SPECIFICALLY for Dr. Fahimeh Sasan (NPI 1306005145)
I had a…read moreterrible experience with Dr. Sasan during what was supposed to be an initial consultation regarding my Kindbody benefits and fertility treatment options. She was condescending, dismissive, and made me feel incredibly uncomfortable throughout our discussion. To make matters worse, I was charged $1,300 for a 30-minute consultation that I was required to complete simply to access my Kindbody fertility benefits. My Kindbody Patient Care Navigator specifically instructed me that the first step was to schedule a 1:1 virtual consultation with a fertility specialist pasted verbatim:
"The following items are the first steps in using your benefit: SCHEDULE a visit with a fertility specialist: Schedule a 1:1 30-minute virtual consultation with our fertility expert to address your personal needs! "
After some time, I was notified of an outstanding bill - reviewed the invoice on KindBody, which stated:
"Employer Initial Consult and Work-Up - Initial consult to include up to 3 visits, 3 ultrasounds, and lab work (SIS)."
However, my insurance claim showed Dr. Sasan billed me as a non-participating provider even though this was a mandatory consultation required to use my Kindbody benefits. The claim included the note:
"Y838 - NON-PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS MAY BILL THE MEMBER FOR CHARGES (Y838)."
How can a physician representing Kindbody bill patients directly as a non-participating provider for a required appointment and worse charge $1300 for 30-minutes? This raises serious ethical and financial concerns.
For perspective, my new physician, also a Kindbody partner but is NOT affiliated with Dr. Sasan's group, charged $250 for a 45-minute consultation (which extended to an hour and a half) where he billed my insurance, not me. He was compassionate and data-driven, reviewed my health history, discussed egg and embryo freezing, analyzed fertility statistics, addressed blood type and male fertility, plus many more topics, and welcomed all questions.
By contrast with Dr. Sasan, none of those topics above were even discussed. I had explained that I'd been proactive with NAC, Myo & D-Chiro Inositol, prenatal vitamins, and a Mediterranean diet, she interrupted me to say prenatal vitamins "don't matter" until pregnancy and that "nothing I was doing mattered because my eggs were already accounted for." I knew immediately this was false.
What's even more concerning is that Kindbody's own website states:
"General recommendations to optimize preconception health include: Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. NOTE: Please discuss exercise with the Kindbody healthcare team to determine if any modifications are needed during fertility treatment or pregnancy. All people who may potentially become pregnant should take a daily prenatal vitamin before and during pregnancy. Extra folic acid (in addition to a prenatal vitamin) may be recommended for some patients - please discuss this with your Kindbody provider."
Dr. Sasan made matters worse by pressuring me to freeze my eggs immediately, saying I was "running out of time" and "could not wait until next year," despite never reviewing a single lab result, hormone panel, or any medical history as it was never requested nor did I provide any medical history or data. So Dr. Sasan made assumptions . That kind of generalized, fear-based advice is deeply unprofessional and not patient-centered.
When I mentioned her office was nearly two hours away and that I preferred a provider closer to my location, she rushed to end the call, saying someone would contact me. No empathy, no curiosity, no genuine concern just a dismissal.
Feeling uneasy, I later met with my new MD from Kindbody's provider list who confirmed her statements were misinformed. He explained that prenatal vitamins, nutrition, and exercise are vital for fertility and egg quality, especially for women in their mid-to-late 30s and 40s, and that no doctor can predict success or failure without data. His approach was transparent and compassionate and the complete opposite of my experience with Dr. Sasan.
Out of curiosity, I later scheduled another Kindbody fertility preservation consultation and the confirmation stated:
"No charges will occur until the time of your appointment. We accept most insurances and HSA/FSA for eligible services. If you do not have insurance, the cost for your first visit will be $300, due at the time of your appointment."
Making Dr. Sasan's $1,300 direct charge even more questionable.
Dr. Sasan made me feel devalued, unheard, and taken advantage of. I would never recommend Dr. Sasan or her affiliated practice to anyone seeking compassionate, evidence-based fertility care.
Practice Details listed on my insurance claim:
Kindbody - Empire Medical Practice, PC
Clinic Location: Virtual
Rendering Provider: Dr. Fahimeh Sasan
NPI: 1306005145