Seven telehealth weight-loss programs compared, alphabetical and not ranked: clinician care, coaching, insurance, published fees and medicines, checked October 6, 2026.
Fact-checked against FDA labels and official sources; not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. This page is education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
Key takeaways
- In almost every telehealth program we checked on 2026-10-06, the monthly program fee did not include the medicine itself.[7]
- Published program fees ranged from a $19.99 monthly membership plus visits (PlushCare) to $199 a month with a 3-month minimum (Calibrate).[1]
- Three of the seven programs mention compounded medicines as a possible option; the FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved or reviewed before sale.[11]
- Before joining, check who prescribes, state licensing, certification such as LegitScript, the exact product, follow-up and cancellation terms.[14]
In short: Online weight-loss programs that can prescribe medicine differ mostly in four ways: how you see a clinician (video, text or in person), whether coaching and dietitians are included, whether they take insurance, and what the monthly fee covers. In almost every program we checked, the medicine itself costs extra. This page lists seven programs alphabetically with what each said it includes and its published price on October 6, 2026. We do not rank them, because they provide medical care and the right fit depends on your health, state and coverage.
Telehealth is one route into medical weight loss; a local clinician or obesity medicine specialist is another, and our find a provider page covers both. For the medicines these programs prescribe, see every FDA-approved weight-loss medication compared, and for programs without prescriptions, our programs hub.
About this comparison
- 7telehealth programs whose own pages we could read and check today
- 0rankings or winners: programs are listed alphabetically
- 3 of 7pages we read that mention compounded medicines as a possible option (Found, LifeMD, Noom Med)
Checked on October 6, 2026
What each program says it includes
Everything in this table comes from each company’s own website, read on October 6, 2026. Programs change often, so confirm details before you sign up. “Not stated” means we did not find it on the pages we read, not that it is unavailable.
| Program | Clinician care | Coaching and nutrition | Insurance | Published program fee | Medicine included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calibrate (Metabolic Reset) | 20-minute video clinician visit with lab review; ongoing access to a medical team | 1:1 video coaching; curriculum on food, exercise, sleep and emotional health; app; connected smart scale | Navigates medication and lab coverage with commercial or employer insurance; the program fee itself is not covered | $199/month with a 3-month minimum ($597) | No; labs and medicines billed separately |
| Found | Board-certified clinicians; video visits on insurance plans, mostly text-based care on cash plans | Healthy-habits guidance; an AI “concierge” in the app | Accepts many insurance plans in listed states; visit copays apply (Found says typically about $30) | From $99/month with insurance or $169/month cash on 12-month prepaid plans; monthly plans from $199 (insurance) or $289 (cash); billed every 28 days | No; varies by medicine and coverage |
| knownwell | Obesity medicine clinicians in person (clinics in California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas) and a nationwide virtual clinic; same clinician over time | Health coaching between visits; registered dietitian nutrition counseling; smart scale for home | Insurance-based; knownwell says the average copay is $25 | Copays; out-of-pocket prices on a separate page | No |
| LifeMD (Weight Management) | Clinician consultations and prescriptions; lab work included if not done in the past 12 months | Coaching from a weight-loss team | Pharmacy partner checks medication coverage; Medicare accepted, per the site | $149/month program and provider fee (first month $39) | No |
| Noom Med | Clinicians who prescribe and manage medicine when appropriate | Noom app lessons, tracking, coaches and community; a muscle-focused program | Medication cost depends on insurance | Brand-name medicine access from $39 plus the medicine; a separate “microdose” GLP-1 program from $79 | Not for brand-name medicines |
| PlushCare | Same-day video appointments; unlimited messages with the care team; orders labs; prior authorization support | Not stated on the weight-loss page | Accepts many plans; most in-network patients pay $30 or less per visit, per the site | $19.99/month membership (first month free) plus visits; $129 initial visit without insurance | No; medicine and labs extra |
| WeightWatchers Med+ (WeightWatchers Clinic) | Board-certified clinicians in virtual appointments | Coaches and registered dietitians; Points program; GLP-1 behavioral support program | Clinic staff check what your plan covers | $25 first month, then $74/month (12-month plan) or $84/month (6-month plan); auto-renews | No; GLP-1 medicine not included |
Which medicines they say they offer
- Calibrate: clinician-prescribed GLP-1 medicines such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Foundayo or Zepbound.
- Found: its medication list includes Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo, Saxenda, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Victoza and metformin, plus compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide and a “microdosing” option. It shows Wegovy and Zepbound “from $650/mo+” on its pricing page.
- knownwell: GLP-1s and other weight-management medicines.
- LifeMD: lists Wegovy pens from $199 and Wegovy tablets from $149 for eligible new self-pay patients, Zepbound vials from $299, and says its providers may prescribe generic drugs off label or compounded drugs when they judge them appropriate.
- Noom Med: GLP-1s such as Wegovy, Zepbound and Ozempic; it says compounded medicines may be used if a clinician feels they are appropriate, and that they are not FDA approved.
- PlushCare: lists FDA-approved weight medicines including Saxenda, Xenical and Contrave, and GLP-1 medicines; it says it does not treat new patients with a normal BMI with weight-loss prescriptions.
- WeightWatchers Med+: GLP-1 medicines when eligible, prescribed through its affiliated medical group, WeightWatchers Clinic.
More background is in our compounded GLP-1 guide. If a program offers Ozempic or Mounjaro for weight loss, those are approved for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy and Zepbound are the versions approved for weight management, as our Ozempic for weight loss page explains.
Program fees side by side
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Calibrate | $199 | $199 |
| Found | $99 | $289 |
| LifeMD | $39 | $149 |
| Noom Med (starting prices) | $39 | $79 |
| PlushCare membership | $20 | $20 |
| WeightWatchers Med+ | $25 | $84 |
Low end includes first-month or prepaid offers. PlushCare is $19.99 plus visit costs; knownwell bills visits through insurance. Medicine, labs and copays are extra in most programs.
Source: Company websites (Calibrate, Found, LifeMD, Noom, PlushCare, WeightWatchers) (checked on October 6, 2026)
Program fees are only part of the bill. The medicine is usually the biggest cost: as of October 6, 2026, Novo Nordisk’s own pharmacy listed Wegovy pens at $349 a month self-pay and Lilly listed Zepbound KwikPen at $299 to $449 a month, by dose. With insurance, you may pay a copay instead, but many plans require prior authorization, and some do not cover weight medicines at all. Our insurance guide and cost hub explain what to check.
Work out your real monthly cost
- Program feeNote the monthly price after any first-month offer, and the minimum term.
- MedicineAsk which product, and its price with your insurance or self-pay.
- Visits and labsCopays, first-visit fees and lab bills on top.
- LeavingCheck auto-renewal and how to cancel before you join.
Buying directly from the drug makers
Novo Nordisk (NovoCare Pharmacy) and Eli Lilly sell their weight medicines directly at self-pay prices to people with a prescription. These are pharmacies, not care programs: you still need a clinician to prescribe and follow up. As of October 6, 2026, NovoCare listed Wegovy pens at $349 a month ($199 for the first two fills of the lowest doses for new patients through December 31), Wegovy HD at $399 and Wegovy tablets at $149 to $299; Lilly listed Zepbound KwikPen at $299 to $449 and Foundayo at $149 to $349. These offers generally exclude people with government insurance. Details are on our Wegovy cost page.
How to check a telehealth program
The NIDDK suggests asking any weight-loss program about the qualifications of its staff, all of its costs, its risks and how it monitors safety. For telehealth, a few extra checks help:
- Who prescribes? Ask for the clinician’s name and credentials. Obesity medicine specialists can be checked on the American Board of Obesity Medicine’s public search.
- Is the program available in your state? Clinicians must be licensed where you are; programs list the states they serve.
- Is it certified? LegitScript certifies telemedicine providers and online pharmacies against standards such as licensure, legal compliance, prescription validity and privacy, and offers a lookup tool.
- Which exact product? FDA-approved brand, generic, or compounded, and which pharmacy fills it. The FDA’s BeSafeRx tips explain how to check an online pharmacy.
- How is follow-up done? How often you check in, who you contact about side effects, and whether labs are part of the plan.
- What support is there beyond the prescription? Nutrition, protein and strength-training guidance help protect muscle; the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends intensive behavioral programs for adults with a BMI of 30 or more.
- What happens to your data? Read the privacy policy, especially if the program uses apps or AI tools.
What research says about the parts of a program
No independent trial has compared these telehealth companies with each other, so we cannot say one produces better results. What research does show is which ingredients matter. A 2023 JAMA review found that multicomponent behavioral programs, ideally with at least 14 sessions over 6 months and including self-monitoring, diet and activity counseling and problem solving, often produce 5% to 10% weight loss, although a quarter or more of people regain some weight within two years. It found GLP-1-based medicines can add up to about 8% to 21% loss, depending on the drug. Every FDA label pairs the medicine with a reduced-calorie diet and more activity, and medicine trials gave everyone lifestyle counseling. So when you compare programs, look at how much real support comes with the prescription, not only how quickly you can get one.
Follow-up matters too. People who stop GLP-1 medicines often regain weight: in STEP 4, people switched from semaglutide to placebo regained 6.9% of their weight. A program that plans for the long term, including what happens if you stop or your coverage changes, is worth asking about.
Signs a program may not be right for you
- No real medical review. A prescription after a short form with no questions about your history, other medicines or family history of thyroid cancer.
- Vague about the product. It will not say whether you get an FDA-approved brand or a compounded drug, or which pharmacy makes it.
- Promises that sound too good. The FTC warns about claims such as losing weight without changing diet or activity, or results that work for everyone.
- Pressure to prepay. Long commitments or auto-renewals that are hard to cancel. Read the terms first.
- “Research use” products. The FDA warns that products labeled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption” are not approved medicines.
Telehealth or in person?
Telehealth can be convenient and fast, and several programs bundle coaching. In-person care can make physical exams, body composition checks and coordination with your other clinicians easier. Some programs, such as knownwell, offer both. If you have several health conditions, take medicines that interact with GLP-1s (such as insulin or sulfonylureas), or are planning a pregnancy, ask how the program coordinates with your regular doctor. Our questions to ask before starting a GLP-1 includes a printable checklist that works for any setting.
Programs we could not include
We include a program only when we can read its own current pages on the day we check. Several well-known telehealth companies, including Ro and Hims and Hers, blocked automated reading of their weight-loss pages on October 6, 2026, so we could not verify their current prices or what they include. We will add them when we can check them directly. Inclusion here is never paid, and no program can buy a place on this page; see our editorial standards.
Still deciding whether medicine is the right step? Find My Options sorts approaches by your goals, and 40 ways to lose weight compared shows where telehealth medicine sits next to diets, activity and surgery. For keeping weight off once you reach a goal, see maintaining weight loss.
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- Who will prescribe my medicine, and what are their credentials?
- Which exact product will I receive, and which pharmacy fills it?
- What is my total monthly cost, including the medicine, labs and visits?
- How often will I check in, and who do I contact about side effects?
- How does the program share information with my regular doctor?
Frequently asked questions
Which telehealth weight-loss program is best?
We do not rank them, because they provide medical care and the right fit depends on your health, state, insurance and preferences. Compare what each includes, the total monthly cost and the exact medicine offered.
Do telehealth programs include the medication in the price?
Usually not. In the programs we checked on October 6, 2026, the program fee covered clinician care and sometimes coaching; the medicine, labs and visit copays were billed separately.
Are online weight-loss programs legitimate?
Many are, but check who prescribes and their credentials, whether the clinician is licensed in your state, whether the company is certified (for example by LegitScript), and which pharmacy fills the prescription. The FDA BeSafeRx program has tips.
Can telehealth programs prescribe compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide?
Some say they may. The FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing, and both shortages have ended.
Will insurance cover a telehealth weight-loss program?
Some programs bill visits to insurance, while others charge a fee insurance does not cover. Coverage for the medicine is a separate question that depends on your plan.
References
- Calibrate pricing (Metabolic Reset). Calibrate. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Found plans and pricing. Found. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- knownwell weight management care. knownwell. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- LifeMD Weight Management Program. LifeMD. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Noom Med. Noom. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- PlushCare weight loss program and pricing. PlushCare. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- WeightWatchers plans and pricing. WW International, Inc.. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Wegovy at NovoCare Pharmacy: self-pay prices. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare Pharmacy). (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Foundayo coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize (content current as of 2026-04-01). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- BeSafeRx: your source for online pharmacy information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- LegitScript Healthcare Certification. LegitScript. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- American Board of Obesity Medicine. American Board of Obesity Medicine. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
- Choosing a Safe & Successful Weight-loss Program. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH). (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Weight Loss to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults: Behavioral Interventions. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2018. (accessed October 7, 2026) Guideline
- Elmaleh-Sachs A, Schwartz JL, Bramante CT, et al.. Obesity Management in Adults: A Review. JAMA, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.19897 · PMID 38015216 (accessed October 6, 2026) Review
- Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al.. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance (STEP 4). JAMA, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224 · PMID 33755728 · NCT03548987 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads. Federal Trade Commission. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
Facts checked on October 6, 2026
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.