Shared Journey Fertility Program Policies
Program Agreement, Payment Policy & Terms of Care
Read Our Policy Agreement Below
Our Commitment
The Shared Journey Fertility Program is designed to support women and couples in their efforts to achieve pregnancy through Mercier Therapy®, individualized reproductive wellness guidance, cycle monitoring, and ongoing support.
Our primary goal is to help patients achieve pregnancy while providing compassionate, individualized care throughout their fertility journey.
The following policy outlines the services included in the program, payment requirements, program duration, pregnancy completion, early pregnancy care, postpartum care, and re-enrollment following miscarriage.
1. What Is Included in the Shared Journey Fertility Program
The program includes the following services:
Mercier Therapy® Sessions
Six one-hour Mercier Therapy® sessions, generally scheduled over six consecutive weeks.
Individualized hands-on visceral manipulation intended to address pelvic mobility and restrictions.
Ongoing evaluation of pelvic mobility throughout the treatment series.
Fertility Assessment & Cycle Monitoring
Comprehensive review of reproductive health history and previous fertility testing.
Three months of menstrual cycle charting and luteinizing hormone (LH) monitoring following completion of the hands-on sessions.
Review of cycle patterns, ovulation timing, and reproductive hormone results when appropriate.
Monthly follow-up appointments to review progress and provide individualized recommendations.
Supplement & Hormonal Support
An initial round of individualized supplements and bioidentical hormone support, when appropriate, generally covering approximately three menstrual cycles.
Recommendations based on individual reproductive health needs.
Coordination with our nurse practitioner when laboratory testing, prescriptions, or additional medical evaluation is necessary.
Educational Materials & Communication
A fertility cycle journal.
Program-related email support for up to one year from the program start date, unless the program is completed earlier through pregnancy.
Coordination with reproductive endocrinologists or other fertility specialists when IUI or IVF becomes necessary.
Additional testing, imaging, medications, outside specialist appointments, and services not expressly included in the program may require separate payment.
2. Payment Policy
Payment for the Shared Journey Fertility Program is due in full on the first day of the program.
The program is purchased as a comprehensive package of services and support rather than as individual appointments or monthly services.
By enrolling, the patient acknowledges that payment is required in full at the start of the program, regardless of how quickly pregnancy is achieved.
The full payment obligation is not dependent upon pregnancy outcomes or the number of months required to achieve pregnancy.
3. Program Duration & Completion
The Shared Journey Fertility Program provides up to one year of fertility-related support beginning on the patient's official program start date.
The primary goal of the program is to achieve pregnancy.
If pregnancy is achieved before the end of the one-year period, we consider this an accomplishment of the program's primary goal, and the program is considered complete.
The program is considered complete when either of the following occurs:
The patient achieves a positive pregnancy test.
One year has elapsed from the official program start date.
Once pregnancy is achieved, the remaining months of fertility monitoring and program-related support do not carry forward.
Early pregnancy care and any remaining postpartum Mercier Therapy® sessions are handled according to the provisions outlined below.
4. Pregnancy During the Initial Six Mercier Therapy® Sessions
If pregnancy is achieved during the initial six Mercier Therapy® sessions, the remaining unused sessions will be reserved for use during the postpartum period.
These sessions are intended to support the mother's postpartum recovery and address pelvic mobility and restrictions following childbirth.
There is no additional cost for these remaining postpartum sessions.
The Shared Journey Fertility Program is considered complete upon achievement of pregnancy; however, the patient retains access to any unused sessions from the original six-session series for postpartum care.
Postpartum sessions will be scheduled when medically appropriate, following clearance from the patient's obstetrical provider when indicated.
5. Early Pregnancy Care
When pregnancy is achieved, Dr. Mercier will continue to provide early pregnancy guidance and coordinate with the nurse practitioner or obstetrical provider, as appropriate, to establish an individualized early pregnancy care plan.
There is no additional cost associated with early pregnancy care provided by Dr. Mercier as part of this transition.
Early pregnancy support may include reviewing relevant information, providing recommendations, and assisting with coordination of care.
Services provided by outside healthcare professionals, including laboratory testing, imaging, prescriptions, and obstetrical appointments, may be billed separately by those providers.
Early pregnancy support does not extend or restart the original Shared Journey Fertility Program.
6. Miscarriage & Reenrollment Policy
We understand that miscarriage is an incredibly difficult and emotional experience. We approach every patient and family experiencing pregnancy loss with compassion, sensitivity, and respect.
It is important, however, to clearly define the structure of the Shared Journey Fertility Program.
Once pregnancy has been achieved, the program is considered complete, regardless of how much time remains within the original one-year period.
If a pregnancy subsequently ends in miscarriage and the patient wishes to begin the Shared Journey Fertility Program again, this constitutes a new enrollment.
A new enrollment requires:
Beginning a new Shared Journey Fertility Program.
Entering into a new program agreement.
Payment of the full program fee at the start of the new program.
Unused months from the previous program cannot be transferred to a new enrollment or applied toward a new program.
The original program fee cannot be credited toward a subsequent program.
A new treatment plan will be established based on the patient's individual circumstances and reproductive health needs.
7. Pregnancy Outcomes & Limitations
Mercier Therapy® and the Shared Journey Fertility Program are intended to support reproductive wellness and fertility care.
While achieving pregnancy is the program's primary goal, pregnancy cannot be guaranteed.
Individual outcomes depend on multiple factors, including age, ovarian reserve, sperm parameters, reproductive anatomy, hormonal function, underlying medical conditions, and other factors.
The program does not guarantee conception within a specific timeframe, prevention of miscarriage, an ongoing pregnancy, or a live birth.
Achieving a positive pregnancy test fulfills the program's stated completion milestone. It does not constitute a guarantee of pregnancy viability or a successful birth.
Participation in the program does not replace necessary medical evaluation or obstetrical care.
8. Scheduling & Patient Participation
Patients are expected to attend their six Mercier Therapy® sessions according to the agreed-upon treatment schedule whenever possible.
Patients are also responsible for completing recommended cycle charting, LH testing, and follow-up communication.
Missed appointments, extended scheduling interruptions, or failure to complete recommended monitoring do not automatically extend the program's one-year duration.
Appointments are subject to the practice's separate scheduling and cancellation policies.
9. Refund Policy
The Shared Journey Fertility Program is purchased as a comprehensive package of services and support.
The program fee is not calculated on a per-session or per-month basis.
Achieving pregnancy before the one-year anniversary does not entitle the patient to a prorated refund for unused months of monitoring or support, as pregnancy is the intended goal and completion point of the program.
Any remaining sessions from the original six-session Mercier Therapy® series will be available for postpartum care as outlined in Section 4.
Requests for cancellation, withdrawal, or refunds for other reasons will be reviewed according to the separate written cancellation and refund policy provided at enrollment, subject to applicable law.
Any exceptions or goodwill adjustments must be documented in writing.
10. Patient Acknowledgment & Agreement
You will be expected to sign the following agreement below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the terms of the Shared Journey Fertility Program.
I understand and agree that:
I have been informed of the services included in the program.
Payment is due in full on the first day of the program.
The program includes six Mercier Therapy® sessions, cycle monitoring, and the additional services described above.
The program provides up to one year of fertility support but concludes upon a positive pregnancy test, even if that occurs before the one-year anniversary.
Achieving pregnancy is considered an accomplishment of the program's primary goal.
If pregnancy occurs before all six Mercier Therapy® sessions have been completed, the remaining sessions will be reserved for postpartum care at no additional cost.
Early pregnancy care provided by Dr. Mercier as part of the transition is included at no additional cost.
If pregnancy subsequently ends in miscarriage, the original program does not restart or resume.
If I choose to begin the Shared Journey Fertility Program again following a miscarriage, I must enroll in a new program and pay the full program fee again.
Pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth are not guaranteed.
I understand the payment obligations and refund provisions outlined in this agreement.
I have had an opportunity to ask questions before enrolling.
Mercier Therapy®
Shared Journey Fertility Program
Geneva, Illinois