immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Hello ladies,

Congrats to all who made it to this side!!!
I am tentatively dipping my toes on this side (afraid of jinxing after all the issues and losses we had; this is FET#2 after 6IUIs, 5IVFs and 1FET.

I am a Braverman's patient, and we are relatively new to the area (my previously picked OB is in NYC which will make this a logistical nightmare), so I would really appreciate any referrals on LI. We are in Great Neck, so I was thinking of going to Katz LIJ for delivery (praying I am actually in a position to plan that far :) ).

I understand I will be under Braverman's care for the first 14 weeks or so - at what point do I need to start seeing the OB and an MFM?

I am on a heavy immune suppression protocol (IVIG, prednisone, neupogen, lovenox, Humira), and I need to find the docs who will be supportive of my treatment and work with Braverman.

Thanks a lot!!!

Julia

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Crashing! I'm so happy for you. I love me some Braverman! I would ask him for a recommendation. I saw Kofinas who is a MFM and another OB who delivered. Kofinas only works with certain OBs.

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Congrats!

I think Braverman will suggest someone to you. I hear a lot of ladies on meds for immune issues go to Kofinas and then work with an OB he suggests.

I was on intralipids and prednisone when I was released from SIRM at 8 weeks. I went to my regular OB and they were fine with me continuing my meds- Prednisone I took until about 10 weeks I think and Intralipids until 16 weeks.

Best of luck!

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

dr kofinas in garden city! my OB was Jeff Miller (literally in the building next to Kofinas) and they work together. they are my "dream team" that brought my my DS after 3 losses and many failed cycles! good luck!

Re: immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Congrats!
I see Dr. Kofinas and my ob is Dr. Miller as well. He delivers at Winthrop though.

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Thanks so much, ladies!
When do I need to have this sorted out by, week wise? I emailed Braverman for some names, but I guess it's not a priority until we get a 6wk sono cleared.
how do things work with Kofinas insurance wise? He is out of network for my UHC PPO, so he will probably run up a Fortune :(
How does it work, how often and when would I start seeing each? kofinas doesn't deliver, right? How do they coordinate care?
I am a worrywart so I might be in the OB office pretty often, and a new driver to start with, so it should be logistically feasible, hence was looking for New Hyde Park Katz docs.
Thanks again!!!

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

I saw Kofinas once every two weeks until about 28-30 weeks, then we started going once a week. His nurses constantly send results and communicate with your OB. Kofinas does not deliver but he is a miracle worker and in my mind worth the money. If you have out of network coverage you would pay your deductible and then go on from there.

Re: immune-friendly MFM and OB?

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

thank you, Kiki!
could you please explain:
"They just accept whatever my insurance gives them and charge me a copayment based on what my insurance would charge for a specialist."?
what happens once i meet my OON deductible? With Braverman, i am paying 40% of whatever the negotiated rates are.

also, i dont know anything yet abot my pregnancy but my betas are kinda high so far (91 on 12dpo, 263 on 14dpo), so who knows... what would trigger seeing Kofinas earlier - multiples?

Message edited 10/15/2014 9:14:07 PM.

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

you can really switch to kofinas at any time. i left my RE at 8 weeks for kofinas. for baby #2, i'll go to kofinas even earlier just b/c i truly believe in his treatment and would want to be on his protocol right away. not only that but kofinas scans the baby SO much more thoroughly than most RE's have the equipment for.

same as what the other girls said regarding appointments...i saw kofinas every other week until 28 weeks. at that point though i was put on bedrest for a short cervix so i had to see him every week until i delivered. he is such a kind man and seriously a miracle worker so you just cannot be in better hands IMO. also, Miller is totally caring and reassuring and so chill (which i needed b/c i'm so paranoid when it comes to pregnancy). when my son was born, Miller took a pic of him right after he was delivered in the OR and text it to kofinas.....i thought that was so sweet :)

Re: immune-friendly MFM and OB?

Yes Multiples would definitely be a reason to see Kofinas earlier (without getting into detail, I was in this situation however I have a singleton now and there was some concern around a shortening cervix - but now I made it to 36w 4d and counting all thanks to him!). He is really my miracle worker - he tells it like it is and doesn't sugar coat which I like. He also is extremely caring - he even teared up in one of my appts with him. He is extremely passionate about what he does.

Dr Kofinas will submit whatever his rates are to my insurance and they pay him 65% (with 35% representing my coinsurance however Kofinas never bills me for the 35%). I had met my deductible for the year but I had heard that if you hadn't met your deductible they will work something out with you until you do meet the deductible. Also, instead of the 35% coinsurance I just pay a $35 copay every visit. I know he does that with a lot of patients too. You can probably call them and ask to speak with the lady there who verifies insurance - she will call your insurance company to verify benefits and then will work out a payment plan.

ETA if you call the office and explain your situation they will tell you when they want you to come in - when I explained mine they wanted me in ASAP and that was at 6 weeks.

Message edited 10/16/2014 11:36:30 AM.

immune-friendly MFM and OB?

thanks so much, Kiki - this sounds great!
will wait for my first ultrasound in 2 weeks before making any calls, silly but terrified of jinxing anything: )