A quick search for “fertility clinics in San Francisco” brings up a long list of options. When you’re already feeling overwhelmed, trying to figure out the “best” one can feel impossible, especially when you’re looking for advanced treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). How do you compare them? What really matters?
Most clinics offer a similar menu of services, but how they deliver that care, the expertise of their lab, and the transparency of their costs make all the difference. This guide is designed to help you ask the right questions and find the right fit.
What really matters when comparing SF fertility clinics?
| Comparison Category | What Patients Should Look For | Why It Matters for IVF Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| IVF Success Rates (Live Births) | Verified SART data, ideally shown by age group, using live birth per transfer or per retrieval. | Reflects the true chances of having a baby and allows for fair clinic-to-clinic comparisons. |
| Embryology Lab Quality | An on-site, modern lab with experienced embryologists, advanced incubators, and strict quality oversight. | The lab directly impacts embryo growth, thaw survival, and overall IVF outcomes. |
| Physician Expertise & Access | Board-certified reproductive endocrinologists who handle key milestones such as ultrasounds and monitoring visits. | Ongoing physician involvement often leads to more precise, personalized treatment decisions. |
| Range of Fertility Treatments | Options including testing, IUI, IVF, ICSI, preservation, genetic testing, donor pathways, and LGBTQ+ family-building. | A comprehensive clinic can recommend the least invasive—and most effective—path forward. |
| Cost Transparency & Insurance Support | A clear explanation of treatment costs, insurance coverage, financial counseling, and refund or flat-fee programs. | Upfront clarity reduces stress and helps patients understand their financial options early. |
| Patient Experience & Communication | Reviews, patient stories, and how updates, instructions, and results are communicated throughout care. | Compassionate communication helps patients feel supported and informed at every step. |
| Scheduling & Convenience | Early-morning monitoring, flexible appointment slots, telehealth access, and on-site procedures. | Convenience makes staying on track with treatment much more manageable. |
When you start comparing Bay Area IVF clinics, it’s easy to get lost in marketing. When you start to compare your options, the decision really comes down to three things:
1. How to read IVF success Rates (and what they don’t tell you)
This is the number one question, but it’s also the most confusing.
- Look for SART data: The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) is the official source. Clinics are required to report their data, but you should look for the final, verified data, not preliminary numbers.
- Look for “live birth rate,” not “pregnancy rate”: A “pregnancy rate” doesn’t mean a baby. You want to know the “live birth rate per embryo transfer” or “per retrieval.” This is the number that matters for your infertility treatment.
- Compare by age: A clinic’s overall success rate is less important than its success rate for your specific age group.
- Ask about the lab: A clinic’s success is directly tied to its embryology lab. A state-of-the-art lab with experienced embryologists is non-negotiable.
2. The doctors and the lab: Who is handling your care?
You are not a number, and your care shouldn’t feel like it. When researching fertility specialists in San Francisco, ask who will be managing your care.
- Will you see a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at every key appointment? This certification means they have the highest level of training to manage the full spectrum of reproductive health conditions, from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis to recurrent pregnancy loss.
- Who performs your ultrasounds — a physician or a technician? Seeing your physician for monitoring ultrasounds allows them to make real-time decisions about your cycle.
- Is the IVF lab on-site? Having to travel to a separate lab for your retrieval and transfer adds unnecessary stress during the most important steps of your care.
The quality of the fertility doctors and the lab is the single biggest factor in a clinic’s success.
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3. Do they offer a full range of fertility services?
A good clinic doesn’t push every patient into IVF. Your treatment plan should be personalized. Look for a clinic that offers a full range of services and will recommend the one that is right for you, not just the most expensive.
This includes:
- Comprehensive fertility testing
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Fertility preservation (egg, sperm, and embryo freezing)
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
- Inclusive family-building for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples
- Third-party reproduction services, including donor eggs (from an egg donation agency or a known donor) and gestational surrogacy
The RMA SoMa Difference
We built our SoMa clinic to be the answer to these questions. Our teams focus on providing transparent data and personalized, physician-led care.
One-on-One Patient Care
At RMA, your care is led by your physician. You will see your doctor for your key appointments, including your ultrasounds. Our team of board-certified fertility specialists, including Dr. Daniel Kaser, Dr. Sanaz Keyhan, Dr. Scott Morin, and Dr. Jonathan Kort, provides personalized care by designing a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs and medical history.
A State-of-the-Art Lab and Better Outcomes
Our cutting-edge on-site IVF lab is among the most advanced in Northern California. This is why our success rates are consistently above the national average. We are committed to data transparency. For example, our 2022 live birth rate for women under 35 was 77.4% compared to the 68.4% SART national average.
The Financial Side: Comparing Costs and Insurance Coverage
The cost of treatment in the Bay Area is a major source of stress. A single IVF cycle can range from $14,000 to $20,000, and insurance coverage can be confusing.
We have a dedicated financial team to help you navigate this. Before you ever commit to a treatment plan, one of our financial coordinators will be your personal guide. They’ll contact your insurance provider, verify your specific benefits, and lay out all your options in plain English.
We are in-network with most major providers, including Progyny, Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Shield. For patients who qualify, we also offer the CareShare 100% IVF Refund Program.
What Patients Are Saying: RMA SoMa Reviews
While RMA’s locations have been recognized as some of America’s Best Fertility Clinics by Newsweek, we know that finding the right clinic isn’t just about awards — it’s about how you’re treated on your journey. Patient reviews are a great way to understand what the experience at a clinic is really like.
Rebecca, one of our San Francisco patients, started her journey at a different clinic where she “did not feel at home.” After a family member recommended RMA, she and her husband made an appointment with Dr. Kaser. They “instantly felt a connection with him,” and their IVF cycle was a success.
“I’m so glad we tried so hard,” Rebecca says. “This is just such a gift, and it’s like the universe just aligned.”
Your Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Every Fertility Clinic
Use this checklist to help you compare your options:
- Is your IVF lab on-site?
- Are your success rates SART-verified?
- What are your live birth rates for my age group?
- Will I see a board-certified physician at every monitoring ultrasound?
- Who will be my main point of contact?
- Do you offer flexible scheduling, like early morning or evening appointments?
- Do you offer telehealth appointments?
- Will you check my insurance coverage for me before I start?
- Do you offer any flat-fee or refund programs, like CareShare?
- Do you provide a full range of services, including IUI and genetic testing?
Ready to start the conversation?
Choosing a partner for your fertility journey is a huge decision. We’d like to invite you to learn more about our approach.
Book an informational session with our San Francisco Bay Area care team today. You can also call us directly to schedule your first new patient appointment: 866-762-3140.
