DoctorsNow

About DoctorsNow

What is DoctorsNow?

DoctorsNow is a walk-in urgent care and primary care practice in Central Iowa, with offices in Altoona, Johnston and West Des Moines. It says it has served the area since 2007. Google lists it as an urgent care center with a 4.5 rating from 791 reviews. Its other services include direct primary care, women's health, sports and DOT physicals, dermatology and cosmetic treatments.

Its Medical Weight Loss & Wellness Program is offered in Altoona and West Des Moines. It pairs prescription medication with a diet and exercise plan and uses an InBody 580 body composition scanner. The medications are GLP-1 medications and dual-peptide medications, and it does not name a specific drug. The physicians named for the program are David Stanek, DO, listed as physician and CEO, and Eric Stanek, DO, listed as physician and CMO. The clinic describes its physicians as board-certified.

This listing is for its Johnston office at 8779 Northpark Dr.

What does it cost?

There are three monthly plans. The Health & Wellness Program is $89 a month, normally $149, plus a $99 initial consultation fee. The GLP-1 plan is $299 a month, normally $399. The Dual-Peptide plan is $399 a month, normally $499. The two medication plans each carry a $99 consultation fee that DoctorsNow describes as refundable after you start. DoctorsNow says every plan includes unlimited visits at no extra cost, and that there are no contracts or long-term commitments, copays, deductibles or surprise billing.

It does not say whether the medication is part of the $299 or $399 price. Patients are asked to check pricing and supply with their insurance or pharmacy for any prescription sent to a pharmacy. DoctorsNow says it accepts most private and state insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, but it does not say whether insurance applies to this program. Labs and weigh-ins are offered as needed, and no prices are listed for them.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask whether the monthly fee includes the medication or whether a pharmacy bills it separately. Ask whether the drug is brand-name FDA-approved or compounded, and which GLP-1 or dual-peptide medication you would receive. A blog post by David Stanek discusses semaglutide and tirzepatide, but it does not say which one the clinic uses.

Ask who writes the prescription and who you will see at each visit. The general team includes nurse practitioners and a physician assistant, but the weight loss program names only the two Stanek physicians. Ask whether the program can be done by telehealth, since the clinic offers virtual care across Iowa but it does not say whether this program is offered that way. Ask what labs, follow-up visits and weigh-ins cost, and how to cancel a monthly plan. Also ask whether the $99 fee on the $89 plan is refundable, because it does not say. The weight loss line is (515) 514-1259.

Who is it a good fit for?

In its own words: "All medication decisions are made by a licensed provider based on medical necessity." Ask what that means for your own situation before you book.

This is a good fit if you live or work near Altoona or West Des Moines, want a physician-led program with medication handled through the clinic or a pharmacy, and can get written answers on the drug, the monthly total and cancellation before your first charge.

Sources: doctorsnow.com/medical-weight-loss, doctorsnow.com, doctorsnow.com/urgent-care-illness-injury, doctorsnow.com/about

Services Offered

Hours

West Des Moines 640 S. 50th St., #1100 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.