FAQ

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes we are! Feel free to drop us an email or call our office if you'd like to set up an appointment to establish care.

What can I expect from weight loss visits?

Your initial visit will last around 30 minutes. Follow-up visits are typically 15-20 minutes depending on what questions you may have. To stay on track with your goals, we recommend coming in monthly.

Do you go over other healthy practices?

Yes, nutrition and exercise and other healthy habits will be discussed at your weight loss appointment.

Why do you suggest B-12?

B12 is a vitamin; often times our modern habits can leave us deficient in that vitamin. If we are deficient we will notice a big difference once we take it. B12 can accelerate weight loss, assist with energy levels, facilitate better sleep and clearer brain functions as well as help balance your immune system. We administer this in the form of a monthly injection in our office. You can add a B12 on to any appointment for $15 or you can stop by for one anytime during regular office hours for $20.

What medication(s) do you prescribe to help with weight loss?

Oral medication options for weight loss include:

Adipex (phentermine)
Phendimetrazine
Tenuate (diethylpropion)
Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate)
Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)

Defer to their respective websites for more details.

Do you prescribe "the shot"?

This is our most frequently asked question and the answer is: YES. We do prescribe weight loss injection medications and we have several patients who have seen excellent weight loss results with them. There are a few different injections that we prescribe and you can discuss with your provider at your visit which one will work best for you, your goals and your budget. Some of the injections we prescribe are Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Ozempic and Mounjaro are diabetes medications so unless you are diabetic, we do not prescribe these for weight loss.

What are the active ingredients in the weight loss shot?

Wegovy - semaglutide
Zepbound - tirzepatide
Saxenda - liraglutide

Defer to their respective websites for more details.

Do you dispense medication in house?

No, we do not dispense any medications from our office. Medications require a prescription which is sent to your choice of pharmacy. Weight loss injections are very limited in supply and some are on backorder. You would need to find a pharmacy that has it in stock and pick it up after we've sent over your prescription.

Is the shot pre-dosed or do I have to measure it out myself?

All Wegovy and Zepbound injector pens come pre-dosed. Saxenda is a metered dose pen.

How much do the weight loss medications cost?

This is our second most commonly asked question. Pricing varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. We send your prescription electronically to your preferred pharmacy. (ie. Walgreens, CVS, Publix, West End, Best Drugs, Hitchcocks, Walmart, etc.) Adipex typically costs between $13-$20 for a 30 day supply. Out of pocket pricing for the weight loss injection without insurance will be $1100-$1500 a month. Zepbound does offer a savings card program that could bring the cost down to $500 or $550 if your commercial insurance does not cover it. In the rare instance your insurance does cover the injectables, you could pay as little as $20-$25 a month. (Pro tip: check goodrx.com or download the GoodRX app to compare medication pricing at different pharmacies and find which one offers the least expensive option for any medication you take!)

Does insurance cover weight loss appointments & medications?

Few commercial insurances offer weight loss coverage for the appointments as these types of consultations are considered cosmetic or elective. The same goes for weight loss medications. Few, if any, commercial insurances will cover weight loss medications. Typically the state and federal insurances are more likely to approve and cover these costs, however this is the exception not the rule and getting insurance to approve and fund these expenses is still fairly difficult. To find out for sure, you need to contact your insurance carrier for more information.

What about other medspa & wellness centers in the area that offer weight loss?

You would need to contact them regarding what services and medications they provide.

Do you offer telehealth visits?

We have started offering some telehealth visits on a limited basis. Eligibility is determined by the provider. You can discuss this option with the provider on your next visit. Note: controlled substance medications are not currently eligible for telehealth visits.

I tried to call & cancel/change my appointment but the phone was busy/no one answered. Do I still have to pay a no-show fee?

Yes. If you cancel or reschedule your appointment with less than 24 hour notice, you will be charged a no-show fee of $35. If the line is busy, it means we are receiving a lot of calls. You will have to keep trying or you can always send us an email: info@nguyenfamilypractice.com to change or cancel your appointment. If you get the voicemail, LEAVE A MESSAGE letting us know you need to change or cancel your appointment. If the timestamp is 24 hours or more before your appointment time, you will not be charged a no-show fee.

Is your phone working? I can't get through & I've been trying all day.

Our phones are very rarely down, but they DO ring pretty constantly all day, so you may get a busy signal several times before getting through. If you can't get through, feel free to send us an email, drop us a line on our Facebook page or use our contact button on Google. Our email is available 24/7! If you can't get through on the phone, we highly recommend sending us an email and we will respond asap. Our email is info@nguyenfamilypractice.com.

I lost my medication/my medication was stolen/I accidentally washed my pills/etc. Can I get a new refill sent over?

Refills for controlled substances will not be prescribed early for any reason due to state rules and regulations. Early refill requests of any controlled substance is determined by DEA regulations and your pharmacy's policy. Our office will NOT make a request to the pharmacy on your behalf.

NO exceptions!