As a vasectomy provider, I often hear about the challenges patients face when trying to schedule a consultation or procedure. Recently, I decided to step into their shoes and experience the process firsthand. Even though I’ve already had a vasectomy, I conducted a little “mystery shopping” to see what it’s like to navigate the system. Here’s what I discovered after attempting to schedule a vasectomy with two large, well-known university-based hospital systems (I won’t name any names, but let’s just say they have a pretty big basketball rivarly).
The Vasectomy Scheduling Process: A Test of Patience
I contacted both the urology and family medicine departments of these systems, using their publicly available phone numbers and online chat tools. My goal was simple: see how easy or difficult it would be to get accurate information and schedule a visit. However, what I thought would be a straightforward task quickly turned into an exercise in persistence.
- Phone Prompts and Chat Bots: Navigating through various phone prompts and chat bots felt like being trapped in a maze. Options were often unclear or irrelevant, and I found myself redirected multiple times.
- Lengthy Wait Times: In total, I spent over an hour on the phone, often waiting on hold for extended periods. On two occasions, I had to hang up and call back after being placed on endless hold.
- Scheduling Delays: The average wait time for a urology-based consultation was 4-6 months (note that procedures are scheduled months later). For family medicine practices, the average wait was 2-8 weeks for a consultation.
Key Takeaways from trying to schedule a vasectomy with other local providers
- Too Complex: The systems in place are often too complicated for patients seeking something as routine as a vasectomy. The sheer number of steps to reach the right person creates unnecessary frustration.
- Mandatory In-Person Consultations: All practices required an in-person consultation before scheduling a procedure, further delaying access. As is clear from the thousands of patients seen at His Choice clinics, consultations are almost always unnecessary.
- Referral Requirements: Several offices required a referral from a primary care provider. Why is a referral necessary for an elective, reproductive health procedure in this modern age of videos and an ability to share information on the web?
- Lack of Pricing Transparency: None of the clinics could provide any information about pricing. Responses included, “We need your insurance information,” and “We do not have a cash price.”
- Limited Knowledge: The individuals answering the phones were unable to provide specific information about the procedure, such as:
- Whether a no-needle, no-scalpel technique was used.
- Whether the procedure would involve a training doctor or medical student (and would this lead to a different experience for the patient).
- Pain expectations or details about the recovery process.
The His Choice Durham Chapel Hill Difference
At His Choice Vasectomy in Durham Chapel Hill, we pride ourselves on making the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. Here’s how we do things differently:
- Clear information on our website: We carefully designed our website to have everything you need to learn about and schedule a procedure. 95% of our patients never need to call or do anything other than our web resources. Of course if you would like to speak to staff or have any specific questions, we are immediately available by phone or email.
- Transparent Information: We provide clear, upfront details about the procedure, costs, and what to expect. Here is our pricing information.
- No Referral Required: You won’t need a referral from a primary care provider to schedule your procedure.
- Patient-Centered Care: Our focus is on making you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. All of our procedures are done by a fellowship trained reproductive health specialist, Dr. Matthew Zerden. While we respect the training process and all providers need to learn, you will not have any learners in your procedure.
- Direct Communication: When you contact us, you’ll hear directly from a knowledgeable staff member who can answer your questions.
At His Choice Durham Chapel Hill, we respect you. We know that 98% of men don’t need a consultation visit that wastes your time and money. That is why we don’t require a consultation visit unless you have medical complications. We respect your time, which is why all of our information is easily accessible on our website, including the consent form, videos, and the ability to schedule directly into an appointment slot. We respect your finances, which is why we have a transparent pricing system that is the same for everyone. You can use your insurance—here are the details on how we handle insurance.
Bottom line: we deeply respect all the vasectomy providers in the area, but most make it so much more difficult than it needs to be. Read our reviews—they are the unedited words of our patients. Here are a few from recent week:
“Dr. Z was great. Was a much better option for me than having to wait a few months and have multiple appointments. Appreciated the speed and efficiency of the whole process. Highly recommend!”
“Dr Zerden was exceptional and the procedure was quick and easy. They got me in almost immediately where everyone else had months wait time. I highly recommend His Choice to anyone considering this procedure. 5 star service and care!”
“I recently had a vasectomy performed by Dr. Zerden, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the entire experience…. Dr. Zerden was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to answer all my questions and put my mind at ease.
The procedure went smoothly, and I appreciated the clear post-operative instructions. I experienced minimal discomfort, and the recovery process was much easier than I anticipated.
I highly recommend Dr. Zerden to anyone considering this procedure. His expertise and genuine care for his patients truly set him apart. Thank you, Dr. Zerden for your excellent care!”
We will do everything we can to create the same experience for you.
Why This Matters
For many men, a vasectomy is a big decision. The process of scheduling and preparing for the procedure shouldn’t add unnecessary stress. My mystery shopping experience reinforced the importance of creating a patient-centered approach that prioritizes accessibility, clarity, and compassion.
If you’re considering a vasectomy, we’re here to help. At His Choice Vasectomy, we’ve streamlined the process to ensure your experience is as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Check out our website to see the difference for yourself.
