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How to Replace OB/GYN Referrals During a Shutdown

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After this is all over, it is likely that our patient acquisition funnels are going to shrink after a short-term surge. Noticing trends in other industries, such as home-building and manufacturing, there are massive drops in output, and it is likely to trickle into other industries as well. The key to success when restrictions are lifted will be keeping our acquisition funnels full.

Before COVID-19, 60% of a fertility center’s patients came from their OB/GYNs and other MD referrals. But if people aren’t seeing their doctors regularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how else are clinics going to get patients?

On a live webinar, Griffin, Founder of Fertility Bridge, lays out the Fertility Patient Acquisition Funnel and what clinics can do to keep the top of their funnels full, ensuring a steady stream of patients after the surge that will come when restrictions are lifted.

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66 - Can Fertility Clinics Support New Doctors and Staff after the COVID-19 Pandemic?

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The past several weeks have brought about new decisions that clinics never thought they’d have to face. Pausing treatments for almost all patients, furloughing or laying-off staff because of that pause, and so many other never-before-seen challenges. Hopefully, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming and clinics can get back to business as (almost) usual. But what about all the doctors in limbo? Doctors are coming out of fellowship, ready to make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients, but will they have a place to go when restrictions are lifted?

Continuing in our COVID-19 Business Response Series on Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin was joined by Dr. Ruben Alvero of Stanford University Medical Center, Dr. Angie Beltsos of VIOS Fertility Institute, and TJ Farnsworth of Inception Fertility Ventures. Together, they take a look at what will happen once clinics reopen: Will they be able to operate normally? Will contracts from fellows be honored? Will more staff be needed if a backlog of patients is ready to start treatment? These questions and more are discussed among the panelists, hopefully shedding a positive light on the future of clinics after COVID-19.

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65 - Providing Patient Financial Support Amidst an Economic Disaster

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Unemployment, reduced hours, pay cuts. The reality of the COVID-19 Pandemic extends far beyond the pausing of fertility treatments. Over 60% of our country has been financially impacted by stay-at-home orders and social distancing. While clinics are working hard to keep patients in their funnels to start treatment once restrictions are limited, how are these patients going to afford the treatment? It’s not out of line to think that the demand for new financial resources will go up and the need for financing of treatments will increase. But, as we all know, discussing money can be sensitive, especially when it comes along with an infertility journey.

So, When do we talk about it with our patients? How do we talk about it with them? What can we do to help our patients afford proper care while the economy is in a downturn?

On this special episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. David Adamson of ARC Fertility and Andy Swan of Ally Lending. They discuss not only the changes we can expect in lending and patient decision-making post-pandemic, they also offer advice to financial counselors on approaching the sensitive topic of funding treatment.

This episode was recorded during a live webinar. As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues and new issues arise, we are putting out new information to help you and your fertility business. Follow us on social media for updates on upcoming webinars and how to join them live. Find this information helpful? We’d love it if you’d share with a friend or colleague in the fertility space.

Need help navigating marketing through this unprecedented time? Check out our COVID-19 Toolkit from Fertility Bridge.

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64 - Consents in the Age of COVID-19: Using Digital Solutions to Protect Your Patients and You

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“...this is an unprecedented time for everybody. We all have our expertise in different areas and our experience in different areas and now's the time to be talking about our approaches, what we're doing, sharing our ideas, and really, really working together to try to get through this and to put practices and patients in the best positions possible.”

It is business as unusual right now. Patients everywhere have been told that treatments have been put on hold and have been left in limbo. Thankfully, there has been a surge in interest in using digital technology to keep some semblance of normal for patients seeking treatment. Thanks to applications such as Zoom, clinics are able to conduct consults or relay testing results. And thanks to new innovations making consents available online, clinics are able to get patients ready for treatment, while remaining in good legal-standing.

On this special episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Jeff Issner and Taylor Stein of EngagedMD, a company that has developed an application that not only provides digital consent forms, but also goes the extra mile in patient education. Dr. Steven Katz of REI Protect joins in the discussion, offering his perspective on risk mitigation and ensuring your practice reduces liability in any way it can during these unprecedented times.

This episode was recorded during a live webinar. In the coming weeks, we will continue to provide webinars with updated information on relevant topics. Learn more about our upcoming webinars at FertilityBridge.com.

Please note that all information included in this podcast is not legal advice and is simply to provide fertility clinics with information on the use of digital consents. Before using any advice in this podcast episode, please consult with your legal team.

Find Jeff Issner and Tayor Stein at Engaged MD by visiting Engaged-MD.com.Learn about Dr. Katz and his services at REI Protect at REIProtect.com.

Need help navigating marketing through this unprecedented time? Check out our COVID-19 Toolkit from Fertility Bridge.

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How to Keep 2020 from Being Your Fertility Clinic's Worst Year

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With ASRM putting out the recommendation to cease treatment and patient contact during the COVID-19 Pandemic, clinics across the country are struggling to adjust the new normal. These changes are making impacts not only immediately, but in the long-term as well. Planning for life after the crisis is crucial at this stage. But what can we do to get ahead of the game?

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63 - Is it Time to Reduce Your Staff? Managing Furloughs, Layoffs, and Financial Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Determining when, how, and why you should consider staff reductions can be challenging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, making these decisions can be even harder.

On this special episode of Inside Reproductive Health, I spoke with Sara Mooney, Director of Administration at Seattle Reproductive Medicine and Marianne Kreiner, Chief Human Resources Officer at Shady Grove Fertility. Together, we lay out some details of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program, and answer questions from fertility leaders in clinics across the country.

We are all in this together. If you need help navigating your business through this pandemic and want to know how to prepare your clinic when it is over, sign up for our Communications and Marketing Toolkit.

To get started on a marketing plan for your company, complete the Goal and Competitive Diagnostic at FertilityBridge.com.

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62 - Navigating Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic, an Interview with Jill Gordon and Sarah Swank

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The outbreak of COVID-19 is changing the world, in both the present and in the future. In these uncertain times, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are looking to implement new technologies to continue to provide services, while limiting their face-to-face interaction. But implementing HIPAA-approved telehealth applications in a short amount of time can prove to be a challenge. Thankfully, the federal government is lifting rules and reevaluating their regulations to allow healthcare companies to use other tools to reach their patients in these difficult times. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Jill Gordon and Sarah Swank, lawyers in the healthcare division of Nixon Peabody. They navigate the changes to HIPAA regulations in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and how clinics can appropriately implement telehealth to help their patients through their journeys without seeing them in office.

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Essential Tools For Remote Fertility Employees

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The Coronavirus outbreak in the US has many businesses scrambling to maintain operations while keeping employees and customers safe. Having employees work remotely can be an effective solution for some businesses. But for fertility practices - and healthcare providers in general - a transition to working remotely is fraught with challenges: hard copy filing systems, outdated technology and HIPAA compliance to name a few.

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61 - Financing a New Business in the Fertility Field, An Interview with Jeff Issner and Taylor Stein

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Entering the fertility space outside of owning a clinic is challenging. Entering the space as a tech company, well, that’s a whole other story. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin spoke with Jeff Issner and Taylor Stein, co-founders of EngagedMD. Together, they developed software that helps to educate patients and provide informed consent in clinics across the country. They share the story of how they got started in the fertility space, from idea to execution, without any commercial debt.

Jeff and Taylor also talk about how they got doctors and clinics on board before their software was even fully developed. Plus, they discuss the ever-challenging hiring process and what they do to make sure they are getting the best people on board.

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60 - Private Practice or Academics? Finding the Right Path for any Fertility Doctor, An Interview with Eve Feinberg

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Selecting the right path in fertility is hard. Each type of practice: private, network, or academic, each has its own pros and cons and it’s easy to get lost in the details of each. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin spoke with Dr. Eve Feinberg, Medical Director at Northwestern Fertility and Associate Professor at Northwestern University. Dr. Feinberg shares her story of leaving private practice as a full equity partner to pursue her love of teaching and mentoring fellows by entering academia. She share her thoughts on the benefits of working in each and offers advice to anyone looking to switch their current trajectory.

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59 - Retaining Patient and Physician Focus While Growing a Clinic, An Interview with Michael Alper

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Boston IVF, one of the largest IVF centers in the nation and one of the first free-standing clinics in the country. What started as an independent clinic grew into one with a well-respected academic affiliation, and now has partnered with a worldwide hospital group. Through it all, their mission remained the same: bring state of the art technology to a patient-centered outpatient clinic. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, I talk to one of the founders of Boston IVF, Dr. Michael Alper. Dr. Alper shares the history of Boston IVF, but more importantly how they grew into what they are today. His story teaches important lessons to any doctor-owned clinic curious about academic affiliations or partnering with outside equity groups.

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58 - From Fellow to Partner: Advice for New Associates and Growing Practices, An Interview with Lowell Ku

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Large practice networks and groups with private equity backing are becoming more and more attractive to new REIs coming out of fellowship. Is there still a draw for new doctors to join smaller, independently-owned practices? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Lowell Ku, Senior Partner and Medical Director at Dallas IVF. Dr. Ku left fellowship with a plan to join academia, but was quickly drawn into being his own boss at a small privately-owned clinic. Dr. Ku shares his story about why he chose this path and offers his advice to new fellows who are searching for answers to determine their own path in the fertility world.

57 - A Psychological Look at the Patient Journey, An Interview with Marc Sherman

We’ve all heard the stories. Your neighbor started the adoption process and got pregnant in the middle of the process. A cousin gave up on conception after 3 years and was pregnant within a month. Is there something internal going on that helps this happen? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Marc Sherman, founder of Organic Conceptions. After two unexpected pregnancies amidst a journey with infertility, he wanted to investigate this phenomenon. Teaming up with a psychologist, Organic Conceptions created an online program for couples struggling to conceive. Their program helps to reassess patient expectations and help them through their mental and emotional challenges.

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56 - Beyond Patient Protocols: Supporting All Aspects of The Fertility Journey, An Interview with Connie Stark

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Patient retention is a crucial part to the success of any clinic. While good success rates and pleasant staff can get patients to continue treatment with you, there are other ways that your clinic can help. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Connie Stark of A.R.T. of Wellness. Their discussion uncovers a new way to help retain patients. Learn about the five aspects of life Connie focuses on in her coaching services and how integrative care can keep your patients all in on their fertility journey.

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55 - Easing the Strain of Embryo Disposition on Patients and Clinics, An Interview with Andy Gairani

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Embryo disposition is a sensitive topic for patients even long after they’ve left a clinic. However, there can also be a burden placed on clinics when it comes to making space and cryopreserving embryo, eggs, or sperm for an extended period of time. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we learn more about how one company is working to alleviate the burden for both the patient and the clinic. Listen to Griffin talk to Andrew Gairani of Embryo Options, a web-based application that provides patients with disposition education and resources, along with other features that make storage easier for everyone.

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54 - Improving Patient Experience by Building an Empowered Team, An Interview with Dr. Peter Klatsky

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There’s a challenge in finding the balance between keeping both your staff and patients happy. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin gets Dr. Peter Klatsky’s take on managing everyone’s satisfaction while providing a new standard of care. Working with his partners at Spring Fertility in California, their goal is to provide their patients a level of service that isn’t seen anywhere else, all while keeping their employees happy and in for the long haul.

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53 - Has Mentorship in the IVF Lab Suffered Due to Strained Staff? Interview with Bill Venier

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Are you struggling to retain your lab employees? You are not alone. Retention is a commonly-discussed issue across the field of reproductive medicine, but no one is hurting more than the lab. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Bill Venier, IVF Lab Director at San Diego Fertility Center. Together, they discuss what SDFC is doing to keep their employees in for the long haul, as well as some ideas to ease the training process of new reproductive biologists.

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52 - The Independent REI Practice: A Business Model That’s Fading or Relevant? Dr. John Nichols

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Privately-owned, private equity-backed, academic medicine, independent practice...each type of clinic comes with its own set of pros and cons, but are all of them going to be around forever? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. John Nichols. Dr. Nichols left his job in academic medicine to open his own private-practice, Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group (PREG) in Greenville, South Carolina. They discuss Dr. Nichols’ journey, his thoughts on the benefits of independent practices, and whether or not these clinics will continue to be relevant in the ever-changing fertility world.

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51 - All About the Sperm: Testing Standards, Accessibility, and Anonymity - An Interview with Dennis Marchesi

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Donor gametes are a crucial pillar of the field of fertility, but what happens behind the scenes? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dennis Marchesi, Director of Laboratory Operations at Xytex, a sperm bank located in Georgia. Together, they talk about the nuances of different labs working together, how Xytex is dealing with cultural changes that are affecting anonymity of donors, and the impact mail-away testing kits are having on the lab.

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50 - What Impact Will Future REIs Have on the Evolution of Patient Care? An Interview with Dr. Pietro Bortoletto

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Millennial REIs are finishing their fellowship programs and entering the workforce. With this passing of the torch, change is bound to happen, but what kind of changes can we expect? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Pietro Bortoletto, an REI Fellow at Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Bortoletto shares his thoughts on the future of REI clinics, both privately-owned and academic, and how the millennial doctors can make a positive impact on their patients and the field as a whole.