Program Description
The Pre Consultation Interview is FREE
The initial discussion and Pre Evaluation are provided at no charge. It is done in person or by phone. During the session we will discuss your Anti Aging concerns, answer any questions, and make certain there are no medical exclusions to hormone replacement treatment. This introductory meeting also provides us with some of the initial medical information needed to eventually design a personalized program and help achieve your Age Management goals and enhance the quality of your life.
Know Your Hormone Levels
Any HRT program starts with the basic knowledge of your bodies’ hormone levels and chemistry. The levels of important blood chemistries as well as hormone levels need to be obtained and monitored. Lab analysis is done using either blood, sputum and/or urine. Labs are done in advance of the formal HRT consultation, and treatment recommendations.
Getting started is simple.
We first draw and analyze your blood to evaluate general health and disease risk indicators plus specific hormone levels. Next is the gathering of personal data including a detailed health survey and history, previous labs, review of a recent physical exam and when appropriate x-ray, studies. These data are usually gathered prior to the formal exam and consultation.
After the data are complete, you will be scheduled for your personal consultation. This includes a detailed review of the accumulated information and exam, a detailed discussion of your lab results and answers to any questions. Ultimately, we will prepare a set of recommendations including the appropriate replacement of any diminished hormones which may include, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estrogen, and Thyroid, as well as the supporting nutritional supplements and vitamins needed for optimal body functions and health. These recommendations are designed to optimize your energy, stamina, sexual capacity, skin quality, memory, cognitive capacity, physique, bone strength and moods. This will take anywhere from 1-2 hours.
Age Management Center,
HRT Program Development, and Follow Up Care
The medications that are prescribed require follow up care. In order for you to remain under our care you will need regular lab exams, occasional telephone consultations, regular review of lab levels and often adjustments to your medical treatments. It is expected that you will have need of personalized ongoing communication during your program and treatment. Also as new discoveries are made we want to pass these along to our clients. This is where the concept of an Annual Professional Fee for the follow up cost of this program for the year comes into play. This allows patients unlimited access for scheduled follow up, exams, program discussions, email communication and management. In addition to unlimited communication this yearly fee includes the initial screening interview and evaluation, exam, dietary review, pre treatment correspondences, determination of specific age management goals, meetings, review of any recent exams, health history, risk factors and previous labs.
What is Concierge or Membership Medicine?
Concierge or Membership Medical Service is a new and exciting concept in the delivery of high end, personalized medical treatment and follow up access for patients desiring participation in a volume restricted, highly individualized HRT practice. By limiting the number of clients, we are able to provide much greater attention to each client's needs.
The Age Management Center model is designed to provide quality and personalized Age Management related medical care delivered in a convenient, “tailored to the individual” fashion. We help establish an overall health plan that is reasonable and compatible with our clients varied lifestyles and are accessible when questions arise. We accomplish this by offering a wide range of Anti Aging recommendations to promote a livable, healthy lifestyle for our clients. Our job is to maintain wellness, quality of life, longevity and health. We are interested in the many factors that are important to accomplish this goal including exercise, diet, nutrition, recreation and leisure time, family dynamics, sexual health, skin care, mental health, and of course hormone optimization.
Features of the Age Management Center Concierge Membership Medical Service
- Restricted Client Base: Physician's clients are restricted to fewer patients. Your doctor can devote more time and attention to each patient and allows the doctor more time to research and develop in depth and diverse recommendations for his patients
- Personalized Access: Client contacts physician directly to answer questions relating to the client's health, medical conditions, preventive activities and treatment options
- Attention to individual concerns: Physician will spend the time necessary for the client to fully understand his/her medical care with increased opportunity to ask questions
- Yearly Health Updates: Yearly complete health assessment review and evaluation with ongoing follow-up and recommendations to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle that will fit with busy schedules
- Program Individualization: Small client base will allow the physician to tailor any medical care to the individual and his/her demanding schedule and lifestyle.
- Professional Health Care: Providers will consist of only licensed health care professionals.
Your Primary Care Provider Is An Important Component To Overall Health And Wellness
We are not involved with management of your routine or acute health needs. It is mandatory that you have a Primary Care Health Care Provider for your ongoing health care needs. Your Age Management Center professional will manage your HRT program based on your follow-up lab panels, emails and phone consultations, and is available to you on a prescheduled basis in person or via phone or email on a timely personalized basis.
Age Management Staff Assistance
The Age Management Center Staff will help coordinate your medications, nutraceuticals and schedule your follow-up blood draws. Follow-up consultations will be scheduled to discuss the results of your lab work with your Age Management Center physician. The blood draw, labs, and medications are not included in the annual service fee.
Pharmacy
Your Age Management Center Physician will make program recommendations based on your comprehensive lab results, body fat, lean muscle, bone density, medical history, and your physical examination. Each recommendation will be prioritized based on your goals and your medical needs. You will decide whether to begin a comprehensive program or start a program addressing your highest priority. We frequently recommend Pharmacies that specialize in the compounding of top quality bio identical medications of the highest quality. Most insurance will not cover the pharmacy medication charges.
As part of your treatment you may receive recommendations for various medications. You have options regarding the fulfillment of these prescriptions. Some of the may be readily available at a local pharmacy and an Rx will be provided upon request. However many of these meds require custom compounding and must be manufactured to individual specifications. We will provide the option to order these medications from licensed pharmacies with whom we routinely use and they will be shipped directly to your home. Prior to any order, the product cost and shipping fee will be provided. Medications must be paid for before they are ordered. All sales are final.
The average Hormone Optimization Program cost is $100-$200 per month for pharmaceuticals excluding hGH. If your IGF-1 levels are sub-optimal and you do not have any contraindications hGH will cost between $250 to $400 per month based on your recommended dose. If you decide to start or replace an existing nutraceutical program your cost can range from $45 to $150 per month based on your individual needs.
Lab
You will be required to have an extensive lab blood analysis prior to starting any HRT program to determine the specific medications and optimal dosages that will best serve your individual needs. You will then be required to have regular monitoring of several blood parameters during your course of treatment. Lab results and “normal ranges” can vary from one lab to another and we strongly encourage the consistent use of a quality laboratory. Unfortunately some insurance companies may not understand the need for frequent monitoring of certain results and may even challenge reoccurring lab requests. We have access to labs that can provide discounted prices and will offer those to our clients.
Note: The need for follow up lab varies with individual programs and is billed separately at the time of collection.
Health Insurance
Our Center does not accept insurance. We can provide you with a medical bill and a copy of your clinical record. These documents may help if you wish to pursue reimbursement from your insurance company or document medical expenses for your tax preparation. Some patients may have success in obtaining at least partial reimbursement. We do not require or recommend asking for pre-approval.
Bio-Identical Hormones – Pharmacy Purchases Online – FDA Warning
Hundreds of drug-dispensing websites with a professional appearance, and the promise of deep discounts with a minimum of hassles, have been allowed to do business. It is very difficult for a consumer to determine which sites are legitimate ones, especially when it is very easy to set up a site. Recently, the FDA published a link titled Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online: Tips and Warnings For Consumers. The FDA recommends that you have a physical exam by a physician before any prescription is filled, and that you only buy pharmaceuticals from a pharmacy in good standing with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. If a physician determines you are deficient in Hormones, we recommend use of reputable sources to assure you purchase real bio identical hormones.
Some information provided by permission from the Cenegenics Medical Institute