Fertility Services: Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine

I went to Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine (UCRM) for a micro-TESE procedure, trusting that it was part of UnitedHealthcare’s (UHC) Center of Excellence (COE) fertility program—the only COE for fertility care in the state. I did everything correctly: I got prior authorization, I followed UHC’s guidance, and I went where I was told. Yet, due to a billing technicality that was never disclosed to me, I was left with thousands in unexpected medical bills. What Happened? • UCRM Billed My Procedure Under the Wrong Tax ID – Instead of billing under UCRM’s COE tax ID, they billed it under UofU Health’s general tax ID, which meant UHC refused to process the claim under COE benefits. • I Was Never Told This Would Happen – At no point before my surgery was I informed that my procedure would not actually be processed under COE benefits despite being performed at the COE facility. • As a Result, My Insurance Paid Less, and I Was Stuck with the Bill – Because of this billing issue, UHC did not cover my procedure at the 90% in-network rate I was promised. Instead, they processed it at standard in-network rates, leaving me with a final bill far more than the $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum I should have paid under COE benefits. • Naviguard Tried to Negotiate, But UCRM Refused – When UHC’s bill negotiation service attempted to work with the provider, UCRM declined to negotiate the charges, leaving me fully responsible for the remaining balance. Why This Matters This experience has been incredibly frustrating, not just financially but also emotionally. Just two months after my fertility treatment, my wife was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, leading to chemotherapy, amputation, and ongoing complications. On top of that devastating news, I was forced to fight an unnecessary billing battle that could have been avoided if UCRM had been transparent about their insurance practices. If UCRM cannot bill male fertility procedures under COE benefits, patients deserve to know that BEFORE undergoing treatment. I was given no warning that the billing structure for male infertility treatments at UCRM is different, even though I asked all the right questions beforehand. Final Thoughts If you are a male fertility patient, be extremely cautious about how UCRM handles billing. • Ask explicitly whether your procedure will be billed under the COE tax ID. • Demand written confirmation of coverage BEFORE moving forward with treatment. I hope UCRM takes steps to fix this lack of transparency because no fertility patient should have to go through this financial nightmare.

Doctor and nurses introduce themselves. They carefully inform each procedure before they perform the procedure. And ask you if you have any questions. Properly making sure you understand.

Doctor and nurses introduce themselves. They carefully inform each procedure before they perform the procedure. And ask you if you have any questions. Properly making sure you understand.

Dr. Letourneau is wonderful. We have our little boy because of the u of u reproductive center.

She (my doctor) was very thoughtful and; caring! She understood the situation and urgency and was able to help me with a solution without having me wait months