TRT cost?

**JohnnyVegas** · 12-07-2011, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by innerg

Ok I’m so glad that this thread is started. BUT i feel like the main question has not been addressed. test and all that I feel is fairly cheap.
So what is the consult fees you guys are all getting? My Doc at the TRT/ hormone clinic (it’s in a plastic surgery place/spa place) wants to charge me $1,200 up front for the 1st year then $500 a year after that.

Is that in line or way out of line?

That is an insane opportunist. Those are the kinds of places that get busted for over-precribing all the time. They don't care what your levels are, and will sell you higher doses than you need. They are drug dealers that overcharge. They have the appearance of being legal, but they find out it isn't when they get in trouble.

I go to a legit doc, with lots of knowledge and training. They charge around $85 a visit and I see them a few times a year for blood work, check up and evaluation of the treatment.

**Brohim** · 12-07-2011, 11:58 AM

Talk to the VA doc's you never know. Tell them your symptoms and the research youve done.

**txnhb** · 12-07-2011, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by warchild

my ins united health covers everything test, labs and adex for a 10$ copay but hcg i pay for which is 90$.

hey warchild i looked into united and called them...what plan are you with?

**Drmagic** · 12-07-2011, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by txnhb

I've been searching online and I see a wide range of different costs for TRT at a clinic. Can anyone give me their own personal experience of how much the actual therapy costs going to a wellness type clinic?

Not sure if I'm supposed to post this kind of info but I'll put it out there until it gets edited. My office is kind of a hybrid, I do a lot of anti-aging but also primary care. I am on the low end of the cost scale compared to others in my area but have tried to make this treatment accessible to as many people as possible. I take some insurance so office visits and labwork is usually covered but have great cash rates for those who don't have insurance - for some it's cheaper to pay cash for labs because their copay is higher than the cash price, shows you what kind of a scam insurance is.

What my patients pay:
3 month supply of cyp: $100 (includes all supplies)
2 month supply of HCG : $50
AI:most can get AI covered by insurance without any problem so I just call in 1 mg tablets that they break in half. If from a compounding pharmacy they run $1 - 2 per pill
Labs if not insured: $250 - (very extensive panel)if insured sometimes only a low copay or evern no copay. follow up labs are less because I don't have to repeat everything in the initial panel every 3 or 6 months.
Initial visit: $250 - one on one with me for an hour, I cover nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, supplements and anything else that is needed to improve health for the patient - I do take some insurance and bill office visits
Follow up visits: $125 - after dialed in every 6 - 12 months
Most of my patients have insurance but pay these cash prices because of the pain it can be to get test with some companies - some get it covered without issue.
Hope this helps.

**txnhb** · 12-07-2011, 07:51 PM

well you know i'm coming to the conclusion that just getting health insurance and finding a doctor that is on board with the same mentality as me to improve quality of life is the way to go. i found an insurance quote for roughly $100 a month. i guess my next question is what kind of doctor would do something like this? am i looking for a PCP to refer me to an endo or urologist? do the PCP's feel comfortable handling this? i wish it wasn't such a big deal in the U.S. to just want to feel good.

**Brohim** · 12-07-2011, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Drmagic

Not sure if I'm supposed to post this kind of info but I'll put it out there until it gets edited. My office is kind of a hybrid, I do a lot of anti-aging but also primary care. I am on the low end of the cost scale compared to others in my area but have tried to make this treatment accessible to as many people as possible. I take some insurance so office visits and labwork is usually covered but have great cash rates for those who don't have insurance - for some it's cheaper to pay cash for labs because their copay is higher than the cash price, shows you what kind of a scam insurance is.

What my patients pay:
3 month supply of cyp: $100 (includes all supplies)
2 month supply of HCG : $50
AI:most can get AI covered by insurance without any problem so I just call in 1 mg tablets that they break in half. If from a compounding pharmacy they run $1 - 2 per pill
Labs if not insured: $250 - (very extensive panel)if insured sometimes only a low copay or evern no copay. follow up labs are less because I don't have to repeat everything in the initial panel every 3 or 6 months.
Initial visit: $250 - one on one with me for an hour, I cover nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, supplements and anything else that is needed to improve health for the patient - I do take some insurance and bill office visits
Follow up visits: $125 - after dialed in every 6 - 12 months
Most of my patients have insurance but pay these cash prices because of the pain it can be to get test with some companies - some get it covered without issue.
Hope this helps.

What are the rules for out of stater's? Can you do teleconference to go over labs? Or do you have to fly in on the initial?

**Brohim** · 12-07-2011, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by txnhb

well you know i'm coming to the conclusion that just getting health insurance and finding a doctor that is on board with the same mentality as me to improve quality of life is the way to go. i found an insurance quote for roughly $100 a month. i guess my next question is what kind of doctor would do something like this? am i looking for a PCP to refer me to an endo or urologist? do the PCP's feel comfortable handling this? i wish it wasn't such a big deal in the U.S. to just want to feel good.

You need either an endo or PCP that know's about hrt. Because if they are up to date they will prescribe AI and HCG . Or even a weight loss clinic that does trt and can prescribe all the above. Good luck

**Drmagic** · 12-08-2011, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Brohim

What are the rules for out of stater's? Can you do teleconference to go over labs? Or do you have to fly in on the initial?

I have patients in many other states, I follow florida guidelines, Have to have a face to face initially and I require one visit annually therafter, phone consultations in between as needed - usually every 6 months for lab review if dialed in. For many of my patients around florida it is cheaper for them to fly over once a year than to pay the high fees charged where they are - especially south florida. My office is a 10 minute drive from the air port so it's easy to get in or out although Tampa is a great place to visit if you want to stay longer!

**lvs** · 12-08-2011, 08:45 AM

Wow! This is awesome! Very reasonable IMO!

Originally Posted by Drmagic

Not sure if I'm supposed to post this kind of info but I'll put it out there until it gets edited. My office is kind of a hybrid, I do a lot of anti-aging but also primary care. I am on the low end of the cost scale compared to others in my area but have tried to make this treatment accessible to as many people as possible. I take some insurance so office visits and labwork is usually covered but have great cash rates for those who don't have insurance - for some it's cheaper to pay cash for labs because their copay is higher than the cash price, shows you what kind of a scam insurance is.

What my patients pay:
3 month supply of cyp: $100 (includes all supplies)
2 month supply of HCG : $50
AI:most can get AI covered by insurance without any problem so I just call in 1 mg tablets that they break in half. If from a compounding pharmacy they run $1 - 2 per pill
Labs if not insured: $250 - (very extensive panel)if insured sometimes only a low copay or evern no copay. follow up labs are less because I don't have to repeat everything in the initial panel every 3 or 6 months.
Initial visit: $250 - one on one with me for an hour, I cover nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, supplements and anything else that is needed to improve health for the patient - I do take some insurance and bill office visits
Follow up visits: $125 - after dialed in every 6 - 12 months
Most of my patients have insurance but pay these cash prices because of the pain it can be to get test with some companies - some get it covered without issue.
Hope this helps.

**flatscat** · 12-08-2011, 08:58 AM

Guys and gals,

I have no control over what is posted here in this forum. But I do feel a little uncomfortable with the above post by the good Dr. While I appreciate the participation and honesty about fees, I would feel better if any discussion about those things and procedures one would take to become a patient take place via p.m. or better yet, trade emails and have those talks that way.

I just think for objective purposes we need to keep all comments free of anything that could be considered an advertisement or offer for services.

Again, I appreciate all participation by physicians here and your opinions are valuable.

These are just my thoughts though.

Thanks,

Flats

**APIs** · 12-08-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by flatscat

I just think for objective purposes we need to keep all comments free of anything that could be considered an advertisement or offer for services.

Good point IMO. Forum could lose it's credibility...

**kelkel** · 12-08-2011, 09:47 AM

Good points by API and Flats. I don't think the doc was "advertising" but it does give us ballpark fair pricing ideas for those that need them.

**flatscat** · 12-08-2011, 09:51 AM

I don't think he was advertising either - just a bad precedent - and there was already ball park prices given by members. But you can see the question following his post - they (questions) are inevitable and unfortunate and are what will bring the hammer down.

**Drmagic** · 12-08-2011, 08:05 PM

I hear you flats, not here to drum up business, have as much as I can handle as it is. Just adding to the conversation but your point is taken. Would hate to do anything to tarnish this forum, it is a great resource that I'm sure helps many people become informed consumers.

**ecdysone** · 12-08-2011, 08:13 PM

Agree with everything posted above...except: flats: you are a gem!!!!!

**warchild** · 12-08-2011, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by txnhb

hey warchild i looked into united and called them...what plan are you with?

i dont remember if it hmo or ppo

**txnhb** · 12-09-2011, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Brohim

Talk to the VA doc's you never know. Tell them your symptoms and the research youve done.

So the VA doc said yeah we're gonna draw blood and check total test. Also gonna check TSH and T3 and T4. He said however, after I explained my symptoms and how i'm at the level of a 70 year old man that even if i'm low normal range he couldn't prescribe anything because it's not the "Standard of Care." He also threw in the speal about prostate cancer. I already researched that and found that study was bogus and the new studies show no correlation between TRT and prostate cancer.