I have been speaking to a friend of mine who works at a local Low T Clinic to figure out what route I am going to take when I begin inquiring about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and she tells me that at her clinic, with my insurance it will cost me $30 per visit which will include the visit, labs, and injections (depending on lab results, obviously). The thing is, they don't do multidose vials and it must be administered by the PA there. If I were to get on a weekly schedule, this will end up running ~$120 per month. Going this route would also obviously eliminate any possibility of doing any sort of blast and cruise protocol in the future if I decided I wanted too (which is highly likely). Is this typical of Clinics like this or do I need to keep looking at other options?
Low T Clinic Frequency?
- Thread starter D_228
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Man I'm in the same boat. I'm speaking with IMT to get started there bc the time driving to and from the clinic and price gets rediculoulous if this is a lifetime thing. What sucks is we have good insurance but there are no good docs that have the knowledge or ok testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) which would then cut my costs down to 20 a month.
My family practice doc has mentioned running tests to see what he can do but I have a feeling ill get a more generous dosing regime (granted, at a higher price) with a place that only does testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). If its going to be something I have to do for life I certainly don't want someone that has the mindset that just barely in the "normal" range is good.
Megatron28
Moderator
Depends on your doctor. I go through my primary care doctor and have consulted with an Endo. I have been very open and honest about my dosing with them. They have told me that as long as my TT lab tests come back in the normal range -- upper end is ok -- that they are fine with what I choose for a protocol. Obviously without any bad side effects like high hematocrit or estrariol. They have been very willing to work with me. I think the key is finding a doctor that will listen, advise and build trust with him.
I hear every day on here people who have bad experiences with doctors, whether traditional or in hormone clinics. But there are good ones out there. You just need to do your research and find them.
I would not go someplace that did not let me do self-injections. Going in for each injection is expensive and retarded. That would be a red flag for me that it is a scam. They are just looking to make money off you -- not treat your condition and put your health foremost.
I hear every day on here people who have bad experiences with doctors, whether traditional or in hormone clinics. But there are good ones out there. You just need to do your research and find them.
I would not go someplace that did not let me do self-injections. Going in for each injection is expensive and retarded. That would be a red flag for me that it is a scam. They are just looking to make money off you -- not treat your condition and put your health foremost.
IMT staff
Official Sponsor
The reason you have to go in is because they want to get paid the service fee. What they don't tell you is if you use your insurance that is on your record. Once its there you may find it hard to get life insurance polices and your premiums may start going up very soon. There is a big bill going through congress as we speak that is going to change a lot of things for you guys using your insurance.
You could get a better protocol through us, it will only cost you about $180 per month, and then since you paid cash you can turn around and write it off on your Taxes. After factoring in that you can write it off, it will cost you less to pay cash, and you have no risk of your premium's going up.
and you can do your own injections.
Hope this helps.
Todd
You could get a better protocol through us, it will only cost you about $180 per month, and then since you paid cash you can turn around and write it off on your Taxes. After factoring in that you can write it off, it will cost you less to pay cash, and you have no risk of your premium's going up.
and you can do your own injections.
Hope this helps.
Todd
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Megatron28
Moderator
What do you mean by "write it off against your insurance"? How does that work?
IMT staff
Official Sponsor
Tax Breaks on Medical Costs - SmartMoney.com I meant write it off against your taxes.
Sorry about that, typo.
You can make your own claim to insurance though. We just can't guarantee what they will cover and what they won't.
I personally don't suggest anyone put there HRT on there insurance, I have seen what it does.
For instance someone I know was diagnosed with asthma, now she pays a much higher premium. She wishes she paid cash for that, she says it would have saved her a ton of money in the long run. She has a great job too, she works for meryll lynch.
Sorry about that, typo.
You can make your own claim to insurance though. We just can't guarantee what they will cover and what they won't.
I personally don't suggest anyone put there HRT on there insurance, I have seen what it does.
For instance someone I know was diagnosed with asthma, now she pays a much higher premium. She wishes she paid cash for that, she says it would have saved her a ton of money in the long run. She has a great job too, she works for meryll lynch.
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Megatron28
Moderator
For taxes, you have to spend more than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income on non-insurance premium medical expenses to be able to deduct them. Most people find that to be a tough hurdle to get over.
Even if you don't have a hypogonadism diagnosis listed in your medical file with your primary care doctor, you still must disclose it when you apply for life insurance if you have been diagnosed with hypogonadism. Regardless of who is treating you. To not do so would be committing fraud and if the life insurance company discovers this they will not pay you death benefits.
As for someone with health insurance through their employer (i.e. Meryll Lynch) they would be covered under a group policy. Everyone in the company pays the same rate for the same coverage. They don't charge you more if you have asthma, hypogonadism or cancer. You pay the group rate.
Are you sure you aren't thinking about private individual insurance? And with health insurance reform, pre-existing conditions won't be able to be taken into consideration by health insurance companies. I would think people would want to use their insurance to pay for treatment if they have insurance. They would save a lot of money compared to your approximate $2,160 per year. I am sure there are MANY good reasons to use your highly touted individualized services. But I am not sure the ones you just listed are the right reasons.
Even if you don't have a hypogonadism diagnosis listed in your medical file with your primary care doctor, you still must disclose it when you apply for life insurance if you have been diagnosed with hypogonadism. Regardless of who is treating you. To not do so would be committing fraud and if the life insurance company discovers this they will not pay you death benefits.
As for someone with health insurance through their employer (i.e. Meryll Lynch) they would be covered under a group policy. Everyone in the company pays the same rate for the same coverage. They don't charge you more if you have asthma, hypogonadism or cancer. You pay the group rate.
Are you sure you aren't thinking about private individual insurance? And with health insurance reform, pre-existing conditions won't be able to be taken into consideration by health insurance companies. I would think people would want to use their insurance to pay for treatment if they have insurance. They would save a lot of money compared to your approximate $2,160 per year. I am sure there are MANY good reasons to use your highly touted individualized services. But I am not sure the ones you just listed are the right reasons.
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THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
I am not sure who told you about the group policy but that is simply not true. I too worked for a large company for some time and your medical records dictate in large part what you pay. I paid more because of my BMI.
My friend has worked for a large company in the Detroit area as well that deals in tool and die for the manufacturing plants, and they come to his house, shake him down, swab his mouth and give him a physical on the spot, and it dictates what he pays.
People can argue the insurance spiel all they want, I have seen it numerous times with my own eyes.
Now if your on the creams it most likely won't effect your insurance, simply because the medical literature shows there is not a significant risk in elevating your HH with the creams as opposed to injectables.
As for the 7.5%, its not that hard to come by if you consolidate ALL of your medical services, not just TRT.
Thanks for the compliment, IMT does appreciate it.
My friend has worked for a large company in the Detroit area as well that deals in tool and die for the manufacturing plants, and they come to his house, shake him down, swab his mouth and give him a physical on the spot, and it dictates what he pays.
People can argue the insurance spiel all they want, I have seen it numerous times with my own eyes.
Now if your on the creams it most likely won't effect your insurance, simply because the medical literature shows there is not a significant risk in elevating your HH with the creams as opposed to injectables.
As for the 7.5%, its not that hard to come by if you consolidate ALL of your medical services, not just TRT.
Thanks for the compliment, IMT does appreciate it.
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THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
are you aware of whats going on right now with EHR / EMR and the mandates that have been placed on all physicians?
They all have to adopt this by 2014, if they do not they will be penalized. Medicaid and Medicare is paying out each physician over 100k over the next 3 years as long as they qualify for meaningful use. One of the qualifications for "meaningful use" include tracking BMI, asking questions about smoking and other daily habits etc etc
Now why would the government give money to a physician for keeping track of that stuff?
They all have to adopt this by 2014, if they do not they will be penalized. Medicaid and Medicare is paying out each physician over 100k over the next 3 years as long as they qualify for meaningful use. One of the qualifications for "meaningful use" include tracking BMI, asking questions about smoking and other daily habits etc etc
Now why would the government give money to a physician for keeping track of that stuff?
Megatron28
Moderator
Every company I have ever worked for -- all Fortune 500 companies with group insurance -- has had the same premiums for all employees regardless of age, sex, health condition, pre-existing conditions, etc. The 80 year old with cancer paid the same rate as the 20 year old kid who never went to the doctor and the pregnant 25 year old woman.
Megatron28
Moderator
That's a different conversation for a different forum. Let's keep this focused on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), shall we?
Let's keep this focused on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), shall we?
THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
That's a different conversation for a different forum.
No I don't want to keep it to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) because it is related. IMT mentioned earlier, things are changing and even moreso than in the past, you will not want your testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on record.
A smart person would pay out of pocket cash, and get catstrophic insurance.
You can argue this with me if you would like, but I am right in the middle of this reform and have the luxury of speaking with those that get to see it from the backend. Premiums will be the same across the board, when I say raise premiums they will raise them as a whole. Now you can either be the cause, or your smoking worker can be the cause, having a clean record, choosing catastrophic insurance, and setting up an account that you pre pay that is 100% tax deductible is the way to go and this way you don't have to worry about the 7.5%
Now on top of this, if your employer found out you were the reason the premuims went up based on your testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), needing more visits and labs. and possibly being a CVD risk, do you think it is possible you could get released from your position?
I am here to tell you it can and will start happening more and more. Businesses are adopting wellness programs in order reduce premiums, because they are now responsible for covering everyone. It doesn't matter how good you are at your job, they are gonna let people go that cause an increase in premiums period.
How do I know? Because I am helping some of those companies develop there wellness plans.......
why on earth you would go with the insurance model and work for fortune 500 is beyond me.
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Megatron28
Moderator
I already have an HSA. I totally agree that it is the best way to go.
THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
Im not trying to argue with you brother, I have mad respect. I am just saying, I have seen the inside of the machine and you want no part of it.
Megatron28
Moderator
I'm not either. We're just having a respectful dialogue. I look forward to hearing what other people think too.
You know what you are talking about and I read every word you write about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I have learned a tremendous amount from you. I can't thank you enough for contributing to this forum and making it what it is.
You know what you are talking about and I read every word you write about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I have learned a tremendous amount from you. I can't thank you enough for contributing to this forum and making it what it is.
THE-DET-OAK
IncreasedMyT @ ULV
Thanks man I appreciate the compliment! Your are an asset to the forum and very pleased that you are a daily contributor.
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