We do not accept insurance. The services provided at High Country Wellness are not covered by most private insurance policies or Medicare. Our service prices do include consultation with our medical providers and some medications.
FAQ
We require 48 hours notice for all appointment cancellations. There is a $50 cancellation fee for any appointment cancelled less than 48 hours in advance. If you miss or “NO SHOW” an initial consultation without cancelling in advance, there is a $50 cancellation fee and the remainder of the prepayment will be applied to rebooking of the appointment. If you miss or “NO SHOW” a follow up appointment, there is a $50 cancellation fee.
Click “BOOK NOW” at the top right of the screen and book online for an in person or virtual appointment. Payment is required at the time of booking.
All appointments require prepayment. We accept major credit and debit cards including HSA/FSA cards. There is a $50 fee for any returned payments. We do not accept personal checks.
No, semaglutide and tirzepatide are NOT a type of insulin or a substitute for insulin. Semaglutide and tirzepatide DO stimulate your pancreas to release insulin when glucose (sugar) is present. Because these medications rely upon your body’s own insulin to have this effect, these medications are not used when your pancreas can’t make insulin, such as in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that regulates blood sugar by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Insulin is a hormone that promotes sugar uptake by the cells, stores sugar as glycogen, promotes the building of fat, and signals the body to build skeletal muscle. In addition, GLP-1 inhibits glucagon release (which slows down the release of sugar into the blood so that you burn more fat), slows down gastric emptying (makes you feel full), and lowers the desire for food intake (decreases your appetite).
GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide help to control your blood sugar, but people taking them also tend to lose weight. GLP-1, the key hormone involved, slows down how fast your stomach empties food (called gastric emptying) and in addition to causing your pancreas to release insulin, Semaglutide also blocks a hormone that causes your liver to release sugar (glucagon). Together, these functions can help you feel less hungry, causing you to eat less food and lose more weight.
Tirzepatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. It works by acting like GLP-1 and GIP, 2 hormones released by your gut after you eat to help you control blood sugar. These hormones tell your body to release more insulin, release less sugar, and slow down digestion. These actions help lower blood sugar levels.
No, semaglutide and tirzepatide are NOT stimulants. While other weight loss medications, like phentermine, have stimulating effects that help curb your appetite, semaglutide and tirzepatide work differently as discussed above.
Yes, it is believed that semaglutide and tirzepatide can help curb your appetite. In addition to slowing gastric emptying to make you feel full for longer, GLP-1 also plays a direct role in how your appetite is regulated.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not currently covered by MOST insurance for people who are not type 2 diabetics. However, you CAN get these medications through one of our medical weight loss plans. If your insurance plan DOES cover these medications for weight loss, we recommend discussing a prescription with your primary care provider.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both weekly injections in the abdomen or thigh.
Most importantly, alcohol intake should be limited while on these medications. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar, and there is a risk that it may drop too low when combined with semaglutide or tirzepatide. This is especially true if you are drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol can be irritating to the stomach lining, which can potentially make you feel worse in combination with some of the gastrointestinal side effects of the medication.
Since semaglutide and tirzepatide slow down gastric emptying, absorption of certain medications may be impacted. Clinical trials have not shown this to be a significant concern with semaglutide and tirzepatide, however make sure to answer all of the questions on our intake form and notify us of any changes in your medications or your medical history.
During clinical trials the most common side effects were:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Indigestion or acid reflux