Donor Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos is One Path Forward
There Are Many Ways to Build a Family
Family Building with Donor Conception
Your fertility clinic may have told you that you need a consultation with a mental health professional. You may wonder why this is when people have babies all the time without consulting with a therapist. To be clear, this consultation is NOT a place to decide your fitness to become a parent.
The reproductive mental health community has learned through feedback from many of the donor-conceived adults how to prepare you for this unique experience. Therefore, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends this consultation as a guideline to discuss the psychosocial nuances of donor conception beyond it being a medical procedure.
Why Do I Need A Consultation?
This consultation is a place to discuss nuances such as, but not limited to, decision-making related to choosing a donor, grieving the loss of a genetic connection to your future child, concerns and complexities about disclosure to the child and family members, and the emotional challenges related to the conception process.
Intended Parent Consultation
Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.
- Anonymous
You Want to Help
Helping another individual or couple actualize their dream can be a beautiful thing. It’s okay if you have questions about becoming a donor.
This screening aims to ensure that you meet the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines for donating sperm or eggs. You will undergo a clinical interview and complete the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). A report will be sent to the relevant agency or clinic. Recommendations will be based on the donor's emotional stability, maturity, psychological functioning, and ability to provide informed consent.
Egg and Sperm Donor Screening
FAQS
What are your fees?
Recipient Consultation (55-60mins + letter/report): starting at $350
Psychological Screenings: Please call for more information.
Are you in-network with any insurance company?
I am not “in-network” with any insurance company. However, if you have a PPO plan, there is a good chance that your insurance company reimburses for “out-of-network” providers. I am happy to provide you with a statement (Superbill), which you can submit to your insurance to seek reimbursement for fees already paid.
If you are interested in working with me and would like your insurance company to reimburse you for some or all of your costs, please contact them directly to determine your coverage. Some questions you should ask are:
• Will my insurance cover donor screenings?
• Will my insurance cover intended parent consultations?
No Surprises Act - You are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of Medical Costs
*Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, healthcare providers and healthcare facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal healthcare program or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.
- You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, click here or www.cms.gov/nosurprises. You can also call (800) 368-1019.
How long is the Intended Parent Consultation?
Our meeting will last 1-2 hours, depending on how quickly we are able to cover the necessary points of consideration for the process and any questions that arise. Your clinic will often tell you that our meeting will only need to be an hour. Moving forward with IVF through donor gametes is a big deal, and by this point, I know you’re anxious to move on to the next step in the process. However, I’ve found that allowing for more time helps intended parents process questions that may arise.
How long is the Egg and Sperm Donor Screening?
The screening itself takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and consists of a 60-minute clinical interview and time to complete the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) assessment.
Will you share your screening directly with my fertility clinic?
Yes, I will compile the results from our interview and your assessment into a report and forward it to your fertility clinic.