Doc changing business model

[JohnnyVegas]

It has been a pleasure dealing with my clinic. They are knowledgeable and efficient. But, they are a changin'.

I had blood work done a couple of weeks ago and the new doc said she would call in a refill on my scrip. Two weeks later the pharmacy said they hadn't received the refill, so they put in a request. This morning the pharmacy called to tell me the request had been denied. When I called the doctor's office they said they would refill it this one time, but from now on all clients need to get their medication directly from them IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE THE QUALITY. I laughed at her and said "there is no issue with quality for testosterone available in American pharmacies." She didn't know what to say, so I asked, "OK, I get it, you need to make more money. How much will you guys charge me?" She didn't have a price list handy.

They didn't allow me to use my insurance for blood work a few weeks ago, and they won't be allowing insurance for meds either. But that isn't my biggest concern.

I have always advised people to use doctors or clinics that were medically-based rather than sales-based. Now, my clinic will be on a cash only basis, and will make more money if they sell me more product. Exactly the business model that I distrust. Now do I trust them when they say I really should up my Test, or that I should add HGH or B12 shots?

I left my last doc because his office constantly tried to charge me $300 for 10,000 iu of hCG because that is what they charge their idiot hCG diet clients. I can go back to him, but I heard they just went cash-only as well. I guess I need to give him a call.

This money-grab is getting ridiculous.

[steroid.com 1]

The TRT market is heating up and this is a result unfortunately. This will continue and will only peak when traditional PCP and Endo/Euro's learn correct protocol's. This will have a big negative impact on this type of "cash" business model when that time happens.

The downside, it's going to take some time before we see that peak...

[zaggahamma]

i think most ppl that read and post on this board know what to order and whats too much etc. etc....also, have a good idea on how to read hormone bloodwor.......so either clinic or family doctor or endo...the doctor is a mere middle man..the less red tape to the product is best imo...like i said, this is based on research and knowing whats best for your body already...we've all seen how ignorant some doctors can be

[bass]

so typical! clinics will try to make as much as they can while they can!

[JohnnyVegas]

^^^ agreed. I know what I am doing, and was mostly commenting on the conflict of interest in being a sales oriented business. I see a lot of "normal guys" there that depend on accurate advice from the doctors, who are now also responsible for medication sales numbers. Will they let me double my dosage? It will double their sales. If they WILL let me set my own protocol in order to increase sales, then they have become just like the mail-order clinics that I distrust.

[SlimmerMe]

I told someone just last year they better (the AA clinics) start stashing their dough since when and once all of this gets really mainstream thus exposed, they will wish they stocked their cash since for the most part AA clinics operate with cagey intentions...

but! if they had not, then many members would not be where they are with their TRT would they? so kinda a mixed up situation in a way

[JohnnyVegas]

^^^^ It is truly a double edged sword.

[SlimmerMe]

^^ bingo...

[JD250]

I pay out of pocket for everything because I cant find a doctor who thinks my T levels should be above 350, screw em, I'll pay cash and get what I need from a clinic, its my health and I'm a big boy. I like clinics.

[SlimmerMe]

^^ this is what many do as I did myself.....

[steroid.com 1]

I pay out of pocket for everything because I cant find a doctor who thinks my T levels should be above 350, screw em, I'll pay cash and get what I need from a clinic, its my health and I'm a big boy. I like clinics.

EXACTLY! Same boat and same position JD.

[zaggahamma]

EXACTLY! Same boat and same position JD.

g...that dragon is chasin a healthy bi there!

[wmaousley]

The only medically based clinics in America are the non-profit/free clinics that cater to low income families. The medical field in the US as a WHOLE is a money market, this business model is a growing trend and will only get worse.

[SlimmerMe]

The only medically based clinics in America are the non-profit/free clinics that cater to low income families. The medical field in the US as a WHOLE is a money market, this business model is a growing trend and will only get worse.

I think this is precisely what is bugging people since the more the business grows, the more of a scam it is becoming; especially to people who have no idea what in the heck they are doing....

[JohnnyVegas]

I hope nobody thinks I am saying the doctors shouldn't make money. I have paid cash and never had a problem. I only recently got insurance...and that has little to do with my point. Just to be clear: I am just bummed that I no longer feel like my health is my doctor's primary objective now that they want me to buy product directly from them...product that they are responsible for telling me what quantity I need.

I never even by a TV without doing my own research because I know the sales people will steer me toward high-margin products rather than one that suites my needs. My doctor is now in that same business. I know I will be fine as I know what I need, but I am disturbed by the trend I am seeing.

[Fred40]

"We" will mostly be okay. We know what we need and how to get it.

It's the John Doe(sn't) know what the hell he's doing that will get fleeced. And there's a lot of them out there (more every day).

[SpobodyNecial]

Damn... I didn't even know that there were TRT clinics that DIDN'T operate on a crazy profit oriented business model. I have always been of the perspective that the best approach was to just try and find a provider with a minimum of obnoxious or expensive policies...

...now I kind of feel like the guy who paid $50 at the carnival trying to knock down milk bottles and win a stuffed elephant while there was a toy store across the street selling them for $5 bucks.

[JohnnyVegas]

"We" will mostly be okay. We know what we need and how to get it. It's the John Doe(sn't) know what the hell he's doing that will get fleeced. And there's a lot of them out there (more every day).

Right. There are a lot of guys that will benefit from this treatment that won't go to a steroid forum to learn. I was so happy to already know about this stuff before I needed it. But, Joe Citizen will be overcharged by many places. It is a shame.

Damn... I didn't even know that there were TRT clinics that DIDN'T operate on a crazy profit oriented business model. I have always been of the perspective that the best approach was to just try and find a provider with a minimum of obnoxious or expensive policies...

...now I kind of feel like the guy who paid $50 at the carnival trying to knock down milk bottles and win a stuffed elephant while there was a toy store across the street selling them for $5 bucks.

My doctor isn't exactly a clinic. I just call them that because it is easy. Normally I meet with the doc, get blood work done every six months, make sure my blood work is OK and they give me a scrip. They don't make much money on their TRT patients unless it is for HGH, which they supply. They make their money on doctor supervised weight loss and the hCG diet. I was lucky to be in a niche that they didn't pay much attention to.

I know my posts have been preaching to the choir. I have benefited greatly from TRT, and am frustrated that other men will probably be misinformed by people they trust. There needs to be a divide between doctors and drug suppliers.

[JD250]

There needs to be a divide between doctors and drug suppliers.

TRUE!!! It's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house, also known as "TRT clinics"

Stay after them bro, don't take no for an answer, get a script and head to the pharmacy of choice.