At Shady Grove Fertility, we understand that calling to schedule your first appointment can be stressful, which is why we have a dedicated team to take your call and ensure we answer all your questions.
Our New Patient Center is a team dedicated to providing potential patients with the basics on our financial programs, treatment options, and getting started information. Many team members were SGF patients themselves and personally understand the fertility journey.
When getting ready to schedule your first appointment, please have your insurance information handy as well as your partner’s demographic information (if applicable). In addition to gathering demographic information, the New Patient Liaison will also ask how long you’ve been trying to conceive or what brings you to SGF and how you were referred.
Finding the right appointment
Shady Grove Fertility offers virtual consults and in-office consults to best suite any patient’s preference. Partners are still able to join the virtual consults.
Please let the New Patient Liaison know if you’d prefer a virtual or in-person consult when scheduling.
You’ll also be asked which office you’d like to establish care at. With over 50 locations, SGF has an office convenient to you.
Once you’ve decided on a home office, you can also choose which SGF physician you’d wish to see. We do ask that you schedule this initial consult with the doctor that will be with you throughout your treatment journey. You can read more about SGF’s incredible medical team and find a doctor here.
New patient paperwork
Before your new patient consult, you’ll receive a text and email from a system called Phreesia. Phreesia is a new, private, HIPAA-compliant, electronic patient intake system. Phreesia is a recognized leader in this space and has proven to greatly improve the overall patient experience by providing convenient, flexible, mobile, in-office, and contactless check in options. Patients with upcoming virtual consultations will receive their telemedicine link from Phreesia the day of the appointment.
You’ll complete your paperwork and upload photos of your insurance card and driver’s license directly to Phreesia. All paperwork must be completed 3 business days prior to your appointment so that your care team has time to review your medical history.
If you have prior medical records pertinent to this appointment, please have them faxed directly to your office.
Your first fertility specialist appointment
At the first appointment, you will meet with your physician to discuss your medical history and learn more about your family-building goals. Your physician will explain the fertility testing process and after the appointment, your Care Coordinator will help you schedule any needed diagnostic testing.
“At the first appointment, I want patients to be encouraged to ask questions and see this as an opportunity to have a conversation about your family-building goals,” shares Selma Amrane, M.D., who sees patients at SGF’s Towson, Maryland, location. “The first appointment can feel intimidating, but I promise that SGF’s dedication to providing patient-centered, compassionate fertility care will help put you at ease.”
The initial fertility consult with your physician is a comprehensive evaluation of your history and medical records. The appointment typically lasts 45 to 90 minutes. During this visit, you will have the opportunity to have your questions answered and to participate in developing a plan for further evaluation and/or treatment. Learn more about what to expect from your initial fertility consult, here.
Some patients interested in egg freezing will need to have the diagnostic testing completed before they meet with their physician.
A few days after your appointment, you’ll receive financial and insurance information from your dedicate financial counselor through your SGF patient portal. Through the portal, you can also request to set up time to speak with your financial counselor.
If you are having trouble trying to conceive, it may be time to schedule an appointment at Shady Grove Fertility, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 888-761-1967.
Medical contribution by Selma Amrane, M.D.
Selma Amrane, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including gynecologic endocrine issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as male factor infertility and infertility resulting from endometriosis. Dr. Amrane see patients at SGF’s Towson, Maryland and Washington, DC – K Street offices.
