What is the purpose of the medical intake step at the initial appointment?

Completing a medical intake is simple, and we use your individual information to assess eligibility for treatment and determine the dosage and most appropriate medication for your unique needs. Sharing your medical history with your doctor is important in giving you the best treatment plan.

What is the purpose of follow up appointments?

Feedback of your progress is an important step in the treatment plan. You can expect to have your medications understood further and adjusted, if necessary. You will continue to learn about your diagnosis with education and fine tuning of your individual plan. You will understand your medical condition better so you can make better decisions about ongoing management. We recommend monthly follow-up appointments with these expectations:

1. Once you have your prescription, you can begin treatment right away. Instructions are included on your treatment plan.

2. By one month, you experience noticeable results. Any temporary side effects are monitored with you by your provider.

3. Monthly follow up appointments continue to chart your progress, make dose adjustments, and continue education and counseling.

4. After a few monthly appointments, we move to an annual review process.

What are important things for me to ask about during my appointment?

The three most important questions you want answered are:

1. What is my medical issue?

2. What do I need to do?

3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Do I need to obtain bloodwork?

No. Lab results are unnecessary for treatment of menopausal symptoms. Guidelines from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) recommend treating patient symptoms rather than hormone levels in the blood.

Similarly, lab results are not required for weight loss treatment plans in accordance with Obesity Medicine Association guidelines.

In the event that laboratory or radiology testing is needed for diagnosing and treating other medical conditions, we will order these so that you can have them done at your convenience in your local area.

Are your treatments effective for menopause?

Yes. The vast overwhelming majority of our members have complete relief from menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. And while no medical provider can promise that every symptom will completely go away, we commit to walk the path with you until you are satisfied with your individual results.

Do menopause treatments cause weight gain?

No. Multiple studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy slows down weight gain in menopause.

Are your weight loss treatments proven to be effective?

Yes. There are now multiple medications that have been developed for weight loss, including new ones that have clearly shown promising results. For instance, Wegovy is a new medication that has been approved by the FDA for weight loss. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. In clinical trials, patients who took Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their body weight over a period of 16 months.

Another medication that has been in the news recently is Ozempic. Although it is primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, it has also been found to be effective in promoting weight loss. In clinical trials, patients who took Ozempic lost an average of 14% of their body weight over a period of 68 weeks.

Do your services include obtaining prescriptions for medications?

Yes, the consultation includes our medical team sending a prescription to your local pharmacy for easy pick-up. You do not need an existing prescription; our staff will manage this for you.

What do I need to know about medications that are used?

Medications prescribed for a condition are approved after lengthy safety and effectiveness studies by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research ensures that safe and effective drugs are available to improve the health of people in the US. The goal is that you will understand why medications have been prescribed and how long they should be used. We check for any potential interactions with other medications you may be taking. We double check for compatibility with any allergies you may have. We review any possible side effects at your follow up visits.

Are there any medication side effects to be aware of?

Possibly. Breast tenderness, bloating, vaginal spotting, or headache are common and temporary side effects of hormone replacement therapy. In the first few weeks, as your body adjusts to your treatment, it’s normal to experience mild side effects that resolve over a short period of time.

Unlike other types, the newly approved weight loss drugs don’t have as many side effects. Some of the older weight loss medications may cause constipation and cardiovascular side effects. But because GLP-1 drugs work by stimulating hormones in your gut, the most common side effects of newer medications are limited to digestion and include abdominal discomfort and nausea.

Side effects are generally mild, self-limiting, and resolve over time.

Why is the weight loss consultation higher priced than the comprehensive primary care plan?

The popularity and expense of weight loss medications requires prior approval (Prior Authorization) paperwork back and forth to your insurance carrier that is time consuming. You do not need to do anything extra; we complete the paperwork, track its progress, and make the telephone calls to your insurance carrier. While this is all handled by our staff, the extra work justifies a minimal extra cost.

Is my personal information kept confidential?

Yes, all of your data is protected under existing privacy laws to comply with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations under HIPPA. This complies with national standards to protect sensitive health information from being disclosed without the patient’s permission. Anything that you share with us is strictly confidential.

What is HIPPA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that created national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. We comply with the standards set forth in HIPAA. Protected health information is information about you, including demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical health or condition. Under the law, we must make certain disclosures to you upon your request, and when required by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with the requirements of HIPAA. Without your authorization, we are expressly prohibited from using or disclosing your protected health information to others. We may not sell your protected health information, nor may we disclose it for marketing or fundraising purposes.

Where are you available for consultation?

We are currently licensed in Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, and Colorado. We will soon be licensed in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Can I use medical insurance to cover my costs?

Yes. You can use your insurance for your medication (most plans offer coverage). You can use your insurance to pay for your prescription when you check out at your local pharmacy. Insurance does not cover our membership fee; however, you can use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for membership.