State officials want hormone treatment chain to close NC offices

Raleigh, N.C. — State officials have sent warning letters to a national chain of medical offices that offer hormone replacement therapy, recommending that it close its North Carolina operations because it doesn't have a license to practice in the state.

HRC Medical operates 37 Hormone Replacement Centers in 21 states, including offices in Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte. The company promises its treatments can provide relief for issues like fatigue, sexual dysfunction and depression.

Dr. Dan Hale, HRC's founder, resigned unexpectedly last week, just as Tennessee officials began targeting the chain, questioning the quality of care patients receive.

The North Carolina Medical Board rejected Hale's application for a medical license in December, determining that he had multiple felony convictions in the mid-1990s for racketeering and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and had lied on his application.

The medical board has turned its findings over to the Wake County District Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal charges are warranted.

On Tuesday, the board suspended the license of Dr. Clarence Washington, who oversaw HRC's Raleigh office, for 12 months – only three months of it is active – determining that he was only a "figurehead" who operated under Hale's direction and allowed nurses to handle hormone treatments without proper oversight.

Last week, the board revoked HRC's registration in North Carolina, and the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office recommended that the company "cease offering any services" until officials could determine if it was operating in the state without a license.

HRC spokeswoman Susan Keel said the company's North Carolina offices have "voluntarily suspended accepting new patients for a few days" while attorneys work through the situation.

"We are working closely with representatives of the North Carolina Medical Board to ensure that their concerns are addressed," Keel said in a statement.

HRC offices continue to see existing patients, however.

As she left HRC's office on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh, patient Pat Byrd said she had no clue about the company's problems.

"I'm kind of worried, but I know (the treatments are) helping me," Byrd said.

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Latest Comments

A lot has been said, but that does not erase the fact that HRC is crook. It would not be long before they will be shut down. A friend is trying to get a refund because she can not go on with the program since she has been bleeding and they would not do anything at all. My friend is getting a lawyer and will file the complaints with the state. Be warned of this company, they intentionally not disclose everything so they can get people to sign up. Check other doctors who also do BHRT. No wonder they are being investigated and let's jut see what will happen after my friend filed her case.

sanssouci
March 30, 2012 10:37 a.m.

Best thing I have done, have been going for two years and my triglycerides.cholesterol and blood pressure have dropped scientifically and I sleep much better. I will continue treatments what ever it takes, thanks HRC!

kim27
March 16, 2012 5:33 p.m.

I have been a patient at HRC for two years. I have never had any complaints with my treatment. It has helped me a great deal. The problem is general doctors and pharmacutical companies are being cut out on the money and they don't like it. This is something I do for my health and is paid for out of my pocket, not by insurance companies or the government so they need to leave it alone.

kim27
March 16, 2012 5:13 p.m.

I have been going there for almost 2 years now and yes it does work and it makes a big differce in my life. I have no fear about seeing them and getting my next treatment. Any of you women out there who are tried of not knowing why you feel like you do or like me also have severe migraines you need to go here and have your hormone levels checked. I would love for my insurance to pay part of the expense but they don't and that is the only thing I dislike about going to HRC; it's not what they do that I dislike. They are the best at their job and great at it too. I have never felt unsave going there; not once has my treatment not help my feelings or my migraines. Everyone is intitled to an opionion, and mine is their treatment is better then any other doctor here in North Carolina I have seen in the last 13 years for the same problems. I just got tried of the doctors saying there's nothing else we can do Sorry. So I started looking for other help besides all the medicines they ha

kpapa777
March 16, 2012 4:00 p.m.

NCNANA, we are going no where! Thanks to all the patients for stepping up here and getting the truth out there!!! We LOVE our patients. As for me, after 3 months of treatment I was able to terminate my 2 anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds and I had been on them for over 20 years. Can't beat that!

bubbaloo32
March 16, 2012 1:33 p.m.