Whole Woman Health

About Whole Woman Health

What is Whole Woman Health?

Whole Woman Health is a women's health practice at 4507 Forest Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. Hormone care is its main focus. Its hormone service covers replacement therapy and balancing, including thyroid and adrenal, alongside gynecological care, annual well woman exams, family planning, gastrointestinal health, an EmSella pelvic floor chair, and Shape ReClaimed, a homeopathic formula the clinic markets for reducing excess weight. Lisa Kamphuis, ARNP, is the only prescriber named. Before opening her own practice in 2002, she worked as a nurse practitioner in a family planning clinic and then in a traditional women's health clinic.

The clinic names Climara patches, progesterone and BioTe pellets among its hormone options. In its own words: "Whole Woman Health is committed to taking the natural approach to hormone therapy, treating patients with bio-identical hormones rather than synthetic hormones." Its blog also refers to compounded hormones, including pellets. The office is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM, and Tuesday by appointment. Google lists the practice at 4.3 from 11 reviews.

What does it cost?

It does not accept insurance and works on cash pay only. It left its in-network contracts with United Healthcare and Wellmark BCBS on January 1, 2023, but says it will provide an out-of-network claim form if your plan has out-of-network benefits.

The initial consult is $252.50. Follow-up visits run $112 to $221, depending on time and complexity. An annual exam is $180 for a new patient and $150 for an existing patient. Shape ReClaimed starts with a $190 initial consult and a $70 follow-up.

Pellets are the only hormone treatment with a published price. Women's pellets are $350 for three to five months. For larger men, the clinic lists $650 and $750 for five to six months. It does not say whether these prices include the medication. It publishes no price for a hormone visit on its own, and no lab prices, though it says it orders blood work. The EmSella chair is not covered by insurance, and the clinic offers starter packages of six sessions, but it publishes no price for them.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask whether the pellet price covers the hormone itself, the insertion and the follow-up visits. Ask which product each prescription uses, brand name or compounded, since the clinic refers to both BioTe pellets and compounded hormones. Ask who writes and manages your prescriptions, and whether Lisa Kamphuis, ARNP, is the prescriber for your care.

Its blog notes that pellets cannot be taken out if a patient does not like the reaction, so ask what the plan is if that happens. Ask what follow-up visits and blood work will cost in total, and whether the six-session EmSella package can be cancelled or refunded. The clinic does not describe its cancellation or refund terms. It also does not say whether it offers telehealth, so ask before you travel for a visit.

If you are looking for a GLP-1 medical weight loss program or peptide therapy, ask directly, because the clinic names neither.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want hormone care from a nurse practitioner in Des Moines, want a women's health practice that also handles gynecological and annual care, and are prepared to pay cash for each visit. If you are looking for a GLP-1 weight loss program or peptide therapy, the clinic does not list either, so it may not match what you need.

Sources: wholewomanhealthdsm.com, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/hormones, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/services, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/contact, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/blog/my-hormone-journey, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/about, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/blog/is-testosterone-just-for-sex, wholewomanhealthdsm.com/pricing

Services Offered

Hours

MON – 9AM TO 5PM TUE – BY APPOINTMENT WED – 9AM TO 5PM THU – 9AM TO 5PM FRI – 9AM TO 3PM

Location