General Questions
Questions about insurance, becoming a new patient, and our policies can be found here.
Does Charleston HealthSpan Institute Take Insurance?
Charleston HealthSpan Institute is an out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance payments for any services. We will, however, provide you with a statement of services and fees paid which will be properly documented with appropriate diagnosis, laboratory, and procedure codes. This often will suffice for insurance reimbursement, and if not, should certainly apply toward a deductible or flexible spending account.
Patients cannot file any claims with Medicare because we have “opted out” of Medicare.
Once we book your initial consultation with one of our Physicians, we will email you a link to our new patient questionnaire. Please fill out the patient questionnaire as soon as possible. Our patients being seen for hormone deficiencies need lab work, and sometimes this is scheduled before or after their initial consultation. During the initial consultation, one of our physicians will spend about 45 minutes going over your past medical history, discuss your symptoms, general health, wellness and treatment options. Follow up appointments will be scheduled on an individual basis to assure optimization going foreword.
If you are on testosterone from a compounding pharmacy, the law states that you must be seen by a doctor every six months to continue your prescription. If not, we require an annual visit. We offer phone consultations if it is too inconvenient to come into the office.
You will never be obligated to sign up for a monthly program or annual contract. We believe that every patient’s treatment and optimization regimen is different, and there is no reason to try and fit everyone into a monthly program. Because of this, you can expect more individualized care specific to your needs and goals.
Programs like this benefit the bottom line of the company, not your health. Our priority is your health.
Hormone Related Questions
Questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy can be found here.
My Doctor is Skeptical About Hormone Therapies. How do I Approach the Conversation?
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a specialty and not all physicians understand the complications of proper treatment. Doctors naturally want what’s best for their patients, but it is getting increasingly difficult to sift through all the literature today to find the best practices for all types of treatments. We have a very specific way of treating each individual case and our practices are built from treatment of over 10,000 individuals. Our physicians are happy to explain all the benefits vs. risks of BHRT during your consultation.
How Long Until I Feel the Effects of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
This question greatly depends on the individual and method of treatment chosen. Some patients feel the effects in a matter of weeks, others in the first couple of months. We will work with you during the first couple months of treatment to find the optimal frequency for your individual treatment plan.
Are There Side Effects Associated with BHRT?
There are very few side effects associated with BHRT and the potential ones are classically linked to dosage. If you are experiencing any negative side effects after starting medication, give us a call and ask for one of our nurses to discuss the issues we are having. After the conversation, we should be able to balance your hormones properly and all side effects will usually disappear.
Does BHRT Increase My Risk For Cancer?
No. Bio-Identical Hormones do not cause cancer. In fact, it has been shown that hormones actually reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases in women. We have also written many articles about the risks and rewards of BHRT, in many cases helping our audience better understand the claims of the mainstream media, or parameters of a recent study.
Can I Have my Primary Care Physician Order my Blood Work so I Can Bill Insurance?
Unfortunately no. We will arrange for you to have your blood work tested at one of our preferred partner’s facilities. This ensures you get the correct tests and our physicians receive them in the format they require. Different labs have different reference ranges for the same tests and many Primary Care offices will not order the full panel our physicians need to see. This can delay the process and your treatment. We have preferred pricing in place with LabCorp and your cost through our system is significantly less expensive than on the open market. You may have a hard time ordering our advanced tests through your doctor. Because of our bulk discount, the tests we order are generally also less expensive than ordering through your doctor – even if you have insurance!
We will provide you with a superbill and receipt with all the correct codes so you may submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.