At Red Leaf Wellness, our Hormone Health Program is not covered by public health care and operates on a fee-for-service (FFS) model. This means patients are responsible for appointment fees, lab tests, and prescriptions, which vary based on provider type, treatment plan complexity, and medication needs. However, there are several ways to minimize out-of-pocket costs while still receiving high-quality hormone care.

Use Your Extended Benefits for Naturopathic Consultations

If your extended health benefits include Naturopathic Doctor (ND) coverage, this can be an excellent starting point. Many insurance plans cover ND consultations and certain lab tests, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.

How an ND Can Support Your Hormone Health

  • Assess hormone imbalances through symptoms, lifestyle factors, and lab testing
  • Order private lab tests, which may be covered by some insurance plans
  • Provide treatment plans that incorporate nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes

Understanding ND Prescribing Rights

NDs’ ability to prescribe BHRT varies by province:

  • In Ontario and BC, NDs can prescribe some bioidentical hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, but not testosterone
  • In Alberta, NDs cannot prescribe any BHRT—prescriptions must come from an MD, Nurse Practitioner (NP), or prescribing pharmacist.

How This Can Reduce Your Costs

If your ND recommends BHRT but cannot prescribe it, they can document your treatment plan and required medications. You may then take this list to your family doctor, who might approve the prescriptions, helping you avoid private prescribing fees. Many pharmacists can also renew prescriptions, reducing the need for extra doctor visits.

Get Started with Our Clinic, Then Work with Your Family Doctor

A cost-effective approach is to start your treatment plan with us, then explore whether your family doctor can partially or fully take over prescribing and renewals. While not all physicians prescribe BHRT, some may be willing if they have a clear treatment strategy to follow.

How This Can Reduce Your Costs

  • Begin with expert guidance—our clinic provides a personalized BHRT plan tailored to your needs
  • Once your treatment is established, discuss your plan with your family doctor to see if they are comfortable prescribing or renewing medications

If your family doctor is open to working with your treatment plan, this can help significantly lower long-term private care costs while maintaining continuity of care.

Use Your Health Spending Account (HSA)

If you have an HSA through your employer or benefits plan, it may cover BHRT-related expenses, including consultations, lab testing, and prescriptions. Unlike traditional health benefits, an HSA provides more flexibility in how funds are allocated.

How to Maximize Your HSA for BHRT

  • Confirm with your provider whether your HSA covers private consultations, lab work, and prescriptions
  • Submit claims for eligible expenses to reduce direct costs
  • Use HSA funds strategically to help cover ongoing hormone health needs

Taking advantage of your HSA can make BHRT more accessible while easing financial strain.

Ask Your Pharmacist to Renew Your Prescription

Many bioidentical and compounded hormone prescriptions are eligible for pharmacist renewals, allowing you to extend your prescription without an additional clinic visit.

How to Save Money with Pharmacy Renewals

  • Ask your pharmacist whether your BHRT prescription qualifies for renewal
  • Some pharmacies allow renewals for a set period without requiring a clinician follow-up
  • Using pharmacist renewals helps reduce appointment costs while ensuring you stay on track with treatment

By combining insurance benefits, provider coordination, and cost-saving strategies, you can make your hormone health program more affordable while maintaining access to expert care.