Current Patient FAQs:

1) I received a letter via the patient portal or the mail stating Smart Health and Wellness can no longer meet my medical needs. What is going on?

• Answer: As we all know, our main service line was weight loss. With the recent changes including our two most commonly used medications soon to be no longer accessible through our compounding pharmacies, we have made the decision to completely wind down our practice once and forall. Healthcare should be simple and accessible and accepting insurance as a small practice makes keeping it this way a difficult task considering the numerous hurdles we have faces over the last 3.5 years. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as your provider and have really struggled with this decision due to the relationship I have built with the majority of you, I also feel that there are now an abundance of options in our area (including smaller clinics like mine if that is what you prefer), and as back-and-forth as I have gone with this decision, I am confident it is the best option for all involved.

2) I ordered medication within the last several weeks. Will I still be receiving this?

• Answer: Any orders placed WILL be fulfilled. Orders have been placed to the pharmacy, but we are seeing delays in fulfillment since it seems everyone from practices all across the US are attempting to bulk-order. There are also limits to how much medication you can order at a time, so if you placed multiple orders, I have a tracking sheet and am placing them as soon as the window reopens where you are eligible to place another order. Even though I made a cut-off date in the end of February for ordering through our practice to allow time to ensure we are able to fulfill the orders placed, the pharmacy will continue to accept orders through April. If you selected office shipping, you will still be notified as soon as it comes in.

3) I am in need of a prior authorization or refills of my chronic medications while I wait to establish with a new provider. What should I do?

• Answer: The easiest way to obtain refills or have a prior auth completed will be to contact your pharmacy and request the refill or ask that they initiate the authorization so they can send the request over for my approval. I will seek to provide a 90 day supply of most everything aside from controlled medications to allow you time to establish elsewhere. If unable to request the refill through your pharmacy, please click “Patient Needs” at the top of this page and navigate to “Click Here to Request a Medication Refill” and complete the form - OR - schedule a video visit from the availble times within the next month so that we can ensure you have enough to get you through.

4) Is this for all service lines or only weight loss?

• Answer: This affects ALL patients of our practice: Weight loss (compounded and through insurance), primary care, and men’s health.

5) What if I get sick or need something acute before I am able to establish with a new provider?

• Answer: If within the next month, certainly feel free to schedule a video visit from the times available on our booking page (click “Schedule Now” in the top right corner or use the booking option in your patient portal). Otherwise, I encourage you to visit a local urgent or convenient care because that’s what they are there for.

6) I have been seeing you for men’s health and the whole reason I came to you was because my regular provider will not prescribe or manage my TRT medications. What am I supposed to do?

• Answer: I understand many of you have primary care providers unwilling or unable to manage your medication for one reason or another. There are several online platforms available and even a couple local clinics (Like the one on Winter Ave in Danville) who offer this service. Try to find a clinic advertising “Men’s Health” or “Men’s TRT” because they are more likely to offer the alternative therapies you are used to if they have men’s-health-specific training. If you are really struggling to find somewhere to go, please let me know and I will do my best to assist you.

7) My insurance was paying for my weight loss medication but now they are not or only paying a small portion, making this unafforable. What do you suggest?

• Answer: There are some places who will continue offering compounded medications and this is often a much cheaper option than the commercially available form. If you wish to go that route, ensure you are aware of the risks associated with compounding (especially now because the medication being off the shortage list creates a new layer to the safety considerations), and seek out a local clinic or online platform offering this. Otherwise, see your primary care provider to discuss other options, including oral medications that may be more affordable with a coupon or a manufacturer discount program. The manufacturers of both of the commonly used brand-name injectable weight loss medications are now offering direct-to-consumer programs that could be an option for you, so visit their website for pricing and then talk with your primary care provider.