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COST OF THE ALGOS PROGRAM
The program at Algos is an integrated medicine program, using techniques that are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. We use a combination of traditional and alternative methods, and because insurance, Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for these alternative methods, Algos has elected to not accept any form of insurance payments for treatment. Insurance carriers limits treatment options, causes interminable delays in payment, will deny payment for no reason at all, and have many requirements that are entirely inappropriate and unnecessary for the treatment of those addicted to opioids. Patients need treatment immediately, not a lot of red tape that delays their treatment.
BECAUSE THE DEDUCTIBLES ON MOST INSURANCE PLANS ARE VERY HIGH RANGING UP TO $10,000 PER YEAR, MOST PATIENTS ARE EFFECTIVELY PAYING OUT OF POCKET ANYWAY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THEIR MEDICAL CARE. ACCORDINGLY, THE ALGOS PROGRAM DOES NOT COST MOST PATIENTS ANY MORE THAN THEY WOULD BE PAYING USING THEIR INSURANCE.
HOWEVER- If you have Medicare or Medicaid, we suggest you seek care with a provider that accepts these insurances. A list of other providers is found at www.suboxone.com
Your insurance carrier may cover the cost of the medication and Algos will give you the codes to preauthorize the medication with your pharmacy/insurer if you elect to use insurance for medication payment.
Since the Algos program includes the cost of the urine drug screens and basic counseling for those patients without their own counselor, our overall costs are much lower than other programs.
There are online coupons available that help defray the costs of these medications. The manufacturers of the non-generic versions of these medications usually have on-line coupons and using goodrx.com, an on-screen coupon may be presented to the pharmacist for a discount price if not using other coupons.
The overall cost per month of the program will vary depending on whether the urine drug screens require confirmation or whether referral to external counseling or rehab are required for those that continue engaging in substance abuse or addiction while in our program.
Patient Resources //
OFFICE VISIT FEES
INITIAL OFFICE VISIT
The charge is $125 paid in advance to reserve the time for the initial evaluation and urine drug screen. This visit is usually around one hour long or sometimes longer. The urine drug screen costs are included in this fee.
INDUCTION
If the patient is in withdrawal ("sick") and meets the criteria using the COWS scale, then induction is included as part of the first visit. Induction means a small dosage of Suboxone or equivalent is given, then an assessment is made of the side effects of the suboxone. If there are no significant side effects, then a longer term script is written.
FOLLOW UP OFFICE VISITS
Office visits cost $125 each paid in advance to reserve the time slot for evaluation, compliance, PMP checks, counseling, and random urine drug screens. Each office visit is monthly, unless aberrancies are detected, in which case office visits more frequently than monthly may be employed.
OTHER COSTS
-Drug screens are free, but if a urine drug screen confirmation is required due to a positive drug screen for unprescribed controlled substances, additional charges will apply. We provide a guide on this site on which home medications to avoid in order to avoid false positive urine drug screens.
-Liver function tests/EKG may be required.
-Medication costs may be significant, but there are ways to lower this cost through the use of drug discount programs, coupons, insurance, or www.goodrx.com
-Counseling. For most patients this cost is rolled into the office visit cost but occasionally when Algos treats some one beyond the limits of the program, external counseling may be needed. We encourage participation in some external counseling, whether it be with a pastor, addiction counselor, or narcotics anonymous/alcoholics anonymous.
System Nuts and Bolts
Patients may schedule their own appointments online using our online scheduler, with the initial visits scheduled for one hour.
Followup visits may be scheduled for 30 min online.
Our office visits are available on weekends and some nights during the week.
Prepayment is available using a credit card online prior to booking an appointment. If you do not have a credit card, you may purchase a pre-loaded card at Walmart or at Walgreens or any number of merchants. These work with the Stripe system we use for on-line credit card acceptance. We do not have staff in the office during non-clinic hours, therefore we cannot accept cash payments or checks in advance. The method of payment is online through this website. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH OR INSURANCE.
A text message reminder of the appoint is generated by the system
Old records may be requested if currently or recently in a Suboxone program or equivalent
Communication will be primarily in person at the time of the office visit. If you have a secure email, then communication using that format is possible.
There are no replacements for lost or stolen prescriptions. Guard these as though they were made of gold, and secured in a safe place.