Good Samaritan

About Good Samaritan

What is Good Samaritan?

Good Samaritan is a hospital system in Vincennes, Indiana. Besides the two programs covered here, it offers services including an emergency department, primary care, cardiology and surgery. Its weight loss program runs through the Good Samaritan Weight Loss Clinic and uses the New Direction System, a program of behavior modification, nutrition education and physical activity. Patients move through four phases: screening, reducing, adapting and maintenance. A team of healthcare professionals supervises each phase. No prescriber is named for the weight loss program.

Hormone care is offered as Biote Hormone Optimization, which Good Samaritan describes as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy delivered by pellets. In its own words: "Your provider at Good Samaritan inserts these pellets under the skin during a simple, in-office procedure." Dustin Blackwell, DO, is the one provider named for this service, and he is a Biote certified provider. The main campus is in Vincennes, and the practice has more than one office.

This listing is for its Vincennes office at 520 S. Seventh St..

What does it cost?

Good Samaritan does not publish prices for either program. The weight loss program links a cost sheet, so ask for that before you book. The weight loss program does not say whether its fee covers the meal replacements or any medication. It does not say whether insurance is accepted for weight loss or Biote, and no consultation fee is published. Ask for each of these in writing.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask who signs the prescription for the weight loss program, since no one is named for it, and whether that person is a physician. Ask whether the program fee includes the meal replacements, the periodic blood tests and any medication adjustments. If it does not, ask what each one costs and how often it is billed.

For Biote, ask whether the hormones in the pellets are compounded or come from a manufacturer. The service is described as using compounded hormones, so ask who makes them and how the pellets are checked. Ask how often the pellets need to be replaced, what each insertion costs, and what follow-up lab work adds.

Ask whether telehealth visits are offered, since none are described. Ask for the hours for both the weight loss and hormone services, because none are published. Finally, ask how to cancel either program, whether any fees apply, and whether a refund is possible if you stop early. The Weight Loss Clinic can be reached at 812.882.4694.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want a supervised, phased weight loss program through a hospital system, or hormone care with a named Biote certified provider, and you are willing to get prices in writing before you commit. It is a weaker fit if you need published prices, telehealth or set hours before you call.

Sources: gshvin.org, gshvin.org/services/obguide/biote-hormone-optimization, gshvin.org/services/weight-loss, gshvin.org/locations/good-samaritan-weight-loss-clinic

Services Offered