Maximus vs Fountain TRT: Real Costs, Labs, Refunds and Who Each One Fits (2026)

Last verified: November 2026 · By TRT Provider Guide · Editorial research, not clinically reviewed · Educational information, not medical advice

Last updated: November 9, 2026.

Maximus vs Fountain TRT comes down to care, payment timing and commitment. Fountain bundles visits and required monitoring; Maximus lists oral testosterone and discounted long plans. Fountain's $1,799 plan covers 48 weeks, while Maximus advertises $99.99 monthly equivalents. Neither headline price settles your full first-year bill. Confirm the quote and exit terms before committing.

Best for: adult men comparing cash-pay care for low testosterone. Not a treatment decision yet if: testing or near-term fertility care is unresolved.

So the real question isn't which one is cheaper. It's how sure you are that you'll still want this plan nine months from now.

There's also a date to ask about before a plan runs into 2027: December 31, 2026. We'll get to why.

Pick Fountain if:

• Your state and planned treatment are covered.
• You want a live video visit, and medication and required monitoring grouped into one price.
• Its policy on unused prepaid future treatment matters to you, and you have confirmed the applicable refund terms.¹²³⁴

Pick Maximus if:

• A discounted longer plan fits your budget after you add all required costs.
• You want to discuss Maximus's explicitly identified oral testosterone program. Fountain mentions oral testosterone but does not identify the product in its treatment list.
• You live outside Fountain's listed states and Maximus confirms it can serve yours.⁵⁶⁷¹³

Get the right evaluation before committing to treatment if:

• Low testosterone hasn't been confirmed with appropriate repeat morning testing. Either provider's evaluation may still be an option; a missing diagnosis does not by itself require a specialist.
• You're trying to have a child soon; speak with a urologist or reproductive urologist first.
• You have a history of prostate or breast cancer, elevated hematocrit (a high share of red blood cells), or untreated severe sleep apnea; discuss these with the relevant clinician before choosing a treatment program.⁸

TRT Provider Guide is the independent decision resource for testosterone replacement therapy — helping U.S. adults understand how low testosterone is evaluated, compare online and local care models and providers, and choose the next step that fits their health needs, fertility plans, budget, state, and care preferences, with every material claim verified and dated.

Which companies these are: "Maximus" here means Maximus (maximustribe.com), often called Maximus Tribe. "Fountain" means FountainTRT from Fountain Vitality at fountain.net; older material remains accessible at fountaintrt.com. It is not Fountain Life, which is a different company.⁹¹⁰

Call 911 for chest pain, serious trouble breathing or sudden weakness on one side. An erection lasting four hours or longer needs emergency assessment, even if it is not painful.¹¹¹²

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Maximus vs Fountain TRT at a glance

Maximus lists cream, injectable and oral testosterone, plus a separate enclomiphene program. Fountain's named options are injections, cream and enclomiphene, with visits and required monitoring bundled except for its stated laboratory exception. Compare the exact treatment, full quote and cancellation terms before choosing.^5671312

Provider-stated offers and policies, checked November 5, 2026. These are base prices, not complete individual care quotes.^{567131617181920123421}

The right TRT provider is not the same for every person. It depends on several things:

• whether low testosterone has been properly evaluated
• your symptoms and health history
• your fertility plans
• your state
• your insurance or cash-pay preference
• your treatment-format preference
• your budget
• whether online or in-person care is the better starting point

Some situations belong with primary care, urology, endocrinology, reproductive urology, or urgent or emergency care when the symptoms warrant it. A general answer can't sort those out for you. Use TRT Provider Guide's Find My TRT Path tool to check age/state eligibility for the featured Male Excel TRT offer. Use the care-route guidance above when primary care or a specialist is the better starting point. It's educational, not a diagnosis, and it doesn't decide whether a clinician will prescribe.

Disclosure: TRT Provider Guide has disclosed commercial relationships with Male Excel and Hone Health and may earn from qualifying referrals. Existing comparison and research links remain direct information links. The Male Excel offer link is a paid referral; we may earn a commission from qualifying enrollments. Commercial relationships never change our facts or verdicts. Affiliate disclosure · How We Review TRT Providers.

Already know which one sounds like you?

→ Check Fountain's current plans · Check its state list
→ See Maximus's current plan prices by treatment

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Which one should you choose?

Fountain may fit if you value visits and required monitoring grouped into a membership and its terms work for you. Maximus may fit if its treatment choices and quoted total make a longer commitment worthwhile. Get a proper evaluation before a treatment commitment, and seek fertility-focused care if you plan to conceive soon.¹²⁵⁶⁷⁸

Here's our call, based on the facts below. Fountain is our pick if included visits and monitoring matter more to you than the lowest advertised base rate. Confirm the laboratory exception and refund terms before paying. Maximus is worth comparing for its discounted longer plans and explicitly identified oral testosterone program. A lower base rate does not establish the lower full bill, and this comparison does not establish which provider delivers safer medical care.

Find your row:

Fit judgments use the dated provider offers, policies and clinical guidance cited above; they do not guarantee eligibility, savings or an outcome.⁴¹⁷²²

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What does Maximus vs Fountain TRT really cost in year one?

Maximus advertises cream and injections from $99.99 a month on its current 9- and 10-month offers, while Fountain lists $199 per 4 weeks or $1,799 per 48 weeks. The illustrations below compare posted rates and payment timing, with three hypothetical $99 Maximus kits; they are not complete first-year quotes. Confirm testing, visits, the exact treatment and renewal terms before choosing on price.⁵⁶¹

Banner prices don't line up, so we rebuilt them on the same footing. Here's what each company publishes right now.

Maximus: price depends on how long you lock in

Non-testosterone alternative

For this non-testosterone program, Maximus's enclomiphene guide says labs are included, while its lab policy says follow-up testing costs extra. Get the lab charges for your selected offer in writing.¹⁵¹⁶

The longer plans are billed in one payment on the day you buy (Klarna installments are offered). Maximus says prices vary by dose and may vary slightly by state. Shipping is free.⁵⁶⁷¹³

These are the current storefront offers. An older help-center price sheet lists different terms, and the Savings Plan agreement describes monthly installments; confirm the agreement and renewal terms for the exact card you select.²³¹⁷

Maximus says follow-up labs cost extra. Testing is required before you start, then at 1 month, 3 months and 12 months; a $99 at-home kit is one option. Your clinician can order more. Recent outside labs (within 6 months) can be uploaded for free if they include the required markers. Some protocols need a fuller panel at Quest, which runs $19.99–$115.¹⁶

The standalone kit page lists $99.99, while the lab policy lists $99.¹⁴¹⁶ The policy also conflicts on which markers its kit covers. Confirm the collection method, charged amount and complete panel before treating either price as the full testing cost.¹⁶

Fountain: one membership, three ways to pay

Fountain says the membership covers medication, shipping, concierge support and provider visits. It also covers required lab monitoring, except where state law prohibits it. You can use a local Labcorp or upgrade to at-home collection; confirm any extra charge. Fountain doesn't publish the evaluation price on its program page.²¹ A Fountain reply on Trustpilot in September 2026 described a $35 assessment, so confirm the current amount at checkout.²⁴ Fountain's page also promises you pay nothing for the evaluation if a provider says you don't qualify.¹

Fountain Starter bills every 4 weeks, not every calendar month. That's 13 four-week periods in 52 weeks; a new subscriber charged on day 0 is charged again on day 364 if the plan continues.¹

Our year-one model: a hypothetical rate illustration

We put the posted rates on one yardstick without treating them as a purchasable 12-month plan. For Maximus, this hypothetical model uses 12 times the displayed monthly equivalent plus three assumed $99 kits (start, 1 month, 3 months). These are comparison figures we calculated, not invoices.

Math: Maximus = displayed monthly equivalent × 12 + a hypothetical $297 testing allowance. Fountain = plan price × 365 ÷ days covered. The Maximus illustration assumes its displayed rate can be extended through 12 months, which the current 9- and 10-month cards do not establish; it excludes the month-12 test, any separate confirmatory or additional tests, and unverified visit fees. Fountain's evaluation charge, optional collection upgrades and state-law lab exceptions are also excluded. Add any applicable charges or taxes in the written quote.^5671621

What this means: under these assumptions, Maximus's long-plan rate illustration is about $457 lower than Fountain Pro's rate equivalent. At the assumed monthly rates, Maximus cream comes out about $137 less than Fountain Starter, and Maximus injections about $103 more. These differences are not verified first-year savings or proof of which provider costs less for you.

The cash-calendar catch nobody mentions

The model above compares rate equivalents, not what a year of care necessarily costs. Your bank account sees something different, because prepaid plans renew in big lumps.

Assumes purchase on day 0, observation through day 364, unchanged prices and renewal as the same plan. The Maximus rows show subscription payments only; no separate lab or video-visit fees have been added. Its Savings Plan terms describe renewal at the then-current rate; confirm your offer's renewal price and term.¹⁷²⁵

Fountain Pro's second $1,799 charge lands on day 336, still inside your first year. That's not a hidden fee. It's prepaying for most of year two. Just don't let it surprise you.

The honest trade-off on Maximus

Maximus's general subscription policy makes longer commitments nonrefundable in ordinary cancellation, with exceptions described below. Its policy says so, and it suggests new patients start month to month. If the freedom to quit is your priority, Fountain may be the better fit, because its policy allows refunds for unused prepaid treatment months.²⁵⁴ Maximus's current cards advertise $99.99 a month for cream or injections on the longer terms. That's roughly $92 per 4 weeks at a 365-day annualized rate, against Fountain's about $150 per 4 weeks; the inclusions differ, so it is not an all-in comparison.⁵⁶¹

If that lock-in makes you uneasy, you have two good routes. One is Maximus's month-to-month plan for the first 1–3 months while you and your clinician assess the protocol. The other is Fountain.²⁵

If committing to save fits how you operate, see Maximus's current plan lengths and prices.

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What happens if you cancel, or it isn't working?

At Fountain, you can cancel anytime by text or email, and its policy allows a pro-rated refund of unused prepaid treatment months; shipped medication and completed care are excluded. At Maximus, month-to-month plans end after the current paid period when you turn off renewal. Longer commitments normally remain payable, subject to the applicable exceptions below.⁴²⁵

Doses may be adjusted after follow-up labs, and some people just don't like the routine. Here's an illustration of the charges already paid if you request cancellation at about 8 weeks, before the next renewal; it is not a refund quote.²⁶

Assumes two monthly charges for Maximus's monthly plan, two four-week charges for Fountain Starter, and one upfront charge for each longer-plan example, plus two hypothetical $99 Maximus kits. These figures exclude evaluation fees, additional tests, separate visit charges and Fountain's stated lab/collection exceptions. They are not amounts you necessarily lose: Fountain does not publish its exact pro-rata formula, and Maximus exception eligibility depends on the applicable agreement.¹⁶¹⁷²⁴

Maximus exceptions:

• Health exception. Its Subscription Savings Plan terms let you stop further charges if a healthcare provider decides you can't continue for health reasons. You may need to show documentation. Shipped medication still isn't refunded.¹⁷
• Testosterone Treatment Guarantee. This applies to select plans only, and the conditions are strict:
  • Your total testosterone must test below 300 ng/dL at 90 days (±7 days), through a qualifying CLIA-certified lab and with the instructed dose-to-draw timing.
  • You must be on an unchanged dose for at least 14 days, have completed a clinician dose review, and have followed any resulting adjustments.
  • You must follow your prescribed protocol, submit every refill questionnaire on time, and respond to all scheduled nurse check-ins during the 90-day period.
  • You must ask within 7 days of receiving your 90-day lab result.
  • Approval is discretionary; if granted, it covers only that 90-day period's service fees, excluding labs, consultations and add-ons.
  • It's not a risk-free trial.¹⁷
• Program discontinuation. The terms also contain conflicting provisions for termination and discontinued-program refunds. See the telehealth section and confirm how they apply to your offer.¹⁷

Fountain exceptions: Fountain won't refund shipments or care already given. Its program page advertises an evaluation money-back promise for patients a provider finds ineligible; a dated company reply describes broader assessment-refund eligibility, so confirm the terms of your offer.⁴¹²⁴

Fountain's public pages are not fully consistent. Its still-accessible fountaintrt.com terms describe separate lab billing and nonrefundable treatment, including unused treatment.²⁷ The fountain.net homepage includes required TRT monitoring except where state law prohibits it, while its separate refund policy allows pro-rata refunds of prepaid future treatment months, excluding shipments and completed care.²⁴ Confirm the lab charges and cancellation terms attached to your order before paying.

Cancelling a plan isn't the same as stopping a medicine. Don't start, stop or change testosterone on your own. Ask the prescribing clinician how to handle the transition and get your records.²⁶

Want the option to change your mind? Review Fountain's evaluation steps and confirm your state and evaluation price before paying.

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The December 31, 2026 telehealth deadline: why it matters for long plans

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance.²⁸ Through December 31, 2026, the current federal extension allows DEA-registered practitioners to prescribe it through qualifying audio-video telemedicine without a prior in-person evaluation, subject to applicable federal and state law.²² Requirements after that date are not yet settled, so confirm continuity of care and refund terms before choosing a prepaid plan that runs beyond the extension.²⁹

Schedule III means the federal government controls testosterone more tightly than ordinary prescriptions. You need a valid prescription, and online prescribing has extra rules.²⁸

What was confirmed on November 5, 2026:

Why this matters for prepaid plans:

• Fountain: Its policy allows a prorated refund for future prepaid treatment months when you cancel. Medication already shipped and care already provided are not refundable.⁴
• Maximus: Cancelling a commitment plan generally leaves the remaining payment obligation in place, subject to stated exceptions. Its terms allow termination after a regulatory change and say unused portions are non-refundable unless explicitly stated otherwise; a separate program-discontinuation clause promises prorated refunds for unused services, unless prohibited by law. Ask which provision would apply to your plan if prescribing rules interrupt care.¹⁷

Ask this in writing before you prepay: “If your clinicians cannot continue prescribing to me after December 31, 2026, how will you arrange continuity of care, and what happens to unused services I have already paid for?” Save the answer.

This is a stability check, not a reason to panic. If flexibility matters, compare month-to-month billing with Fountain's stated refunds for unused prepaid future treatment.

Compare the Maximus terms and Fountain refund policy alongside the latest DEA telemedicine announcement.

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Are Maximus and Fountain offering the same treatment?

Both list testosterone injections, testosterone cream and enclomiphene, which is a different medicine.³²¹ Maximus identifies compounded oral native testosterone; Fountain also mentions oral testosterone, but its program page does not identify the exact oral product.⁷¹ Confirm the medicine, ingredients and approval or compounding status of your proposed prescription before paying.

Testosterone therapies

Non-testosterone alternatives and adjuncts

Sources: Maximus treatment and product pages, Fountain's program page, and Fountain's enclomiphene information.^3271312133

FDA-approved vs compounded, in plain words:

• An FDA-approved product went through FDA review for safety, effectiveness and quality before it was sold.
• A compounded medicine is prepared by combining, mixing or altering ingredients for a medical need. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not verify their safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing.³⁴

Maximus prints this disclosure on its product pages. It also says its compounded medicines come from licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies.⁷¹³

The oral testosterone distinction matters. FDA-approved oral testosterone products exist. Maximus's oral testosterone is a compounded formula, not one of those approved products, so don't treat them as the same thing.³⁵⁷ Maximus also requires a live video visit before starting its oral-testosterone program.¹⁸

On Fountain, ask one direct question: “Is my medication FDA-approved or compounded, and which pharmacy fills it?” Fountain's terms say you can send your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice. If you prefer an FDA-approved product, ask the prescriber whether an appropriate product can be prescribed and filled there; changing pharmacies alone does not establish interchangeability, and price and coverage may change.⁹³⁴

Enclomiphene is not testosterone, and it's not "natural TRT." It's a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It can signal your body to make more of its own testosterone instead of replacing it.³⁶³⁷ Key facts:

• Compounded enclomiphene preparations are not FDA-approved.³⁴
• In June 2022, FDA proposed against including enclomiphene citrate on the 503A bulks list during advisory-committee review.³⁸
• FDA's currently linked list, updated May 14, 2026, still places enclomiphene citrate in Category 1, under evaluation. FDA's interim enforcement policy has conditions; this status is not drug approval or a blanket determination about every compounded preparation.³⁹⁴⁰

It's a different medicine with different trade-offs, not a milder version of TRT.

If a choice of formats matters, compare the public Maximus treatment information and Fountain program information, then confirm the exact proposed prescription.

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Maximus vs Fountain for fertility: what you need to know first

Testosterone therapy from either company can lower sperm production, and the Endocrine Society advises against starting it in men planning to have children soon.⁸³⁷ Both providers market enclomiphene alone and alongside testosterone.³²²¹³³ Maximus reports preserved LH and FSH in company-authored studies, but those hormone findings do not demonstrate preserved sperm production or pregnancy outcomes.⁴¹⁴²

Testosterone from outside the body can tell your brain to slow your own production. That can also slow spermatogenesis, the making of sperm.³⁷ Maximus's own cream and injection pages warn about fertility effects.⁵⁶

Sources: Maximus product and study pages, and Fountain's enclomiphene-alone information and TRT-adjunct information. Provider marketing claims are not evidence that a regimen will preserve an individual's fertility.^{56434142442133}

Neither company can promise you'll stay fertile, or that fertility will come back on a set timeline. Nobody can.³⁷

If you are trying to conceive or planning children soon, discuss treatment with a urologist or reproductive urologist before starting testosterone. Ask whether a semen analysis is appropriate for you; our TRT and fertility guide explains the care questions. If you are unsure where your situation fits, use Find My TRT Path to check age/state eligibility for the featured Male Excel TRT offer; a clinician must establish the diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Labs and diagnosis: how each one tests you

Low testosterone should be diagnosed from symptoms or signs plus consistently low levels, confirmed with repeat morning testing; the Endocrine Society recommends morning fasting confirmation.⁸ Maximus lists a home kit, Quest draws or qualifying outside labs, and charges separately for its lab testing.¹⁶ Fountain uses Labcorp or an at-home collection upgrade and includes required monitoring in the membership, except where prohibited by state law.¹²

The Endocrine Society's guideline, and the American Urological Association's, set the bar:

• symptoms or signs of low testosterone
• low results confirmed by repeat morning testing with an accurate lab test⁸⁴⁵

One number isn't enough. The AUA uses a total testosterone below 300 ng/dL on two separate early-morning tests as a reasonable cut-off, alongside symptoms or signs. A questionnaire can't diagnose you, and neither can one result.⁴⁵

What the lab words mean:

• Total testosterone: all the testosterone in your blood.
• Free testosterone: the part not bound to proteins.
• SHBG (sex hormone–binding globulin): a protein that holds testosterone. It helps estimate free testosterone.
• LH and FSH: signals from your brain that tell the testicles to make testosterone and sperm. They help show why testosterone is low.
• Hematocrit: how much of your blood is red blood cells. Testosterone can push it too high.
• PSA: a prostate marker your clinician may assess according to your age, risk and monitoring plan.⁸⁴⁵

Sources: Maximus lab policy, Fountain program information and Fountain membership inclusions.¹⁶¹²

Maximus's lab page gives inconsistent descriptions of how much the at-home kit covers. Confirm which collection method supplies your complete required panel; do not assume every patient must buy the kit.¹⁶

Ask both before you pay: “Will you confirm a low result with a second early-morning test before prescribing, and what will that test cost?” That's the guideline standard, and it helps protect you from treating a one-off bad day. Diagnostic confirmation and monitoring after treatment starts serve different purposes.⁸⁴⁵

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Who will you actually talk to?

Fountain starts with a 20-minute live video visit and includes ongoing video visits and text access to your provider.¹² Maximus says its programs use U.S.-based, board-certified physicians and requires a live video visit before oral testosterone.⁴⁶¹⁸ Ask which visits your plan includes, what they cost, and how to reach the prescribing clinician.

Fountain:

• Who provides care: Independent medical groups (Duval Medical, P.A., Quaker Ridge Medical, PLLC, Avalon Medical, PC and Redwood Medical, PC). Fountain runs the platform. Its terms say providers can include nurse practitioners.⁹
• Medical leadership: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Doron Stember, a board-certified urologist, according to Fountain.¹²
• Clinical availability: Fountain's consent lists telehealth services 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It also says providers are typically available daily for follow-up questions and visit scheduling; confirm your clinician's hours.⁴⁷
• Concierge support: A team available 24/7 by text, separate from clinical care. Fountain says it typically replies within 10 minutes. That's support, not round-the-clock doctor access.¹

Maximus:

• Who provides care: Affiliated "Maximus Medical Group Practices" provide clinical services through the platform. Maximus describes its clinicians as U.S.-based, board-certified physicians.¹⁷⁴⁶
• How prescribing works: Maximus says a licensed doctor reviews your intake and labs, finalizes the prescription and is reachable by message.²⁶⁵
• Video visits:
  • A live video visit is required before oral testosterone.¹⁸
  • Its enclomiphene guide says any protocol containing testosterone requires a video evaluation. For cream and injections, confirm how the visit is arranged, whether it is included, and what it costs.¹⁵
  • Its Subscription Savings Plan terms exclude video consultations "where applicable."¹⁷
  • Missing a scheduled video visit can cost a $20 no-show fee.¹⁷
• Leadership: Maximus identifies founder and CEO S. Cameron Sepah as a PhD clinical psychologist and says prescribing is done by physicians.⁴⁶

Why the live visit matters: Your clinician's assessment and applicable prescribing rules determine which visits or examinations are needed. Ask whether the service can arrange the care your situation requires.⁴⁷¹⁸

Refills and records: Maximus says refill approval depends on completing the steps requested for your protocol, which may include current labs, a renewal questionnaire, clinician review and a video evaluation. Missing requirements can delay approval, and early refills are not guaranteed.²⁶

Fountain members can review health information in the portal or request a copy or transfer of records through support@fountain.net or 1-833-967-3100. Its consent allows reasonable preparation, shipping and delivery charges.⁴⁷ Ask Maximus for its records-export instructions, and confirm refill and records timelines with either service before transferring care.

If included ongoing video visits matter to you, review Fountain's clinician access.

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Where are Maximus and Fountain available?

Fountain lists 25 states.³ We didn't find a complete testosterone state list on the Maximus pages we reviewed; its oral-testosterone guidance ties availability to clinician licensing.¹⁸ A listed state doesn't guarantee a prescription; a clinician still decides.⁴⁷²⁶

Fountain's 25 states (from its FAQ, checked November 5, 2026):³

Not on the published list? Confirm Fountain's current availability before paying. If the service cannot treat you in your state, consider Maximus or the options in "If neither one fits," after checking their availability.

Maximus:

• Its help center says oral testosterone is available only where its clinicians are licensed.¹⁸
• Its pages note prices may vary slightly by state.⁵
• Maximus says its account shows current eligibility for oral testosterone. Confirm your state and intended treatment before you buy a long plan.¹⁸

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Insurance, HSA/FSA and pharmacy choice

Neither company takes insurance; both are cash-pay.²⁰¹ Maximus's product pages list HSA/FSA eligibility, while Fountain's terms promise an itemized invoice and pharmacy choice.⁵⁹ If insurance coverage matters, check your plan's exact requirements and the prescribed product before comparing costs.

• Maximus:
  • Cash only, no insurance.²⁰
  • HSA/FSA eligible, according to its product pages. Confirm the rules for your particular account with its administrator.⁵²⁰
  • Medication ships from partner compounding pharmacies, and the assigned pharmacy can vary.⁴⁸
• Fountain:
  • Cash only; it says plainly that no insurance is involved.¹
  • Its terms promise an itemized invoice before you buy and say you can choose your pharmacy. Ask which exact product can be prescribed and how using your own pharmacy affects the membership price.⁹
  • We didn't find an HSA/FSA statement on the pages we read, so ask.
• If insurance coverage matters: Ask your insurer whether the exact medication, lab tests and visits are covered, which clinicians and pharmacies are in network, and whether prior authorization is required. Check your deductible and cost sharing, then compare the total with the cash-pay quote.

For the wider care decision, compare online TRT clinic vs local doctor, including appointment access, testing and total cost.

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What we actually verified

On November 5, 2026, we read both companies' current public offers and policies and checked the relevant clinical, FDA and DEA sources. We recalculated the rate, payment-calendar and cancellation examples. We did not buy treatment, create accounts or test support.

Provider statements checked against the companies' own pages (November 5, 2026):

• The displayed plan prices, plan lengths and billing intervals used in the examples
• Maximus's lab-policy and storefront kit prices, published testing schedule, required markers and Quest price range, plus conflicting panel descriptions and enclomiphene lab-inclusion wording
• Maximus's refund, auto-renewal and Subscription Savings Plan terms, including the health exception and the Testosterone Treatment Guarantee conditions
• Maximus's compounding disclosure and its live-video requirement for oral testosterone
• Fountain's membership inclusions, state-law lab exception, 25-state list, cancellation and pro-rata refund wording, including conflicts with its still-accessible legacy pages
• Fountain's medical groups, nurse practitioner disclosure, clinical hours and records-request process

Verified from official sources:

• Testosterone's Schedule III status, and the DEA telehealth extension through December 31, 2026
• FDA's explanation that compounded preparations are not FDA-approved, and its dated enclomiphene compounding-list materials
• FDA's June 8, 2026 warning letter to Maximus. It concerned website claims about compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide (weight-loss drugs), including calling pharmacies "FDA approved." It did not make testosterone-specific findings. We didn't find a public close-out letter; that does not establish the company's current response or resolution status.⁴⁹

Provider-stated (not independently tested):

• Maximus's study results and fertility-marker claims
• Fountain's advertised support response time
• Both companies' clinician credentials beyond what's described above

Calculated by us:

• The rate comparison, cash calendar and amounts-paid cancellation examples, with assumptions shown beside them

Not confirmed:

• Fountain's current evaluation price
• Fountain's exact testosterone products, including what its oral-testosterone mention refers to, their approval status and dispensing pharmacies
• Maximus's full testosterone state list
• Whether Maximus charges for video visits on cream or injection plans
• Exactly how Fountain calculates pro-rata refunds
• Either company's arrangements after December 31, 2026
• The license and prescribing authority of a clinician who would be assigned to an individual reader, and that reader's actual dispensing pharmacy

Not done:

• Hands-on treatment, support response tests or refund attempts

How we work: How We Review TRT Providers. This comparison does not assign scores or star ratings. Our editorial standards explain source handling; our corrections policy explains how to report an error.

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Final verdict: Maximus or Fountain?

Fountain may fit readers in its listed states who value a live visit, required monitoring included and a policy for refunding unused prepaid treatment months. Maximus may fit readers who prefer its explicitly identified oral program or lower advertised base rates and accept the relevant commitment. If low testosterone is unconfirmed or near-term fertility is a priority, resolve those questions with an appropriate clinician before choosing treatment.¹³⁴⁷⁸

For either provider: If fertility is on your mind and you want to discuss enclomiphene-based options with a clinician, read the fertility section first.

Choose Fountain if…

• You live in one of its 25 states.
• You want a face-to-face video visit to start and ongoing visits included.
• You'd rather not track routine lab bills, since required monitoring is part of the membership, subject to its stated exclusions.²
• You want to prepay for a lower rate but keep the option to request a pro-rated refund of unused future treatment months.⁴

Easiest thing to miss: Starter has a four-week billing cycle, and Pro renews after 48 weeks, before your first anniversary if you continue.¹

Does that sound like your situation? Review Fountain's evaluation and check its state list. You pay nothing for the evaluation if a provider says you don't qualify.¹

Choose Maximus if…

• You want a lower advertised base rate and can commit for 9–10 months.⁵⁶
• You want oral testosterone, or a choice of testosterone formats plus a separate enclomiphene option.⁷¹³

Easiest thing to miss: $99.99 is a 9- or 10-month price paid upfront on the current cards. Ordinary cancellation does not erase the commitment; see the exceptions above. Testing and any separate visit charges still need an itemized quote.⁵⁶²⁵¹⁶

If that fits what you're looking for, review Maximus's current treatment plans and assessment steps. Our tip: consider month to month for your first 1–3 months, then review the longer plan once you and your clinician have assessed your response.²⁵

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If neither one fits

If neither named provider fits, compare the requirement that ruled it out. Male Excel publishes no-contract plans with membership and medicine priced separately; Hone Plus bundles follow-up but charges for medicine. Taurus advertises a $49 test-and-consultation offer, but a low starting price does not settle the complete care bill.⁵⁰⁵¹⁵²

These are provider-stated alternatives, not a clinical ranking. Check state access, the exact medicine and all required charges before paying. The original pricing and research links below remain direct information links; the separately labeled Male Excel offer is a paid referral. Our commercial relationships are disclosed above.

Male Excel: no-contract plans with a dedicated provider

• Cost:
  • $99 online consultation to start.
  • $99/month medical membership with unlimited provider e-visits and support-team messaging.
  • Injections from $120/month or cream from $132/month, billed as a 60-day supply every other month, plus shipping.
  • Triclozene, its compounded clomiphene-based oral, is listed from $95/month. The same pricing page also displays $120/month elsewhere for that product, so confirm the quote. It is not testosterone. Clomiphene use in men is off-label; the approved tablet's indication is ovulatory dysfunction in women seeking pregnancy. A compounded preparation does not inherit that product's FDA approval.⁵⁰⁵³³⁴
• Plan terms: No contract, cancel anytime. HSA/FSA eligible, according to Male Excel.⁵⁰
• Worth knowing:
  • Its listed injectable and cream packages include a thyroid tablet. Ask your provider why, and whether your labs support it.
  • Its medicines are compounded.
  • It notes some states may require an in-person exam.
• Next step: Compare Male Excel's current membership and medication prices. See Male Excel’s current TRT offer →.

Hone Health: built-in confirmatory testing, month to month

• Cost:
  • Plus: $45 initial test, then $45 at-lab or $80 at-home confirmation if TRT is being considered; $135/month membership.
  • Premium: $65 initial laboratory panel, $25 laboratory confirmation if TRT is being considered, and $155/month membership.
  • Both plans describe included follow-up visits and testing. A second-test step alone does not prove the full diagnostic process; ask about morning timing and clinical assessment.
  • Testosterone medication is extra: the Plus page lists testosterone cypionate injections from $28 per vial and compounded testosterone cream at $60/month. The prescribed quantity determines the injection bill.
  • Non-testosterone option: compounded enclomiphene from $42/month, also extra.⁵¹⁵⁴⁵⁵
• Plan terms: Hone says it does not accept insurance and accepts HSA/FSA cards.⁵⁶
• Worth knowing: Medication cost rises with your dose. Enclomiphene is a separate non-testosterone medicine.
• Next step: Compare Hone's current membership plans and testing costs.

Taurus Meds: a $49 advertised first step

• Cost:
  • $49 blood test and consultation (listed as normally $129).
  • If a clinician approves treatment, $149/month, which Taurus describes as all-inclusive.
• Plan terms:
  • The offer page advertises a refund if the clinician finds you're not eligible.
  • It also advertises a 90-day guarantee that excludes lab and pharmacy fees; ask for the conditions attached to your purchase.
• Worth knowing: Ask for the full itemized monthly total before you start. The offer page says medication payment comes before the clinician call and contains conflicting product descriptions. Confirm the exact medicine, dispensing pharmacy, required monitoring costs and refund terms in writing.⁵²
• Next step: Review Taurus's $49 test-and-consultation offer.

Not sure any online program is right yet? Primary care, urology or endocrinology can evaluate symptoms and look for a cause; check your plan if you want to use insurance. Check featured Male Excel age/state eligibility with Find My TRT Path or compare online and local care.

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Before you pay: questions to get answered in writing

Before choosing Maximus or Fountain, get a written answer on the exact medicine, everything you'll be charged, the next charge date, and what happens if you cancel. Unanswered questions are a reason to wait, not a reason to prepay.

Copy this into a message to either company:

Please send an itemized quote for the treatment we're discussing, covering:

• testing, visits, medication, shipping and taxes
• every payment date and the renewal price
• what I'd owe or get back if I cancel early

Please also tell me:

• whether the medicine is FDA-approved or compounded, and which pharmacy fills it
• whether you'll confirm a low result with a repeat morning test before prescribing
• what happens to prepaid months if prescribing rules or your ability to provide care change after December 31, 2026

Quick worksheet:

Fill the blank cells with each provider's written answer. They are spaces for your quote, not estimated zero costs. Count an included charge once rather than adding it again under medication, testing or visits.

Want the deeper single-company cost detail? See our Fountain TRT cost guide.

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Maximus vs Fountain TRT: frequently asked questions

Maximus and Fountain differ in billing cycles, treatment details and cancellation terms. These answers distinguish the published offers from eligibility and charges that still need confirmation.

Is Maximus or Fountain cheaper?

Maximus advertises lower base rates on its current longer cream/injection offers. The roughly $1,497 and $1,954 figures above are illustrations under stated assumptions, not complete first-year quotes. Compare itemized testing, visit and renewal costs before deciding which is cheaper for you.⁵⁶¹¹⁶

Does Fountain TRT include labs?

Yes. Fountain says required lab monitoring is included in the membership, except where state law prohibits it. Its program page doesn't publish the evaluation price, so confirm it at checkout.²¹

Does Maximus include labs?

Maximus's lab policy says follow-up tests are charged separately and lists a $99 home kit; the standalone kit page lists $99.99.¹⁴ The policy schedules testing at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 12 months unless your clinician directs otherwise. You can upload recent outside labs for free if they include the required markers. Confirm the collection method and complete panel before treating $99 as the full testing cost.¹⁶

Can I cancel Maximus anytime?

Month-to-month plans end after the current paid period when you turn off renewal. Longer commitments generally remain payable; the health exception, conditional guarantee and discontinuation provisions are described above. Confirm the policy for the offer shown at checkout.²⁵¹⁷

Can I cancel Fountain anytime?

Yes, by text or email. If you prepaid future treatment months you haven't used, Fountain's policy says it refunds them pro-rata. Shipped medication and care already provided aren't refundable.⁴

Does Fountain offer injections?

Yes. Its current program lists testosterone cypionate injections, testosterone cream and enclomiphene. Older material on fountaintrt.com focuses on cream; the current fountain.net program lists more options.¹⁵⁷

Does either offer oral testosterone?

Maximus explicitly identifies an oral-testosterone program. It's a compounded formula, not an FDA-approved oral product, and Maximus requires a live video visit before you start it. Fountain also mentions oral testosterone on its page, but the exact product is not identified, so ask what it would prescribe.⁷¹⁸¹

Is enclomiphene the same as TRT?

No. It's a different medicine that nudges your body to make its own testosterone. Maximus discloses a compounded enclomiphene preparation; compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.¹⁹³⁴

Will TRT make me infertile?

It can lower sperm production, and guidelines advise against it for men planning children soon. Effects on sperm production and the time to recovery vary. If kids are in the plan, see a urologist first.⁸³⁷

Which states does Fountain serve?

Twenty-five, listed above. We did not find a current public testosterone-specific Maximus state list, so confirm eligibility for your treatment during intake.³¹⁹¹⁸

Do I need an in-person visit for online TRT?

Not always: through December 31, 2026, the federal extension permits qualifying audio-video prescribing without a prior in-person evaluation by authorized, DEA-registered practitioners, subject to applicable federal and state conditions. A questionnaire alone does not meet that audio-video condition. Requirements after that date remain unsettled; depending on any new rule or extension and other lawful exceptions, an in-person evaluation may be needed.²²³⁰²⁹

Do either of them take insurance?

No. Both are cash-pay. Maximus lists HSA/FSA eligibility. Fountain says it will provide an itemized invoice.²⁰⁵²⁹

Can I get my lab results and medical records if I switch?

Fountain's consent says you can request a copy or transfer through support at support@fountain.net or 1-833-967-3100, and it may charge reasonable preparation, shipping and delivery costs. It also describes portal access to your health information. We did not verify Maximus's records-request process or fees; ask how to obtain your lab results, prescriptions and clinical notes before switching.⁴⁷

Is Fountain TRT the same as Fountain Life?

No. Fountain Life is a separate company. FountainTRT is run on the Fountain Vitality platform at fountain.net.²⁹¹⁰

Is Maximus legit?

Maximus says its partner pharmacies are LegitScript-certified; we did not verify a separate certification for the platform. According to Maximus, its prescribers are physicians in affiliated medical groups, and it clearly discloses that its testosterone preparations are compounded.¹⁹¹⁷ In June 2026 the FDA sent it a warning letter about weight-loss drug marketing claims, not testosterone.⁴⁹ "Legit" isn't the same as right for you, so check the commitment terms.

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Check age/state eligibility for the featured Male Excel TRT offer with our free Find My TRT Path tool.

TRT Provider Guide is the independent decision resource for testosterone replacement therapy care. We're not a clinic, pharmacy, lab or insurer. This page is educational and isn't medical advice. A licensed clinician decides whether testosterone is right for you.

Privacy policy

Sources

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2. Fountain — Membership inclusions. Undated public page. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶

3. Fountain — TRT FAQs and state list. Undated public page. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

4. Fountain — Return & Refund Policy. Last updated April 3, 2024. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

5. Maximus — Testosterone Cream. Current storefront offers and product description. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸

6. Maximus — Injectable Testosterone. Current storefront offers and product description. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³

7. Maximus — Oral Testosterone. Current storefront offers and compounded-drug disclosure. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³

8. Endocrine Society — Testosterone Therapy for Hypogonadism Guideline Resources. March 19, 2018 guideline; current society resource. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

9. Fountain Vitality, Inc. — Terms of Use. Last updated April 3, 2024. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

10. Fountain Life, LLC — Member App End User License Agreement. Effective November 18, 2025. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

11. American Heart Association — Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms. Current patient guidance. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

12. NIDDK — Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction. Current patient guidance, including prolonged-erection emergency. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

13. Maximus — Enclomiphene. Current storefront offers and compounded-drug disclosure. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

14. Maximus — At-Home Testosterone Test. Current storefront; $99.99 kit offer. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

15. Maximus — How to Get Enclomiphene Online. Published and updated July 2026; provider statements on laboratory inclusion and video visits. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

16. Maximus — Lab Testing: Costs and Policies. July 23, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³

17. Maximus — Online Terms of Use, Subscription Savings Plan and Testosterone Treatment Guarantee. Last updated September 30, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴

18. Maximus — Oral Testosterone: Labs, Visits, and Refills. May 11, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

19. Maximus — Safety Information. Version 1.1, June 2, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

20. Maximus — Billing & Subscriptions. July 14, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

21. Fountain — The FountainTRT Enclomiphene Program. June 12, 2025; provider-stated program information. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

22. DEA — DEA Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities to Ensure Continued Access to Care. December 31, 2025; extension through December 31, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

23. Maximus — Enclomiphene Subscription Plans & Pricing. August 24, 2026; older terms conflict with current storefront cards. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

24. Fountain-authored Trustpilot reply to Tang concerning the assessment fee. Company reply September 26, 2026; dated statement, not verified checkout terms. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

25. Maximus — Return, Refund & Subscription Policy. July 15, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

26. Maximus — Prescriptions, Refills, and Renewals. May 11, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

27. FountainTRT — Legacy consent and terms. Undated legacy page; separate lab-billing and nonrefundable-treatment language. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

28. DEA — Drug Scheduling. Current public page; testosterone listed in Schedule III. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

29. OIRA — Special Registrations for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations. Received August 25, 2026; pending review when checked. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

30. Federal Register — Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications. December 31, 2025; 90 FR 61301. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

31. DEA Unified Agenda — Special Registrations for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations. Current agenda record; describes statutory telemedicine exceptions and January 17, 2025 proposed rule. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

32. Maximus — Testosterone treatment information. Live treatment catalog. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

33. Fountain — Welcome to Your Enclomiphene Therapy. February 21, 2025; provider-stated adjunct-treatment information. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

34. FDA — Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Current FDA FAQ. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

35. FDA — Jatenzo prescribing information. 2025 label, supplement 007; confirms an FDA-approved oral testosterone product. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

36. National Cancer Institute — Enclomiphene citrate. Current NCI Drug Dictionary entry. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

37. AUA/ASRM — Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men. 2024 amendment; Statement 42 discussion. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

38. FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee — Questions. June 8, 2022; enclomiphene citrate question. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

39. FDA — Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A. Updated May 14, 2026; page 2 lists enclomiphene citrate in Category 1. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

40. FDA — Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act. Current public explanation of the bulks list and interim enforcement policy. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

41. Maximus — Oral Native Testosterone Does Not Suppress HPTA Function: Evidence from Clinical Practice. Undated company-authored retrospective analysis; 34 patients; hormone endpoints. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

42. Maximus — Topical Testosterone with Enclomiphene: Preserving Male Fertility Markers. Undated company-authored report; 45 patients; hormone endpoints. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

43. Maximus — How to Get Testosterone Online Safely & Legally. Current company description identifying oral and cream studies as open-label observational studies without placebo controls. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

44. Maximus — Clinical Evidence. Current help-center summary; includes oral testosterone plus enclomiphene study. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

45. AUA — Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency. 2018 guideline; AUA catalog reports validity confirmed in 2024. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

46. Maximus — Official Information About Maximus. Undated public page. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

47. Fountain — Telehealth Informed Consent, including records access. July 24, 2024; acknowledgments 15–16. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

48. Maximus — Compounding Pharmacies at Maximus. Dated May 11, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

49. FDA — Maximus Health, Inc. dba Maximus warning letter, MARCS-CMS 730095. June 8, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

50. Male Excel — HRT Costs. Current pricing page; conflicting Triclozene prices disclosed in this comparison. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³

51. Hone — Plus Membership: Men's Hormone Replacement Therapy with Labs. Updated September 29, 2026. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

52. Taurus Meds — Testosterone $49 Offer. Current promotional offer page; provider-stated price and guarantee. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩ ↩²

53. DailyMed — Clomiphene Citrate Tablets, USP prescribing information. ANI Pharmaceuticals label; indications and usage. Checked November 5, 2026. ↩

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