Columbia Fertility Associates

I was referred to CFA by a friend who conceived with her daughter on the first try with Dr. Rifka. Dr. Rifka was very nice and even when I wanted to go rougue and start to up my dosage of meds so that it can happen faster, he kept me grounded. I will say, during my time trying to conceive through IUI he was always out when it was time to do it. However, I saw Dr. Sachs twice and he was super duper nice, explained everything, and remembered things about me after our chats. My nurse, Heather, was so nice and so responsive that I’m not sure why there are so many negative comments about communication. Every time I took any kind of test, I got a call between 1pm and 3pm like clockwork! The Phlebotomist, as she looks disinterested, she’s really not. I hate needles and she was so funny and made me feel like a big baby every time it came time to see her. The prices are reasonable and I’m happy to say I’m expecting my first child in December at age 40!!! My other friend had her first child at 40 who went to CFA a few months ago, and I referred 2 friends (one for timed intercourse and one for IVF) who are currently seeing doctors there as well. So far, they have no complaints.

Extremely expensive and recommends several treatments one may not need. Poor customer and billing service

Dr. Butler is a great doctor. For the first time we visited his office, he spent a lot of time explaining the whole fertility procedure, answering our questions, and using some analogies to help us to understand easily. We trust him. He is very practical, honest, patient, caring and understanding who I feel, he always focus on the root of our problem, and keep trying with us. My husband and I can’t thank him enough for all his assistance. Though we are not successful yet after 3 egg retrievals so far, we will keep trying with him.

Dr. Sacks is knowledgable, caring and warm. He is responsive to questions via email and is willing to schedule face to face time to discuss matters. The staff at the office is lacking in organization and follow through, which is critical to trying to make a baby. Despite this drawback, I still believe it is one of the best infertility clinics in the DC metro area.

I am really really upset today. After 5 months of taking pills to lower thyroid and prolactin, I found out (after calling for several days), that my levels are exactly the same as when I started. According to the doctor, I have no known problem and I should do IUI, because if the problem where my hormones, I would be pregnant by now… really? Because the results show that my hormone levels haven’t changed AT ALL since we started… despite the medication. And one other question… when are you going to call me and let me know that the medication is not working? Really upset. I wish I could give no star at all.

I cannot weigh in on the fertility treatment side of this practice, but as a general gynecologist Dr. Butler is great. Courteous, efficient, and professional.

I’ve been going to CFA for over 10 years. Dr. Butler got me pregnant with twins on my first attempt. The pregnancy eventually failed, but to no fault to anyone. When I finally gave up trying to conceive, I told Dr. Butler i wanted to adopt. Dr. Butler did all of my adoption paperwork and even hand carried it to his bank to get it notarized (at his expense). I continue to see Dr. Butler for other things other than fertility. As luck would have it, after I adopted my beautiful daughter in 2006, I became accidentally became pregnant a few years later. I ran straight to Dr. Butler who confirmed my pregnancy and saw me through until he later transferred me to a high risk doctor. I love Dr. Butler and I’m really surprised about all the bad reviews. I never had a billing issue with them at all. But with regards to billing, it all depends on who is the «biller» and if they know the correct codes.

Just so poor in customer service. A week since my consultation when I had tests done. I was told I would get results same day and yet I have left three messages and not received a call back. How inconsiderate that you would put patients through this?! It is discourteous and anxiety causing. Not at all impressed and will be moving elsewhere.

I completely concur with the other negative reviews. While the doctors there are great the rest of the staff is terrible. The billing department is by far the least professional of the departments, then the reception staff who clearly believe you are interrupting their day with a call or a question– at least that’s how they make you feel, then the nurses one who left me in the exam room my first cycle and locked the door ready to leave for the day without checking on me, to the other nurse who never returned my call. The staff that take blood are great! There was one gentlemen that worked at the reception desk that was helpful, but I have already NOT recommended this practice to two other women as there are much much better options for the thousands of dollars you will get ready to spend. I have also reported to my very competent OB/​GYN– do not send patients here. This is by far one of the more emotional and important journeys of your life, trust it to a group of professionals who care to get it right– now the Columbia Fertility mill !!! read the rest of the negative reviews and think three, four and five times before you sign up with these guys. Go someplace more professional and caring!

Dr. Rifka is awesome! We had lots of issues with other fertility centers, but dr. Rifka helped us get pregnant on the first try. Great service. Friendly staff. And most importantly incredibly supportive, kind and understanding. Nothing but positives here.

Horrible! Dr. Sacks is so nice and reels you in. Spent almost $ 40k on egg donation IVF and ended up with zero viable embryos, even though my husband has a perfect 6 year old from a previous marriage. We got lots of eggs, but turns out none of them were good because they «overcooked» or over medicated the donor. All it takes is one day and it can ruin everything. They said there was a 10% chance that could happen and other than that-​no explanation. Then I went to wonderful Dr. DiMatttina at Dominion-​they are the experts. Ended up with 12 perfect embryos and currently pregnant! Say no to Columbia and Yes to Dominion!

I went to them for 3 years and not only were the staff really cold, but the follow up was so bad. I had to call my doctor to hear what was the reason for many failed tries. its was sooooo poor don’t put yourself through this. I had Dr. Rifka who was nice but that is all he was, nice. he had no interest in the procedure or interest to talk through the situation. Just go to shady grove and save yourself a lot of frustration.

Stay away from this place! they are the worst. They bill you for the services they do not perform and than you spend months on the phone with them trying to proof that they did not perform those services. They also do not bill insurance companies even through they accept them. The last thing you want to deal with is hours of fighting with their billing department when you are trying to get pregnant. The entire place is very unprofessional with a lot of hidden charges and fees. The dr also automatically assumed what my treatment should be prior to even having any tests performed. i am surprised they are in business. Stay Away!

Although Dr. Sacks is a very nice doctor and is very skilled, STAY AWAY from this office. The office staff is terrible. They were rude and disorganized. I came to them and our 3 IUI’s and first IVF round was unsuccessful. As you can imagine, starting another round was hard to get my head around but we were going to proceed. We trusted Dr. Sacks. I show up to start and was told I had to pay up front over 10K. I was stunned b/​c we have insurance that covers this and no one said anything before hand. After waiting around for an hour, I was able to speak to financial aid who explained that they had me and my paper work mixed up with someone elses. So I was able to proceed after all. I should have gone with my gut and left but I trusted this was just an honest mistake. After two other office mix ups and having a test run that was unnecessary because they again mixed up who I was, I had enough. We finished the cycle with them — again unsuccessful — and moved the remaining embryos to another fertility clinic in the area. After I left, I got a bill for thousands of dollars that took me 2 years to resolve. It was a nightmare!

This review is limited to testing and treatment for fibroids. Dr. Rifka has been fantastic. After many years of seeing over 4 doctors with no diagnosis or misdiagnosis and horrible treatment I finally found a doc who was able to perform the tests/​examinations and explain in great detail all my options and the pros and cons of each. For each appointment he sees me in his office before and after to explain what’s going on. I also had an HSG performed by Dr. Butler who was very gentle and eased my anxiety prior to and during the procedure. I’ve decided to have a myomectomy performed by Dr. Sarhan and I will meet with her this upcoming week. I will post a review on her services after the consult and surgery. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a successful procedure. The staff can be hit or miss but I’m able to always get an appointment within a few days and if I want to speak directly to Dr. Rifka I can or he will return my call within 24 hours max.

I am shocked this place gets any positive reviews at all. The doctors seem good, but then with out results that’s hard to say.
The staff is the worst I’ve ever dealt with. The stress caused my wife and I to give up. This is breaks my heart, but I understand after the months and months of arguing with this staff over billing and procedures. Who wants to go to a doctors office where your having invasive procedures done and you feel like the staff is out to do you harm. No way — stay away from this place and you’ll be happier in the end, no matter what that end is.

The negative reviews surprise me too. For the most part, my experiences with CFA were really good. The staff were friendly and my Dr. (Dr. Butler) was great. The billing staff SUCKED and always have. I had two children with their assistance when I was in my early 40’s. I was not turned away or discouraged because of my age. The process is difficult and emotionally charged and with the exception of the billing department, I always felt supported and my Dr. and nurses where always available to talk with me when I needed.

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS OFFICE TO ANYONE.
When I called to make an appointment with Columbia Fertility Associates (CFA), the woman who answered the phone was friendly and answered all my questions patiently. The day of our appointment, my husband and I were treated with respect and left feeling hopeful. Ten days later, I met with my OB/​GYN and he still hadn’t received the test results. It’s now two days shy of three months later and we still haven’t received the results.
I completely agree with the other reviews: The CFA billing department is HORRIBLE. They rarely answer the phone, and although the voicemail greeting states that calls will be returned within 24 – 48 hours, don’t bet on it — I waited over a week. I have been in a mess with their billing department for well over two months now because they billed us for the wrong test, and they refuse to put a note on our account to NOT send the bill to collections despite my many attempts to rectify the situation. My husband even receives automated messages telling him to pay the bill. The woman in billing is very rude and unwilling to help, and we haven’t had any luck with her supervisor, either. We now have to get our doctor’s office involved because we have to provide CFA with a copy of our referral to prove that they performed a test we did not request.
(In)Fertility is so emotional and CFA has just added stress to our lives. They made a mistake and we are paying for it. I would NEVER recommend this office to anyone. Don’t waste your time.

I’m also surprised at the negative reviews. My wife and I were referred to Dr. Sacks by two other couples who were successful conceiving by way of CFA’s consultations. We were in our late 30s and had trouble ourselves. We now have two children by IVF thanks to Dr. Sacks and his staff. It wasn’t quick or easy, but I have to concur with the positive reviews here that staff are knowledgeable and compassionate. We have referred other couples to CFA who have also been successful.

This review is for their rude staff, and TERRIBLE billing practices
Phone calls about their over billing never get returned, calls to the office manager to try and fix, returned over a WEEK later after I left many messages. Billing manager actually hung up on me one time!!!
Seriously, their services might be fine, but the headache that goes with ths place is NOT worth it