Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you accept insurance?

In a few words: cost, quality and independence. By remaining an all cash fee-for-service practice we are able to keep our overhead costs down and provide services of exceptional quality and pass those savings on to our customers. We choose to not contract nor negotiate any reduced fees and services from insurance carriers. i.e. we charge for the value we provide. We therefore do not participate in the utilization of medical services process which is required by many insurance carriers. The recommendations we make to our patients are ours alone and are not influenced by any third parties. Because many of the services which we provide fall under the realm of alternative medicine and are not recognized by insurance carriers there are no recognized diagnosis or treatment codes which correspond to our services. We are happy to provide a cash receipts at the time services are rendered, but be aware if you submit these receipts to your insurance company there are no recognized conventional billing codes which can be utilized. This will likely result in a denial from most insurance companies.

How much does it cost?

Vintage Medical Group is a freestanding alternative and aesthetic facility.  We are a strictly cash fee-for-service basis clinic. Full payment is expected at the time services are rendered. We are happy to accept cash, personal check and most major credit cards.
 
Individual Programs to Meet Your Individual Needs (please contact our clinic to see which program best suits your personal needs or if a custom program needs to be designed for you)

• Basic Hormonal Evaluation Men and Women: $500 (this consultation includes Erectile Dysfunction)
• Extended Hormonal Evaluation (basic hormone plus evaluation of associated medical issues such as hyperlipidemia, obesity or cardiovascular disease) $750
• Thyroid Evaluation "Simple": $250
• Longevity Evaluation (Anti-aging): $1050
• Sports Performance Evaluation (this includes injury evaluations): Starting at $200
• Vasectomy: $650
• Second Opinion Consultation: Starting at $250 minimum and up
• Private personal physician arrangements-starting at $25,000 per year
• Phlebotomy: $50
• Ozone Therapy: $125 and up

Laboratory/Diagnostic studies: All required laboratory and diagnostic studies are the responsibility of the patient. Vintage Medical Group has negotiated extremely favorable rates for our patients at a regional clinical reference lab. You may also request that your primary physician order the requested studies and bring them along with you if you have an insurance plan or other arrangement that will allow these to be done.

What Is Bio Identical or "Natural" Hormone Replacement Therapy?

When our clinic refers to the replacement of hormones naturally, we're referring to the molecular structure of these hormones. Our world is given plant sources which contain chemical structures which are bio identical to human hormones. Although weak in strength, compounding pharmacies can derive sterols such as stigmasterol, a cholesterol like molecule from these plants and replicate the molecular structure of the hormones which are absolutely identical in all aspects to hormones produced by the healthy human body.

What is the difference between a synthetic and Bio Identical hormone?

In two words, a lot! However, we won't stop there. The term synthetic refers to the hormone being used as a similar but not bio identical to our own human body hormones. The chemical structure of synthetic hormones may contain up to a dozen different compounds extracted from the urine of pregnant mares and others are chemically synthesized compounds which are molecularly similar in shape and in binding to receptor sites in the human body, but are not structurally or chemically identical to the hormones produced by the human body.

Can I get Bio Identical "Natural" hormone replacement therapy from my local nutrition Center?

Bio identical hormones which are of therapeutic strength can only be obtained
from a licensed compounding pharmacy which specializes in preparing these 
custom hormones. This requires a prescription from a licensed physician or provider.

Who can benefit from bio identical hormone replacement therapy?

As we age, regardless of gender, you begin to feel, and see the effects of declining levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and human growth hormone. Men and/or women suffering from weight gain, loss of strength, mental fogginess, low sex drive, fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, pianist, irregular periods, erectile dysfunction, increasing the LDL
cholesterol, or any other andropause, perimenopause or menopausal symptoms, may find natural hormone replacement therapy as a premier alternative in restoring hormonal balance.

What is Human Growth Hormone?

Growth hormone is an essential substance secreted by the pituitary gland that, and children is necessary to cause physical growth. In the aging adult human growth hormone is essential to maintain healthy body composition and metabolism. After the age of 30, human growth hormone declines at a rate 14% per decade on average. Studies have shown the human growth hormone supplementation helps increase bone mass, improves cardiac function and exercise ability and recovery. Human growth hormone has been noted to enhance skin texture and approve the body's ability to heal wounds.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is a hormone substance which is produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA is a precursor hormone which may be converted to testosterone and estrogen's via various biochemical pathways inside the cells of the body. DHEA is a substance which is believed to enhance immune system function by protecting against infection and assisting in recovery from injury and illness. DHEA may also be helpful in enhancing energy and muscle strength. It is also believed the DHEA may be beneficial in treating autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Thyroid hormone?

Two main thyroid hormones are produced by the human body. These two main
thyroid hormones are thyroxine, or T4 and triiodothyronine or T3. T4 is produced with article and is considered in an active thyroid hormone in the body. T3 is the active thyroid hormone which is produced by peripheral conversion of T4 in the brain liver and other cells of the body. Thyroid hormone has a vast and encompassing involvement in regulating every aspect of the human body's metabolism. Abnormalities of thyroid function including both low and high thyroid conditions can create problems and symptoms in virtually every organ system and part of the human body.

What is Melatonin?

Produced by the pineal gland in the brain, melatonin is a hormone which is released mainly at night in the absence of light on the retina. Melatonin is associated with regulation of circadian rhythm as well as the onset and timing of the stages of sleep. Research studies have shown a link between stimulation of the immune system and healthy deep stages of sleep. Melatonin is believed to scavenge free radicals, assist healthy sleep patterns impossibly slow the aging process. No tone is also believed to regulate seasonal changes in the body such as winter weight gain.

What are Estrogens?

There are three main estrogens produced in the human body. Proper levels, balance and ratio of these three estrogens in combination with other hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone and DHEA are essential for optimal health and sense of well-being. Estrone is the most prevalent estrogen in the body after menopause. It is produced by the adrenal glands and fat cells. Estradiol is produced mainly by the ovaries and of the three is felt to be the most stimulating of breast tissue and is also probably responsible for many of the estrogen related menstrual symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating swelling and water retention. Estriol is the main circulating estrogen in young women. Estriol is produced in large quantities in pregnancy and is the least stimulating to breast tissue. Estrogens are helpful in relieving hot flashes, maintaining the health of the urinary tract by preventing atrophy of the vaginal mucosa and urinary tract. It may also have positive effects on skin, blood vessels as well as slowing the development of osteoporosis by regulating the rate of bone loss associated with aging. Estrogens have also been noted to assist some patients with problems with mood disorder, foggy and unclear thinking as well as associated memory problems.

What is Pregnenolone?

Pregnenolone is a precursor hormone which is produced in multiple areas of the human body. It is noted to be produced in the adrenal glands, brain, liver, ovaries, testicles, and even in the myelin sheath of nerves. As a precursor hormone the molecule of pregnenolone is used in biochemical pathways to produce other important hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone and estrogens. Because of the end organ function of pregnenolone is the leave the supplementation with this substance can be helpful for enhancing mood, energy and memory. There may also be a role for supplementation in individuals dealing with autoimmune disorders fatigue and depression.

What Is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a hormone which is essential to the health and well-being of females. Progesterone may enhance estrogen activity while also moderating the symptoms of estrogen excess such as water retention, fat accumulation, uterine bleeding and excess mood swings. Progesterone is primarily produced in the premenopausal woman by the corpus luteum in the ovary just prior to and after ovulation. It is also produced in large quantities in the placenta during pregnancy and in small quantities by the adrenal glands. Proper supplementation with bio identical progesterone may produce dramatic improvements in patients with symptoms of unexplained obesity, menopause, PMS, anxiety, chronic sleep disorder and a host of other symptoms.