And Answers

You can easily schedule your QMed appointment online.

First, register as a new patient in our Patient Portal. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive an email to set up your Patient Portal account, where you can schedule appointments with our providers. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a day, contact us via phone or email.

Once registered, you can schedule a visit online through the Patient Portal. We look forward to meeting you!

Please note, you must use your legal name and gender from your ID or insurance. We apologize for any discomfort caused by the medical system’s limitations. ♥

If you have insurance, your visit may be covered. Verify if QMed accepts your insurance plan on our Plans & Costs page. Please note that additional costs may apply for copays or unmet deductibles.

For self-pay, initial visits are $299, and follow-up visits are $149. Blood tests for hormone levels are $99 each, needed up to 4 times in the first year and 1-2 times yearly thereafter. Refer to the Plans & Costs page for more details.

Regrettably, sliding scale pricing is unavailable.

Wondering what "deductible" means? Find out here:

Determining exact costs can be tricky due to varying insurance coverage. To estimate out-of-pocket expenses, use GoodRx or a similar site. Here are common medications and their typical doses:

• Testosterone cypionate: 1ml vial lasts 2-4 weeks
• Estradiol tablets: 2-6mg/day
• Estradiol patches: 0.025-0.1mg/day, applied twice weekly
• Estradiol valerate injections: 5ml vial lasts 2-3 months
• Spironolactone: 200mg/day
• Bicalutamide: 50mg/day
• Progesterone: 100mg/day

QMed accepts most major insurance plans, but Medicare and Medicaid are excluded due to federal telemedicine restrictions.

Plans we accept:

• Aetna
• Amerigroup
• Some Blue Cross plans
• Caresource
• Cigna (except for Cigna Local Plus and Cigna Connect)
• Humana
• Kaiser (requires a referral from your Kaiser PCP)
• Some Oscar plans
• Peachstate
• PHCS
• United
• Medicaid in Georgia only (no other states)

Keep in mind, unmet deductibles may require partial or full payment for your visit, which contributes to your deductible. For questions about your specific copays or deductibles, contact your insurance provider.

See our Plans & Costs page to learn more.

Wondering what "deductible" means? Find out here:

In order to process your insurance claims, prescriptions, and lab orders, it is essential that you submit all information precisely as it appears on your insurance or ID. If there's a discrepancy, we cannot prescribe medications, order lab tests, or file insurance claims.

However, we pledge to always respect your chosen name and pronouns. During your initial login, you'll be prompted to provide the name and gender pronouns you identify with.

We apologize for any discomfort caused by the medical system’s limitations. ♥

At QMed, we use an informed consent model and don't require a therapist's letter for hormone therapy. While we recommend engaging with a supportive mental health professional during transition, we understand it's not always feasible. Find trans-affirming therapists on our Resources page.

If you'd like to suggest a great therapist, please send us a message!

QMed partners with Labcorp for blood tests. Labs can be ordered during your visit – or even better – before your visit so we can discuss the results during your visit. Please allow 2-3 days for QMed to receive the results from Labcorp.

Find a Labcorp location and book a routine/non-fasting blood work appointment at labcorp.com.

Insurance might cover lab costs—check with your provider. If not, QMed offers a $99 lab package deal.

Contact us for more information or if you need a lab order prior to your visit.

We offer puberty blockers and hormone therapy for teens following a comprehensive assessment and under careful supervision, in accordance with guidelines from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the American Medical Association (AMA). This approach ensures safe, evidence-based care for our patients.

UCSF and the AMA both support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender and gender-nonconforming adolescents.

UCSF's Center of Excellence for Transgender Health provides guidelines and best practices for the treatment of transgender individuals. For adolescents, they recommend puberty suppression (puberty blockers) for those experiencing gender dysphoria in early puberty. This intervention is reversible and helps prevent the development of secondary sex characteristics that can be distressing for transgender teens. They also endorse gender-affirming hormone therapy for older adolescents who meet specific criteria, which can help with the development of physical features that align with their gender identity.

The AMA has adopted policies supporting the appropriate care for transgender individuals, including the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy, based on established clinical guidelines.

Both organizations emphasize the need for thorough evaluation, informed consent, and close monitoring of patients undergoing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Our experienced team of medical professionals is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based care. We work closely with each patient to develop a tailored treatment plan, considering their unique needs and goals.

Our team is deeply committed to delivering affirming care for individuals across the entire gender spectrum, including transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary patients. We understand the unique needs and challenges faced by each person and strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment to foster well-being and personal growth.

After completing the medical assessment and addressing any concerns, you’ll be ready for hormone therapy.

If you meet the criteria for hormone therapy, we can get you started after the first visit and labs. It may take a bit longer for individuals under 18, those with complex medical conditions, or other issues.

The most modern way to administer hormones is by subcutaneous injection. Another option is an intramuscular injection.

For a painless subcutaneous injection:

For a painless intramuscular injection:

Determining exact costs can be tricky due to varying insurance coverage. To estimate out-of-pocket expenses, use GoodRx or a similar site. Here are common medications and their typical doses:

• Testosterone cypionate: 1ml vial lasts 2-4 weeks
• Estradiol tablets: 2-6mg/day
• Estradiol patches: 0.025-0.1mg/day, applied twice weekly
• Estradiol valerate injections: 5ml vial lasts 2-3 months
• Spironolactone: 200mg/day
• Bicalutamide: 50mg/day
• Progesterone: 100mg/day

No, you do not need a paper order for Labcorp.

Your QMed practitioner will submit an electronic lab order to Labcorp. This paperless process requires no forms, and results are automatically sent to the ordering healthcare provider.

You can schedule a routine/non-fasting blood work appointment at a nearby Labcorp clinic via labcorp.com.

When visiting a Labcorp clinic, you should bring the following information with you:

• A photo ID (a driver's license or employee identification badge)
• If applicable, a current insurance identification card (Medicare, private insurance, or HMO/PPO)
• If applicable, a health spending account card, credit card, or debit card

Additional important notes to remember:

• For the QMed $99 pricing, no payment is due at Labcorp; instead, pay at your next QMed visit.
• For patients using injectable testosterone or estrogen: ensure labs are completed halfway between your shots.

No, you do not need a prescription for needles and/or syringes.

You can purchase them from your pharmacy or online (e.g., Amazon).

Order the following:

1.   1 or 1.5 inch 18g needles for drawing medicine (one per dose)
2.   25g needles for injecting medicine (one per dose)
   • 1 to 1.5 inch needles for intramuscular injections
   • 5/8 inch for subcutaneous injections
3.   3 mL syringes (one per dose)

Remember, a higher gauge number means a smaller needle.

If you have insurance, your needles and syringes may be covered. If you do not have insurance, you can pay out of pocket, and the costs are minimal.

Typically, your pharmacist can provide needles and syringes with your medication. If you have insurance, they may be covered. For self-pay, you can purchase needles and syringes from your pharmacy at a minimal cost without a prescription.

If your pharmacy does not have needles and syringes, you can purchase them online (e.g., Amazon) without a prescription.

Order the following:

1.   1 or 1.5 inch 18g needles for drawing medicine (one per dose)
2.   25g needles for injecting medicine (one per dose)
   • 1 to 1.5 inch needles for intramuscular injections
   • 5/8 inch for subcutaneous injections
3.   3 mL syringes (one per dose)

Remember, a higher gauge number means a smaller needle.

You do not need a letter from us to legally change your name.

For a gender marker change, Dr. Lowell will gladly provide an official letter containing the necessary language.

To begin the process, request a letter either during your visit or by emailing [email protected]. While you can make the request to any of our practitioners, Dr. Lowell is the one responsible for writing the letter.

The process for changing a legal name and/or updating a gender marker depends on where you live, where you were born, and other individual circumstances and needs.

Here are the best places to learn more and get started:

An Overview of the Name and Gender Marker Change Process in the United States

Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records

Our fax number is: (877) 480-9635

You can also reach us by phone: (404) 445-0350

Or email: [email protected]