sat down with us and weighed our options, doing another round of timed intercourse vs jumping into ivf cycle. The only thing I was hesitant about, was when we initially came to meet him, prior to any treatment, he seemed way more optimistic than he should've I felt. He said you should have no problem getting pregnant based on my levels. And it's been almost 9 months later and.... no success with anything. It's certainly not his fault what So ever, just wish he didn't give me that false hope in the beginning of treatment. But overall, he's been cheering us on, and helping us along the way with any details.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Understand he isn't G-d. He isn't guaranteeing a pregnancy, so don't be too hopeful (no way near his fault). He is there to guide us professionally and maximize our opportunity to get pregnant.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
When we first met Dr. Richlin, he wanted to know about us. Who we were, what we did. Then we got into the details of what was happening. He assessed our levels and explained everything very clearly.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Kirsten H)
Everyone there was extremely helpful. There were scenarios in which I wasn't able to make it to the office for bloodwork and they were able to work with my schedule while also workin within their protocol. Everyone was extremely professional.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The other doctors are very kind and professional. Obviously not everytime I would see the same doctor, but there were times I wish I knew ahead of time which doctor would be in the office to see me.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I had to pay for everything out of pocket, which every cycle with a timed intercourse was 2000 dollars. Prior to that I had several tests done which in itself was closer to 3000. Medicine was also not included.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
As of 2017, in CT, it is a law they are no longer allowed to implant more than one embryo during each time, unless there is a certain circumstance (e.g. above 35 yrs old)
8
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
8
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
2 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2016 - 2017, Unsuccessful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 26 - 27
2 Fertility Medications
Anovulation
PCOS
European
Income $0 - $49K
Teacher
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Unsuccessful
Dr. Richlin took the time to get to know my situation and my husband's situation and made sure we understood everything that was going on. He answered our questions thoughtfully and I never felt rushed. He was very helpful and encouraging.... Dr. Richlin recommended I try timed intercourse with Clomid. The first dose of clomid was too little and follicles did not grow large enough for the trigger shot. He gave me a higher dose of clomid immediately, which did the trick as my follicles were large enough for a trigger shot.
This clinic [RMA of Connecticut] is beautiful, clean, and well organized. The staff is excellent. The clinic is bright and welcoming, and I always feel comfortable when I am there. It does not feel like a 'sterile' environment.... Most of the nurses I encountered were warm and friendly. My nurse coordinator sometimes seemed a bit cold, but besides that I never had a negative experience.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
My experience with Dr. Richlin was very positive. The first time I met with him, I met with him on my own and he was very reassuring and helpful. Each staff member that I encountered was friendly and welcoming and made sure I was comfortable. Questions were always answered promptly if I was unable to get in contact with someone right away.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He is very reassuring, almost to the point that I felt there was no way my treatments wouldn't work. Unfortunately, I have not gotten pregnant yet and felt very disappointed each time, which is to be expected. The advice I would give is to remember that nothing is guaranteed, a doctor can't possibly know for sure if something will work for you so...I would say be cautiously optimistic.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin took the time to get to know my situation and my husband's situation and made sure we understood everything that was going on. He answered our questions thoughtfully and I never felt rushed. He was very helpful and encouraging.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Dr. Richlin recommended I try timed intercourse with Clomid. The first dose of clomid was too little and follicles did not grow large enough for the trigger shot. He gave me a higher dose of clomid immediately, which did the trick as my follicles were large enough for a trigger shot. I gave myself the trigger shot as directed, ovulated, and had timed intercourse as directed. I went in for a blood test about two weeks later and it was negative. I then began my next cycle with the larger dose of Clomid and did the whole thing all over again the same way with the same results. For the third round it was recommended that I switch to letrozole, but I declined to go for another round because there was some factors in my life that caused me to need to put things on hold.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Kirsten)
Most of the nurses I encountered were warm and friendly. My nurse coordinator sometimes seemed a bit cold, but besides that I never had a negative experience.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
This clinic is beautiful, clean, and well organized. The staff is excellent. The clinic is bright and welcoming, and I always feel comfortable when I am there. It does not feel like a 'sterile' environment. I cannot think of any weaknesses.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My insurance covered everything.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
N/A
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
  • Provided conflicting information
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My insurance only covers infertility treatments after you have been actively trying for one year. Dr. Richlin mistakenly reported me as trying for only a few months so the insurance would not cover infertility treatment. The financial adviser tried to rectify the situation, but my insurance company is not very helpful and never returned any of the phone calls made by the counselor. Due to this error, I was unable to qualify for an IUI and was told to do timed intercourse in the meantime, which never worked.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
1 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 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.

2016 - 2017, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 31 - 32
2 Fertility Medications
Anovulation
PCOS
European
Income $100K - $199K
Operations
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Not sure
Dr Richlin was, from the beginning, extremely open, honest, compassionate, and took a deep interest in our situation...He never hesitates to check in, answer questions, go into more detail, and make sure that we're comfortable with where we are and the next steps. He takes the time to point out everything he's looking at during ultrasounds and explain what he sees. He's so thorough and caring in everything he does.
RMA is phenomenal. Not only do they have amazing doctors and nurses, but their support services are second to none. Yoga, acupuncture, support groups, nutritionists all come together to give patients a comprehensive treatment plan. It would have been much more difficult for me to deal with the stresses of my infertility if I hadn't taken advantage of these services. The facilities are amazing - modern, clean, top-end. The multiple locations make it easy to schedule appointments.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr Richlin was, from the beginning, extremely open, honest, compassionate, and took a deep interest in our situation. Unfortunately, our first pregnancy ended in a loss due to chromosomal issues. Dr. Richlin called me personally to extend his sympathies and stress that he and the team were there for us whenever we were ready to move forward. He never hesitates to check in, answer questions, go into more detail, and make sure that we're comfortable with where we are and the next steps. He takes the time to point out everything he's looking at during ultrasounds and explain what he sees. He's so thorough and caring in everything he does.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He's chatty! I like that, because I'm chatty as well, but if you're looking for a doctor who just presents the facts with nothing else, Dr. Richlin isn't the one for you. But if you want a doctor who is more than willing to go into tiny details and talk about anything with you, he's the one!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is amazing. He is warm, compassionate, and always takes as much time as needed to answer questions and go over plans. He is genuinely excited with successes and genuinely upset with setbacks. He also takes the time to chat about non-fertility topics and really get to know his patients and their partners, which made me feel at ease with him very quickly. I've never felt so comfortable with a doctor.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I have annovulatory PCOS, but no other fertility issues, so we started with Femara and a trigger shot for ovulation induction and a timed intercourse cycle. Our first cycle was successful in that we conceived, but we lost that pregnancy at 15 weeks due to chromosomal abnormalities. Our second cycle we followed the same protocol and were successful as well. We are awaiting genetic testing on this pregnancy. Usually patients start with Clomid, but due to my history of depression as well as the risks of non-ideal cercival mucus and uterine linings, plus the slightly higher risk of multiples, I asked if Femara would be an option. He was immediately on board. I liked that he was willing to brainstorm different possibilities with me.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Christina)
Christina is a wonderful nurse, but admittedly, she is busy since she's the nursing manager, and I often spoke with other nurses when I was called with test results. However, Christina always responded to emails very quickly and even on weekends/after hours.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
RMA is phenomenal. Not only do they have amazing doctors and nurses, but their support services are second to none. Yoga, acupuncture, support groups, nutritionists all come together to give patients a comprehensive treatment plan. It would have been much more difficult for me to deal with the stresses of my infertility if I hadn't taken advantage of these services. The facilities are amazing - modern, clean, top-end. The multiple locations make it easy to schedule appointments.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Ovulation induction was covered under our regular health benefits, with the exception of the trigger shot which came out of our fertility benefits. We had very few out of pocket costs other than the prescriptions and some copays for office visits.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 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.

2019, Unsuccessful
NPS
6
NPS
6
Age 38
2 IVF
2 Egg Freezing
2 Embryo Freezing
European
Income $200K - $499K
Doctor
1st of 2 Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
[Dr. Spencer Richlin] Very smart. Good technique and hands for procedures. Hard to reach. Not the best at communicating with the patient out of the office. Everything goes through the nurse...Use two different protocols for my two cycles. First cycle produced few eggs and no viable embryos at 5 days. Protocol was changed the second time and produced more eggs...He does not do multiple embryo transfer
[RMA of Connecticut is] Extremely clean. Flexible hours. Multiple locations. Friendly staff. During AM checks, you can wait anywhere from 5 mins to 45 mins depending on how many people are being monitored that am. He surgery center is very comfortable and clean and great staff...My nurse always seemed to be out when I needed her. I must have spoken to 10 different nurses. The competency varies significantly. Some are just phenomenal. Super smart and compassionate. Others not so much.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Very smart. Good technique and hands for procedures. Hard to reach. Not the best at communicating with the patient out of the office. Everything goes through the nurse. My nurse seemed to always be out when I needed her.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Emphasize your expectation of communicating with him through the process, then you'll feel less like a number.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
rma is a factory and tends to depersonalize the experience
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Use two different protocols for my two cycles. First cycle produced few eggs and no viable embryos at 5 days. Protocol was changed the second time and produced more eggs.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My nurse always seemed to be out when I needed her. I must have spoken to 10 different nurses. The competency varies significantly. Some are just phenomenal. Super smart and compassionate. Others not so much.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Extremely clean. Flexible hours. Multiple locations. Friendly staff. During AM checks, you can wait anywhere from 5 mins to 45 mins depending on how many people are being monitored that am. He surgery center is very comfortable and clean and great staff.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The wait all depended on how many patients were there.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
About $15 to 20k per cycle
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
He does not do multiple embryo transfer
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to call with results
  • Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The patient is responsible for communicating with the medication providing pharmacy, which is extremely frustrating esp when the clinic and the pharmacy dont communicate or doesnt get the rx. Would be significantly less stressful if the clinic handled this.
6
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
6
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2017 - 2019, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 30 - 32
3 IUI
1 IVF
Unexplained
Only Doc Seen
Fertility Medications With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Richlin always shows us statistics and comparisons when we ask about putting more than one embryo in...He is warm and thorough and treats us like he cares about us...was beyond compassionate and thorough when I was going through the chemical pregnancy and the miscarriage. He monitored me daily through ultrasounds and bloodwork and kept me in the loop with everything happening. I couldn’t have asked for a better doctor to get me through one of the most difficult things...he’s extremely smart and you can trust everything he says.
As a practice, they [RMA of Connecticut] don’t like to transfer more than one embryo because it is very unhealthy for the patient and baby (orbabies). Multiples put the patient in many categories for risks...Dr.s, nurses, therapists, & acupuncturists are the strengths. They are smart, caring, compassionate and thorough. If I had to say one weakness it would be some of the front desk staff can be a little cold while checking in. Since that is the first person you meet in an environment that can be new and scary for you, it may give a new patient an uncomfortable feeling.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin was beyond compassionate and thorough when I was going through the chemical pregnancy and the miscarriage. He monitored me daily through ultrasounds and bloodwork and kept me in the loop with everything happening. I couldn’t have asked for a better doctor to get me through one of the most difficult things.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Relax and let him do his job-he’s extremely smart and you can trust everything he says.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He is warm and thorough and treats us like he cares about us.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Cathy )
They are very nurturing during the situations that I have been in. I feel so comfortable with the nurses and I am so thankful when they are in the room with me when my husband can’t be!
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Dr.s, nurses, therapists, & acupuncturists are the strengths. They are smart, caring, compassionate and thorough. If I had to say one weakness it would be some of the front desk staff can be a little cold while checking in. Since that is the first person you meet in an environment that can be new and scary for you, it may give a new patient an uncomfortable feeling.
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
As a practice, they don’t like to transfer more than one embryo because it is very unhealthy for the patient and baby (orbabies). Multiples put the patient in many categories for risks. Dr. Richlin always shows us statistics and comparisons when we ask about putting more than one embryo in.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
4 of 5
Billing Department
3 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.

2018, Unsuccessful
NPS
7
NPS
6
Age 35
1 IUI
Unexplained
European
Income $50K - $99K
Only Doc Seen
Neutral
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
He [Dr. Richlin] was a very caring, approachable doctor, but I only saw him 2 or 3 times max. He did not perform the IUI even though he was my assigned doctor at the clinic.... My diagnosis was unexplained, besides going on thyroid medication (thyroid was slightly elevated). He recommended trying an IUI. I went on birth control, then started clomid, after taking clomid my lining was thick enough and my progesterone wasn’t high enough.
RMAs’ doctors travel from clinic to clinic, so patients do not see the same doctor every visit. Me personally, did not feel very comfortable seeing a different doctor every time I was there. The patient experience/touch is lost.... Staff is very friendly, if you don’t mind seeing a different doctor each time then I would recommend. It was very clean, hours operations are convenient, I was always out on time (never has to wait long).
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He was a very caring, approachable doctor, but I only saw him 2 or 3 times max. He did not perform the IUI even though he was my assigned doctor at the clinic. He recommended that I try another IUi, however my husband and I ended up moving out of state.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
RMAs’ doctors travel from clinic to clinic, so patients do not see the same doctor every visit. Me personally, did not feel very comfortable seeing a different doctor every time I was there. The patient experience/touch is lost. I should have done more research beforehand.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
My diagnosis was unexplained, besides going on thyroid medication (thyroid was slightly elevated). He recommended trying an IUI. I went on birth control, then started clomid, after taking clomid my lining was thick enough and my progesterone wasn’t high enough. They put me on more medication, but came back with a negative pregnancy test. He recommended we try again, but like I said before we ended up moving.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Staff is very friendly, if you don’t mind seeing a different doctor each time then I would recommend. It was very clean, hours operations are convenient, I was always out on time (never has to wait long).
Describe Spencer Richlin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Never discussed
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My thyroid was being monitored and my counts were drastically different each time, but my designated nurse didn’t inform me, I had another nurse notice my results.
7
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
2 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
6
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2020 - 2022, Unknown Success
NPS
10
NPS
7
Age 39 - 41
5 IVF
Donor Eggs
Male Factor
European
East Asian
Income $200K - $499K
Doctor
Only Doc Seen
Donor Sperm
Strongly Recommends
Neutral
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Richlin is knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. He cares about you as a human being as well as a patient. He has worked with my special needs relayed to additional medical conditions and has been patient and understanding...Make sure Dr. Richlin is always in the loop. There are so many pair involved in your care that it is easy to get lost, but if he is always included, you can assure everyone will be on the same page
There is significant turnover in the [RMA of CT] nursing staff as well as changeover when you switch to egg donors, so you do begin to feel like a number and that care is disorganized...Hours are great, though they seem busier than their bandwidth. Too many patients so it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. You need to take charge of your own care, which may be difficult for someone who does not also hold an MD themselves
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. He cares about you as a human being as well as a patient. He has worked with my special needs relayed to additional medical conditions and has been patient and understanding
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Make sure Dr. Richlin is always in the loop. There are so many pair involved in your care that it is easy to get lost, but if he is always included, you can assure everyone will be on the same page
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin went out of his way to call me whenever necessary or whenever I asked for a call.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
There is significant turnover in the nursing staff as well as changeover when you switch to egg donors, so you do begin to feel like a number and that care is disorganized
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Hours are great, though they seem busier than their bandwidth. Too many patients so it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. You need to take charge of your own care, which may be difficult for someone who does not also hold an MD themselves
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My insurance covered most of my treatment except egg and sperm donor
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Lost paperwork
  • Failed to call with results
  • Lost results
  • Provided conflicting information
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
2 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
7
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
3 of 5
Scheduling
3 of 5
Billing Department
2 of 5
Nursing Staff
3 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2016 - 2017, Unsuccessful
NPS
8
NPS
8
Age 34 - 35
4 IUI
1 IVF
Income $200K - $499K
Marketer or PR
2nd of 2 Docs
Fertility Medications With Other Docs
Neutral
Neutral
Unsuccessful
Dr. Richlin is warm, caring, and takes the time to explain things. He asked about our personal lives, and shared information about his, which helped us bond...He is a very warm physician who takes the time to explain the science behind the procedures. He seems to care about you as a human being and is rooting for your success. When we did not initially get the results we were hoping for, Dr. Richlin met with us several times to talk about altering protocol. He renewed our optimism.
[RMA - Norwalk] Run efficiently, kind staff, organized. Billing is only so so...Kisten (and Cathy) at RMA are both kind and helpful individuals. Kirsten is my assigned nurse, and she is very knowledgeable and thoughtful....19,950 for one ivf cycle...[Monitoring Appointments] No complaints. Very efficient....Dr. Richlin is warm, caring, and takes the time to explain things. He asked about our personal lives, and shared information about his, which helped us bond.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
He is a very warm physician who takes the time to explain the science behind the procedures. He seems to care about you as a human being and is rooting for your success. When we did not initially get the results we were hoping for, Dr. Richlin met with us several times to talk about altering protocol. He renewed our optimism.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Bring all of your questions with you - he will take the time to answer them!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin is warm, caring, and takes the time to explain things. He asked about our personal lives, and shared information about his, which helped us bond.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I had normal numbers, so we did a standard antagonistic cycle with low to moderate dosages. HCG as trigger. Now, I am using a down regulation stimulation (just started with lupron).
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Kirsten Hennigan)
Kisten (and Cathy) at RMA are both kind and helpful individuals. Kirsten is my assigned nurse, and she is very knowledgeable and thoughtful.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Run efficiently, kind staff, organized. Billing is only so so.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
No complaints. Very efficient.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
19,950 for one ivf cycle
8
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
4 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
4 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
8
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
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
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019 - 2020, Unsuccessful
NPS
5
NPS
6
Age 40 - 41
2 IVF
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Poor Egg Quality
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
1st of 3 Docs
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
The treatment [under the care of Dr. Richlin] was based on standard protocols applied in a sequence based on trial and error. It wasn’t taken into consideration my reoccurring pregnancy losses and I was told PGS testing would help! It didn’t! My protocol was not tailored for my specific challenges...If you are a candidate for typical fertility issues that can be addressed with common iVF protocols, then his the dr for you. If you need a dr to customize a protocol and dig deeper into how to help you. He is not that dr or perhaps that isn’t the type of clinic....
They [RMA of Connecticut] are fast, on point and clean. You are in and out quickly. That’s the best part. Weakness is you sometimes feel rushed during your sessions. If you have a somewhat unique fertility issue this is not the place for you. They won’t dig into figuring that out. They focus and excel on common fertility issues with standard protocols....
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
If you are a candidate for typical fertility issues that can be addressed with common iVF protocols, then his the dr for you. If you need a dr to customize a protocol and dig deeper into how to help you. He is not that dr or perhaps that isn’t the type of clinic.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
The treatment was based on standard protocols applied in a sequence based on trial and error. It wasn’t taken into consideration my reoccurring pregnancy losses and I was told PGS testing would help! It didn’t! My protocol was not tailored for my specific challenges.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
Gonal 225, Menopur 225 Estrace, microdose lupron 20 units, gonal 300 and menopur 150
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Carmen)
Everyone is on point no complaints
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
They are fast, on point and clean. You are in and out quickly. That’s the best part. Weakness is you sometimes feel rushed during your sessions. If you have a somewhat unique fertility issue this is not the place for you. They won’t dig into figuring that out. They focus and excel on common fertility issues with standard protocols.
5
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
2 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
3 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
3 of 5
Adaptability
3 of 5
6
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Norwalk
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
3 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, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 43
1 IVF
Latinx
Income $50K - $99K
Only Doc Seen
Donor Sperm
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
I haven't start my first cycle [with Dr. Spencer Richlin] yet. But I have been in the clinic couple of times now for other procedures. I trust him and like his style. He is Honest and very genuine. I believe I am in good hands and can't wait to the end of the tunnel...Do not be afraid of ask questions. Sometimes I feel like I wasn't getting answers but was also my anxiety taking the best of me...also told me to get to sperm vials which I did from different donors but ended up being wrong. They never explained me that I needed the same donor for one cycle. This first round was a bit confusing. I am still trying to get the medications so I can be ready for September which would be my first cycle.
The location is great as well as the partnership they have with Stamford Hospital...Nurses are being pretty transparent and straight with the process...There were too many email communications that could have been done better via phone...They also told me to get to sperm vials which I did from different donors but ended up being wrong. They never explained me that I needed the same donor for one cycle. This first round was a bit confusing. I am still trying to get the medications so I can be ready for September which would be my first cycle.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
I haven't start my first cycle yet. But I have been in the clinic couple of times now for other procedures. I trust him and like his style. He is Honest and very genuine. I believe I am in good hands and can't wait to the end of the tunnel.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Do not be afraid of ask questions. Sometimes I feel like I wasn't getting answers but was also my anxiety taking the best of me.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Nurses are being pretty transparent and straight with the process
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Judith )
There were too many email communications that could have been done better via phone.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I looked at their trajectory and seems pretty solid. The location is great as well as the partnership they have with Stamford Hospital. I looked at their trajectory and seems pretty solid. The location is great as well as the partnership they have with Stamford Hospital.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
My insurance is paying most of it. I am paying for first cycle with PGS testing about $8,000 - if this doesn't work - would need the same plus donor sperm and medicines for another cycle.
What specific things went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
  • Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
  • Provided conflicting information
  • Canceled a cycle due to clinic error
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Well, I feel that I wasn't told exactly the whole process. Not matter how many times I told them about my cycle expected date, I didn't get the medicines on time. So I had to push until next month. They also told me to get to sperm vials which I did from different donors but ended up being wrong. They never explained me that I needed the same donor for one cycle. This first round was a bit confusing. I am still trying to get the medications so I can be ready for September which would be my first cycle.
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
3 of 5
Frequency Seen
1 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
4 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022 - 2023, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 39 - 40
1 IUI
1 IVF
Income $200K - $499K
Business Executive
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Dr. Richlin took the time to answer all my questions and was very patient with me. I felt like he genuinely cared about me and my family goals. He always made me feel positive and supported. I felt like I could truly trust Dr. Richlin and that he had the best bedside manner. I always felt like I was speaking toa family member more so than speaking to my doctor. He made everything seem so attainable and easy and walked me through every step of the process.
They [Illume Fertility] were always able to accommodate me and make a last-minute appointment whenever needed for my protocol. I never had to wait long in the waiting room. They were always on time and pleasant. I feel like they knew me by name without knowing my chart...Dr Richlin was always pleasant to speak with, genuine, encouraging and always made me feel like he was truly supportive of me, my goals and fertility journey.
How was your experience with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Richlin took the time to answer all my questions and was very patient with me. I felt like he genuinely cared about me and my family goals. He always made me feel positive and supported. I felt like I could truly trust Dr. Richlin and that he had the best bedside manner. I always felt like I was speaking toa family member more so than speaking to my doctor. He made everything seem so attainable and easy and walked me through every step of the process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Don't hesitate. If you're even thinking about any part of this process, call for a consult.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr Richlin was always pleasant to speak with, genuine, encouraging and always made me feel like he was truly supportive of me, my goals and fertility journey.
Describe the protocols Spencer Richlin used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I did a course of hormone injections to grow as many eggs as I could at once, then have them retrieved and fertilized with my husbands frozen sperm. My body was quickly going into my next cycle so we had to change course instead of waiting and get ready for a transfer sooner.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
They were always able to accommodate me and make a last-minute appointment whenever needed for my protocol. I never had to wait long in the waiting room. They were always on time and pleasant. I feel like they knew me by name without knowing my chart.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Spencer Richlin at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
i was self pay so in total around $25,000
10
Doctor
Spencer Richlin
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
10
Clinic
Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)
Stamford
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

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