Dr. Harry H. Hatasaka
Joins Reproductive Care Center

Reproductive Care Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Harry H. Hatasaka to our medical staff.  Dr. Hatasaka will join Dr. James S. Heiner and Dr. Keith L. Blauer in providing excellent care to married couples in need of advanced reproductive technology (ART).

Dr. Hatasaka has an excellent reputation as a board certified reproductive endocrinologist and served as the medical director of the IVF program at the University of Utah from 1994 until 2009.

Dr. Hatasaka graduated from Stanford University in biology and earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia.  He completed his residency at Case Western Reserve University in obstetrics and gynecology and joined the faculty as a general obstetrician gynecologist.  Dr. Hatasaka completed his fellowship with Dr Leon Speroff at Case Western Reserve University and Northwestern University in Chicago.

Dr. Hatasaka joined the faculty at the University of Utah in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility in 1991.  He became the interim Medical Director of the Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine in 1994 and assumed the Medical Directorship in 1997.  While at the University of Utah, Dr. Hatasaka published a number of scientific papers and chapters in the field of reproductive medicine with a focus on anatomical anomalies of the reproductive tract involved in infertility.  Clinically he maintained an active infertility practice with an interest and emphasis on the efficient diagnosis of infertility problems and the most cost-effective treatment plans to employ.  He also has a special interest in caring for women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome.

Dr. Hatasaka has served on the Practice Committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, a committee charged with developing written guidelines and educational bulletins for the society’s membership which includes an international family of reproductive endocrinologists, reproductive nurses and urologists. 

He has given countless lectures regarding reproductive medicine to medical students, residents and fellows as well as nursing organizations, obstetrician gynecologists, and other reproductive endocrinologists.

Dr. Hatasaka cherishes his interaction with patients in helping to educate and to find the best solutions for their reproductive dilemmas.  He looks forward to being able to give his undivided attention to patient care at the Reproductive Care Center.

Insurance and Infertility

"Insurance" and "Infertility". In the Intermountain region these two words usually do not go hand in hand. But knowing what to ask when calling to verify your benefits is the key to understanding exactly what your insurance will cover for infertility.

Most insurance companies will cover testing to diagnosis the cause(s) of infertility! Yes you read that right. This means that usually the initial consultation, blood work to determine hormone levels, a diagnostic ultrasound and a detailed semen analysis (Kruger strict morphology) will all be covered. The key to knowing is asking the right questions.

We have compiled a list of key questions when calling the insurance company:

1. Do I have benefits that include diagnostic testing for infertility?
2. Do I have infertility benefits to cover Artificial Insemination?
3. If I need to undergo In vitro-Fertilization, will it be covered under my health policy?
4. Do I have infertility benefits to cover sperm injection (ICSI), embryo cryopreservation and frozen embryo transfer?
5. What is my deductible for these services?
6. Do I have coverage for oral fertility medications such as clomiphene citrate?
7. Do I have coverage for injectable fertility medications such as FSH (Bravelle, Gonal-F, and Follistim)?
8. Do I have a copay for an office visit?
9. Do I have a copay for procedures related to infertility treatment?
10. What is my co-insurance amount?
11. Is there a limit to the number of visits allowed?
12. Is there a dollar limit to my infertility benefits?
13. Do I need pre-authorization prior to diagnostic or therapeutic services?
14. Is the doctor that I'm scheduled to see a contracted provider?
15. Do I have both in network and out of network benefits? If so, what is the difference in benefits?

If you'd like assistance verifying your benefits, you can call Fertility LifeLines™ at 1-866-LETS-TRY (1-866-538-7879) or visit their Website at www.fertilitylifelines.com. for further information and to obtain examples of letters that could be sent to your insurance benefits advisor so that you can "get it in writing". Many pharmacies will help you verify benefits regarding infertility medications.

If you have waited for an appointment due to lack of coverage, call your insurance company and check for diagnostic care coverage. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the answer! We look forward to scheduling you new patient consultation.

We are currently working to obtain preferred provider status for Dr. Hatasaka with the same insurance companies as Dr. Blauer and Dr. Heiner.  We appreciate your patience.

By Kelly Sorrell, RCC Insurance Benefits Specialist   Billing@FertilityDr.com