The GLP-1 telehealth market has exploded. There are now dozens of platforms offering physician-prescribed weight loss medications online — and the monthly price you see advertised rarely tells the whole story. This article explains every cost variable, what questions to ask, and what you're actually comparing when you evaluate your options.

Why the Headline Price Is Almost Never What You Pay

Most GLP-1 telehealth platforms advertise a monthly "starting from" price. That number is almost universally either the physician service fee alone (without medication), the introductory first-month rate, the lowest dose price, or an all-in price for a compounded medication that is generally no longer permitted. Before choosing a platform, you need to understand the actual total monthly cost — physician service fee plus medication plus any required add-ons — and what is included at each level.

The Two Pricing Models in GLP-1 Telehealth

Model 1: All-in price (physician service + compounded medication in one price)

During the shortage era, some platforms offered an all-in monthly price that included both the physician service and a compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide injection. YourMD has never offered this model.

The critical issue with this model in 2026: The FDA shortages of tirzepatide and semaglutide ended in 2025 (for semaglutide, enforcement discretion ended April 22, 2025 for 503A pharmacies and May 22, 2025 for 503B outsourcing facilities). Compounded copies are now generally not permitted except for a documented, patient-specific clinical need. The FDA has sent warning letters to dozens of such operations. If a platform is still offering you "semaglutide" at an all-in monthly price in 2026, ask them directly: "Is this FDA-approved branded Wegovy or a compounded formulation? If compounded, what is the legal basis for compounding semaglutide now that it is off the shortage list?" If they cannot answer clearly, that is your answer.

Model 2: Separated (physician service fee + FDA-approved medication through manufacturer pharmacy)

The responsible model in the post-shortage era: the platform charges for physician services, and medication is billed separately through the manufacturer's official pharmacy program — NovoCare for Novo Nordisk products (Wegovy, Ozempic) or LillyDirect for Eli Lilly products (Zepbound, Foundayo). This model is more expensive headline-to-headline but gives you FDA-approved, manufacturer-quality medication with transparent pricing and manufacturer savings program access. This is the model YourMD operates.

The Full Monthly Cost: What to Add Up

1. Physician service fee

2. Medication cost (FDA-approved, through manufacturer programs)

3. Required add-ons and hidden fees

4. YourMD example: total effective monthly cost

Patient on Wegovy, YourMD Essential: $79/month (YourMD) + the NovoCare® self-pay price or your insurance copay for the medication + any self-pay lab costs. On Concierge, the YourMD portion is $149/month. The medication portion is billed by NovoCare®, LillyDirect™, or your insurer — not by YourMD.

10 Questions to Ask Any GLP-1 Telehealth Platform

  1. Is the medication FDA-approved branded (Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo) or compounded? If compounded: what is the legal basis for compounding semaglutide or tirzepatide now that they are off the FDA shortage list?
  2. Who is prescribing — an MD/DO or a nurse practitioner/PA? Is there physician oversight of every prescription?
  3. What is the total monthly cost including medication? Physician service fee + medication + shipping.
  4. Are labs included or do I pay separately? Which labs are required and how often?
  5. Is shipping included? Cold-chain for injectables?
  6. What does "monthly check-in" mean — async message review or a scheduled video call? How quickly does the prescribing clinician respond to urgent questions?
  7. Do you support insurance prior authorization?
  8. Do you route through NovoCare or LillyDirect savings programs?
  9. What happens if I need a dose adjustment or have a side effect? Is there a per-visit fee?
  10. What is the cancellation policy?

Board-Certified Physician vs. "Physician-Supervised" — What It Actually Means

"Board-certified physician prescribing" means an MD or DO who has completed residency and passed a specialty board examination directly evaluates your intake, makes the prescribing decision, and monitors your care. "Physician-supervised" NP/PA prescribing means a nurse practitioner or PA follows a clinical protocol — the physician may never directly review your case. Most large-scale DTC telehealth platforms use the NP/PA model because it scales more easily. At YourMD, Dr. Surapaneni, MD, MS (ABIM-certified internal medicine) personally reviews every case.

The Compounded GLP-1 Cost Trap

History: compounded semaglutide was legally available at lower prices during the 2022–2024 shortage era. Those prices are still advertised by some platforms even though the shortage has ended and compounded copies are now generally not permitted except for a documented, patient-specific clinical need. A low compounded price can look cheaper than brand-name medication plus a YourMD plan, but that comparison only holds if the compounded product is legally and safely available — which, outside that narrow exception, it is not. The FDA has documented hospitalizations from dosing errors, products labeled as "semaglutide acetate" (a different salt form), and facilities that failed sterility inspections.

YourMD's policy of zero compounded GLP-1 is a clinical and regulatory position. The cost difference is real. Whether that difference is worth it is a decision each patient makes for themselves — but it should be made with accurate information.

YourMD's Pricing — Transparent and Complete

HSA/FSA: Physician service fees may be qualified medical expenses under IRS §213(d); check with your HSA/FSA administrator.

Related: How to Get Wegovy Cheaper in 2026 · What Is Semaglutide? · Tirzepatide for Weight Loss · What Is Telehealth Internal Medicine?