I've seen a number of threads about sourcing HCG now that (hopefully only temporarily) compounding pharmacies like Empower are prohibited from manufacturing it. I just wanted to share my recent experience getting it through Optum Specialty Pharmacy.
I had my regular consult with Dr. Saya at Defy Medical a few weeks ago, and the topic of HCG came up since I'm running low on my stash of compounded from Empower. He said they have been referring patients to Optum for Pregnyl. I had to fill out one electronic form with Defy and pay them a $30 prescription call-in fee, and then Defy sent the prescription to Optum.
The process with Optum was very easy and efficient. I had to create an online account with them and provide a little medical history. About a day after the prescription was sent, Optum emailed requesting that I call to complete the order. I spent about five minutes on the phone with a gentleman in Optum's fertility department confirming my address and the order details. He let me know that the phone call was a one-time thing since it was my first order with Optum. Future orders can be done completely online.
The total cost for 10,000iu of Pregnyl was $118.90. They include a 60-day supply of syringes for free. Shipping also is free, and takes only a few days. It is a bit more expensive than Empower, which was $96.00 for 12,000iu, but shipping with Empower was a minimum of $12.00 and could be slow at times. When you factor in Defy's prescription call-in fee, it gets more expensive, but Dr. Saya included one refill so I won't have to pay that call-in fee every time.
Breaking it down, including shipping, compounded HCG from Empower came out to about about $0.009/iu, while Pregnyl through Optum, including Defy's call-in fee (50% since you pay every other time), comes out to about $0.013/iu. Definitely more expensive, but not prohibitively so, and syringes are included with Optum.
I had my regular consult with Dr. Saya at Defy Medical a few weeks ago, and the topic of HCG came up since I'm running low on my stash of compounded from Empower. He said they have been referring patients to Optum for Pregnyl. I had to fill out one electronic form with Defy and pay them a $30 prescription call-in fee, and then Defy sent the prescription to Optum.
The process with Optum was very easy and efficient. I had to create an online account with them and provide a little medical history. About a day after the prescription was sent, Optum emailed requesting that I call to complete the order. I spent about five minutes on the phone with a gentleman in Optum's fertility department confirming my address and the order details. He let me know that the phone call was a one-time thing since it was my first order with Optum. Future orders can be done completely online.
The total cost for 10,000iu of Pregnyl was $118.90. They include a 60-day supply of syringes for free. Shipping also is free, and takes only a few days. It is a bit more expensive than Empower, which was $96.00 for 12,000iu, but shipping with Empower was a minimum of $12.00 and could be slow at times. When you factor in Defy's prescription call-in fee, it gets more expensive, but Dr. Saya included one refill so I won't have to pay that call-in fee every time.
Breaking it down, including shipping, compounded HCG from Empower came out to about about $0.009/iu, while Pregnyl through Optum, including Defy's call-in fee (50% since you pay every other time), comes out to about $0.013/iu. Definitely more expensive, but not prohibitively so, and syringes are included with Optum.
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