How do you make sense of something as overwhelming and mysterious as infertility? For most of us, there usually isn’t a single moment where our reproductive endocrinologist solves the equation like Dr. Gregory House from the TV show House. Instead, our journeys are often filled with recurring failures, unanswered questions, and countless appointments all in the search of the right combination of hormones, drugs, and luck. 

Unfortunately, for some people, their journey continues and requires the use of surrogates to help them achieve their dream of having a child, which presents additional challenges and obstacles that must be overcome. However, there are some resources out there that are designed to help make different aspects of the journey a little easier to navigate. Jessie and Surrogacy Simplified is one of these difference makers and it is why we at Grain Fertility have teamed up with Surrogacy Simplified to help inform intended parents and surrogates of their rights as patients, help you feel as supported as possible, and provide ways you can use your information to increase your chance of success.

Why Organization and Navigation Assistance is so Important

Studies show that patients who are active participants in their care, access their records, and communicate with their doctors have better perceived outcomes, are more satisfied with their care, and can become key stakeholders in the development of better care delivery. Organization and Navigation assistance, such as coaching and working with experts, can also help make the process less stressful and more efficient, which can save time and money. 

As a patient undergoing fertility treatment and using a surrogate, you know how hard it can be to access and find all of the records you are required to submit as part of the process. You want to make sure all of your doctors, including your primary care physician, OB/GYN, your Reproductive Endocrinologist, and other specialists know what is going on, but you are not sure they are talking. You can help yourself by becoming a better patient advocate and drive this information sharing through access to your records, enshrined in the law, and using apps which are designed to help you put everything in one place and connect you with tools you need to become a more empowered advocate for your own care. 

Understanding Your Rights as a Patient

Like in business, in order to make the best decisions, you need to have access to as much information as possible. For intended parents and surrogates, this means having and understanding your health records and any insurance/ billing information. It is important to know your rights as a patient and the process for getting your health information from your doctors. As a patient, you have the right to access your health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information. It gives patients the right to access their health information, as well as the right to request corrections to that information if it is incorrect. HIPAA also requires healthcare providers and other covered entities to provide patients with a notice of privacy practices that outlines how their health information is used and disclosed. This information includes medical records, lab results, and other health information related to your care. 

HIPAA regulations specifically say an individual has the right under the Privacy Rule to request and have a covered health care provider communicate with him or her by alternative means or at alternative locations, if reasonable. This means you have the legal right to get your information sent to you when you want it. Next time a doctor tells you they cannot send you something you ask for because of HIPAA, you can point them to guidance and ask them to provide you with the information you want by the means you request.

What to Do With the Information When You Have It?

Getting and using your information is not meant to supplant your doctor’s role or have you second guess everything they do. Instead, becoming a better self-advocate for your care amplifies the doctor patient relationship by enhancing communication and making sure you are on the same page. Studies have shown that patients that access their health information have a perceived enhanced communication with their doctors and health team, better appointment recall, and more prepared for upcoming appointments. 

With access to your information, you can start to review information to make sure it is correct. One study found that 1 in 5 patients who read a clinical note in their records reported finding a mistake and 40% perceived the mistake as serious. If you do find something that is wrong, you have the legal right under HIPAA to ask for a correction from your doctor and it is important to do so. Doctors can only make decisions based on the information they have, so it is important to know it is correct. 

Tips for Organizing and Navigating Your Journey

1. Gain Confidence by Asking Questions: Access to your information can help you ask questions to your care team to help ensure you are confident in understanding what is going on, why decisions are made, and what happens next. We did not go to medical school for years and it is ok to acknowledge that we do not know everything. However, it is important that we feel comfortable and confident with the information we have. A surrogate guide like Jessie or a Patient Empowerment Coach offered through Grain Fertility can help you and your surrogate put together a list of questions for different parts of the process, tailored to the things you want to best understand. 

2. Keep Your Records In An Easy To Access Place: Having your and your surrogate’s records readily available can help you save time and make better decisions. Ready access can keep things moving along faster when you are inevitably asked for information. It can help your team of healthcare providers make informed decisions about your care, avoid redundant testing, and reduce the likelihood of medical errors. It can help track progress and monitor changes in your health over time, giving you and your doctor a better understanding of what is working and what is not. It is important to balance the desire for constant updates with your mental health however. Information overload can become overwhelming so always make sure to check in with yourself to make sure you are doing ok. 

3.  Find Your Support System: Infertility is overwhelming and we often find ourselves struggling to manage the physical, emotional, and financial aspects of the process. Surrogacy adds extra elements to this process as intended parents and surrogates both go through everything. It is important to find support, including emotionally through therapy or coaching and medically through access to experts who can help you understand the confusing aspects of this complex process. Surrogacy Simplied and Grain Fertility both can help connect you to whatever resources and experts you need. 

How Can Grain Fertility Help Intended Parents and Surrogates?

1. Organized and Access: Your and Your Surrogate’s Information: Grain Fertility is designed to help you keep everything you need in one place. You are in control of what goes into the application and you have the ability to organize it any way you like. Using our intuitive search function, anytime you need to quickly recall something, you can easily find and share it with whomever you need. This makes it easier than ever for you, your surrogate, and your care team to have the information you need, when you need it. 

2. Fertility Navigation Services: We have Patient Empowerment Coaches with years of medical experience working at top fertility clinics available to help answer any questions you or your surrogate may have. They can provide you with specific guides and resources to help wherever you are in your journey and are there to help you feel more comfortable and confident in the choices you make with your care team. 

3. Connect You with Experts: Our team has worked in the fertility industry for a long time, from both the patient and provider side, which gives us the unique ability to connect you with experts in the field and exclusive benefits. We can help ensure you have what you need to make you feel as comfortable as possible and maximize your chances of success. 

If you are curious about how Grain Fertility can help you on your journey, try out our patient empowerment application and fertility navigation services today with a risk-free two week trial by going to www.grainfertility.com. 

We are proud to work with Jessie and Surrogacy Simplified to help make your journey as easy as possible. If there is anything we can do for you, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] today.