1. Why
does my spouse/partner have to come to this visit?
For patients who are seeking fertility treatment or
attempting pregnancy, we ask that both you and your
partner attend the first visit. This insures that
our physicians have all of your necessary
information and avoids any unnecessary delays in the
diagnostic and treatment processes. Due to the Texas
Medical Practice Act, our physicians cannot
prescribe medications or order tests (semen
analysis, hormone levels, infectious disease
screening, etc.) on patients without first having
taken at least a medical history.
2. What if my partner can’t come to this visit? Do I
need to reschedule?
Though it is strongly encouraged for you both to
attend the first visit, we realize that it can be
difficult trying to coordinate multiple schedules.
If your partner cannot attend the first appointment,
you do not need to reschedule. However, your partner
will need to attend one of your appointments at a
later date, prior to beginning any testing or
treatment procedures with Texas Fertility Center.
3. Will my partner or I have to do any tests (blood
work, semen analysis, etc.) at this appointment?
No. Your first visit will be a consultation with
both you and your partner. An examination and
sonogram will typically be performed at this first
visit as well. Other tests such as blood work and/or
a semen analysis are not typically performed at this
visit.
4. I’ve already gone through a lot of tests with my
Ob/Gyn. Do I have to repeat them all again with TFC?
Not necessarily. If you have already begun
fertility testing with your Ob/Gyn, please ask them
to send those medical records to our office. Having
this information will allow your TFC physician to
determine if any additional testing is needed prior
to beginning your treatment plan. We strive to
minimize the need for repeat testing.
5. Will TFC call my Ob/Gyn to request medical records?
No. Because your medical records are your
private property, no doctor’s office can request or
release that information without your written
consent. Please complete the Authorization
for Release of
Confidential Information (to TFC) and
submit it to the physician from whom you are
requesting medical records. Once your physician’s
office has that form, they will be able to fax or
mail your medical records directly to TFC.
6. What type of medical records should I have sent to
TFC?
This is entirely up to you. Records regarding
any previous fertility testing and treatment are
always helpful for your first visit. If you have not
had any fertility testing performed with another
doctor, you may not need to have any records sent
over to TFC.
7. How do I know if my insurance will cover my first
visit?
Once you have completed the Patient Information
and Insurance Information forms and have submitted
them to our office, our New Patient Coordinator will
call your insurance company to verify coverage. You
will be contacted a few days before your appointment
to review this information. We also recommend that
you speak with your insurance provider directly to
verify this information.
8. I’d like to call my insurance to check my coverage
myself, but I’m not sure what to ask them. What
should I do?
We suggest that you use the
Insurance Benefit
Questionnaire on our website as a guide when
speaking with your insurance carrier. In general, if
your policy at least covers the diagnosis of
infertility, your first visit should be covered.
Ask your insurance carrier to verify whether or
not your plan requires that you obtain a referral to
see a specialist. If your plan does require a
referral, you will need to contact your Primary Care
Physician or Ob/Gyn to request this referral before
your first appointment.
10. I’ve completed all the requested paperwork. Should I
send it in ahead of time?
Sure! The only forms that are needed prior to
your appointment are the Patient Information and
Insurance Information forms. However, if you have
completed all of the paperwork and would like to
send it in ahead of time, please feel free to send
it to us via fax (512) 451-0977 or by mail at our
office address. Please address the envelope to the
attention of our New Patient Coordinator.
11. What should
I do if I can’t submit the Patient Information and
Insurance Information forms online?
You can
also send these forms in via fax or U.S. mail. If
you do not have access to a fax machine or do not
have enough time to mail these forms, please call
our New Patient Coordinator at (512)451-0149 x
7420. She can take this information over the phone.
12. Can I be
added to a waiting list in case an earlier
appointment becomes available?
Absolutely!When scheduling your first
appointment, feel free to ask your nurse to add your
name to your physician’s waiting list. If an earlier
appointment becomes available, you will be contacted
to see if you would like to move your appointment
up. If you are not on your physician’s waitlist and
would like to be added, please call our New Patient
Coordinator at (512) 451-0149 x 7420, and she can
add your name to the list.
This can
vary both by doctor and by the specific
circumstances of your individual condition. In
general, most new patient visits last between 45
minutes and one hour.
