M. Max Ezzati, MD, FACOG — An Honest Editorial Review

Choosing among fertility clinics in California often comes down to the individual physician and the program behind them. Dr. M. Max Ezzati is Medical Director of Palo Alto Medical Foundation Fertility Physicians of Northern California (PAMF Fertility), a Sutter Health practice with its main IVF lab at 2581 Samaritan Drive in San Jose and satellite care in East Palo Alto and Fremont.

Dr. Ezzati is double board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His clinical focus includes IVF, fertility preservation, diminished ovarian reserve, and reproductive surgery, and he serves as the program's Medical Director on SART.

Training and Credentials

Dr. Ezzati earned his MD at Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine. He completed his OB-GYN residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital / Washington Hospital Center (2007–2011) and his Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern – Parkland Health & Hospital System (2012–2015). He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG) and a member of ASRM, SREI, and the Bay Area Reproductive Endocrinology Society (BARES). Browse his PubMed publications.

Services and Specialties

Services at PAMF Fertility under Dr. Ezzati include:

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), including frozen embryo transfer
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and ovulation induction
• egg freezing and oncofertility preservation
• donor egg IVF, donor embryo, and gestational carrier programs
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A / PGT-M)
• Diminished ovarian reserve and advanced reproductive age care
• Reproductive surgery for fibroids, endometriosis, and tubal disease

Success Rates and Lab Quality

PAMF Fertility reports cycle outcomes to SART; see the SART Clinic Summary Report (ClinicPKID 2070) and the CDC ART Success Rates report. The lab holds verified accreditation through SART and CAP/CLIA. Raw averages blend very different ages and diagnoses — always compare within your own age band. Our how to read IVF success rates guide covers the common interpretation traps.

Patient Experience

Dr. Ezzati's 5.0/49 Google rating is strong for a high-volume REI running a multi-site Sutter program. Recurring themes in public reviews mention calm bedside manner, clear cycle planning for complex cases, and direct communication about realistic expectations for patients with low AMH or recurrent loss. The Samaritan Drive campus sits off Highway 17/880 with dedicated patient parking; monitoring appointments tend to run early-morning to accommodate working patients across Silicon Valley.

Considering At-Home Insemination?

Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. At-home intracervical insemination (ICI) is a lower-cost, private option that suits patients with no known fertility diagnosis — including single parents by choice, same-sex couples, and people who want to try a few cycles before committing to clinical treatment.

At-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom come with step-by-step instructions designed for donor or partner sperm. Kits are a one-time purchase that can be reused until conception succeeds, require no clinic visit, and arrive in plain, discreet packaging. Many patients use them as a first step while working toward a fertility consultation — or alongside ovulation tracking while they wait for an appointment slot.

If you have a known fertility diagnosis, have been trying for 12 months without success (six months if you're over 35), or your physician has already recommended IUI or IVF, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.

Insurance and Cost in California

California's SB 729, signed into law in 2024 and effective for most large-group fully-insured plans starting in 2025 (with CalPERS following in 2027), requires coverage of diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including up to three IVF cycles and unlimited frozen embryo transfers. Self-funded (ERISA) plans are exempt. PAMF Fertility contracts with most major commercial insurers; verify benefits before your first consult. See our fertility insurance mandates by state guide and IVF cost by state breakdown.

Location and Contact

Address: 2581 Samaritan Drive, Suite 302, San Jose, CA 95124 Phone: (800) 597-2234 Website: sutterhealth.org — Fertility & Reproductive Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dr. Ezzati accepting new patients? As of this writing, yes. Availability changes throughout the year — contact the office at (800) 597-2234 to confirm and to schedule an initial REI consultation.

Does PAMF Fertility accept insurance? PAMF Fertility contracts with most major commercial insurers and is in-network for many Sutter Health-affiliated plans. California's SB 729 expands IVF coverage for many large-group fully-insured plans starting in 2025; self-funded employer plans remain exempt.

Which PAMF location handles IVF retrievals and transfers? All IVF retrievals and embryo transfers are performed at the San Jose (Samaritan Drive) lab, which holds SART-verified accreditation. Monitoring visits can often be done at the East Palo Alto or Fremont satellites.

Editorial note: Independently written by the Fertlo editorial team; not sponsored. See our editorial policy.