Finding the best price for semaglutide online feels like navigating a financial minefield. One site advertises “$99/month” but hides a mandatory subscription fee. Another promises “$199,” but only if you pay for a full year upfront.
At MedVi, we believe healthcare pricing should be simple. The cost of your weight loss medication shouldn’t be a surprise you find on your credit card statement three months later.
This comprehensive guide cuts through the marketing noise to compare the Total Annual Cost of the top online weight loss providers in 2026, breaks down the hidden “membership taxes,” and explains why insurance coverage is often an illusion for the average patient.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
Best “No Insurance” Price: MedVi ($179/mo) offers the lowest month-to-month rate without requiring a long-term contract.
The Hidden “Membership” Tax: Providers like Ro ($145/mo) and WeightWatchers ($99/mo) charge monthly fees on top of medication costs.
The “Bulk” Trap: Companies like Hers advertise low rates ($199), but require a 6-12 month upfront payment (up to ~$2,400) to unlock them.
Retail Shock: Without insurance, brand-name pens like Wegovy® cost ~$1,349/mo at pharmacies.
Clinical Value: MedVi includes Vitamin B12 and supports Micro-Dosing to reduce nausea, which standard pens do not offer.
The Master Comparison Chart (2026)
We analyzed the pricing models of the major online clinics. Here is how they stack up for a cash-pay patient (someone without insurance coverage for weight loss, which accounts for ~70% of applicants).
| Provider | Advertised Price | Real Monthly Cost (Est) | Hidden Fees / Commitments |
| MedVi | $179/mo | $179 | None. Month-to-month. Includes meds + provider. |
| Hers / Hims | “$199/mo” | ~$399 (Month-to-Month) | “Low” price requires ~$2,400 upfront payment (12-mo lock). |
| Ro (Body) | “$99 start” | ~$444 | $145/mo membership fee + ~$299/mo for medication. |
| WeightWatchers | “$99/mo” | ~$1,400 | $99 is for the app only. Meds cost ~$1,300 at pharmacy if insurance denies. |
| HenryMeds | “$297/mo” | $297 | Standard injectable price is $118 higher than MedVi. |
| Noom Med | “$129/mo” | ~$328 | $129 membership + ~$199 medication cost. |
Calculate Your Personal Savings
Don’t just take our word for it. Use our Real Cost Auditor to select your current provider (or the one you are considering) and see exactly how much you will save by choosing MedVi.
The Real Cost Auditor
Provider Breakdown: Where the Hidden Costs Are
1. Ro (The Body Program)
Ro is a premium telehealth service, but their pricing separates “Care” from “Medication.”
The Cost: You pay a $145/mo membership fee to be a patient. The medication (compounded semaglutide) typically costs an additional $299/mo.
The Verdict: Your effective monthly cost is nearly $450.
MedVi Advantage: We charge $0 for membership. You save ~$270 every month.
2. Hers & Hims
These brands advertise desirable rates (often citing “$199/mo”), but they usually use a “Bulk Pricing” model.
The Cost: To get the $199 rate, you typically must pay for 6 to 12 months upfront (roughly $1,200–$2,400). If you want the freedom to cancel anytime (Month-to-Month), the price is significantly lower.
The Verdict: Great if you have $2,400 to spend today. Risky if you aren’t sure how your body will react.
MedVi Advantage: Our $179 price is Month-to-Month. You get the bulk savings without the bulk risk.
3. WeightWatchers Clinic
WeightWatchers focuses on “Clinical Access,” helping you get a prescription for name-brand pens (Wegovy®/Zepbound®) at a local pharmacy.
The Cost: You pay $99/mo for the clinician. However, if your insurance denies coverage (which happens to ~70% of patients), the pharmacy will charge you the full retail price—approximately $1,300/mo.
The Verdict: A costly option for cash-pay patients.
MedVi Advantage: We bypass the insurance/pharmacy loop entirely.
Weight Loss Injection Costs Without Insurance (Retail)
If you are one of the millions of Americans whose insurance does not cover weight loss medications, you are forced to pay the “Cash Price” (also called the List Price or WAC).
Here is what you can expect to pay at a retail pharmacy (like CVS or Walgreens) for a one-month supply of brand-name pens:
| Medication | Avg. Retail Price (Monthly) | MedVi Price (Monthly) |
| Wegovy® (Semaglutide) | $1,349 | $179 |
| Ozempic® (Semaglutide) | $968 – $1,000 | $179 |
| Zepbound® (Tirzepatide) | $1,060 | $179 |
| Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide) | $1,069 | $179 |
The Bottom Line: You are paying a 600% markup for the brand-name injector pen. MedVi provides the same active ingredient (compounded semaglutide) in a vial for $179/month, regardless of your insurance status.
Can Manufacturer Savings Cards Lower the Price?
Pharmaceutical giants like Novo Nordisk (Wegovy®) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound®) offer “Savings Cards” that promise prices as low as $25. However, there is a significant catch that most patients miss.
The “Commercial Coverage” Requirement: These coupons usually only work if your commercial insurance already covers the drug. If your insurance denies coverage (which happens 70% of the time), the coupon typically only knocks off ~$200–$500, leaving you with a bill of $650–$1,100 per month.
The Government Exclusion: By law, you cannot use these coupons if you are on Medicare or Medicaid.
The MedVi Fix: Our $179 price is not a temporary coupon. It is the standard Priceone price, regardless of insurance status.
The Truth About Medicare & Medicaid Coverage (2026)
Many patients hope government insurance will foot the bill. Unfortunately, the rules remain strict in 2026.
Medicare: By law, Medicare Part D plans have historically been prohibited from covering drugs used solely for weight loss. While new voluntary models, such as the BALANCE Model, are being proposed to allow state Medicaid programs and some Part D plans to cover these drugs starting in mid-2026 or 2027, access remains extremely limited right now. Currently, Medicare usually only covers Wegovy® if you have a secondary diagnosis of established cardiovascular disease (heart disease).
Medicaid: Coverage varies by state. Even in states that cover it (like California or Pennsylvania), you often must try and fail “Step Therapy” (cheap diet pills) for months before they approve a GLP-1.
The “Cash Pay” Gap: Since Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer coupons, they are often stuck paying the full $1,300 retail price. MedVi provides a viable “Third Path” for seniors on fixed incomes.
Cost Comparison: Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide
Is it worth paying more for the newer drugs? Many patients are confused between the different molecules.
Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic): The “Gold Standard.” Effective for ~15% body weight loss.
Retail Price: ~ $1 1Price
MedVi Price: $179.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro): The “Dual Agonist” (GLP-1 + GIP). Often effective for ~20%+ weight loss but comes with a higher retail price tag (~$1,060+) and historically higher shortage risks.
Our Recommendation: Start with Semaglutide. It is the most cost-effective entry point. If you plateau, you can discuss upgrading protocols with your MedVi clinician.
Beyond Price: The “Clinical Value” Comparison
Price is important, but results matter more. Cheap medication is worthless if it makes you sick or doesn’t work. Here is why MedVi’s “Precision Protocol” offers better value than a standard prescription.
1. Micro-Dosing vs. The “Sledgehammer.”
Competitors: Prescribe standard pens or generic vials with rigid instructions (e.g., “Double your dose every 4 weeks”). This often causes severe nausea and causes patients to quit.
MedVi: We teach “Gentle Titration.” You can increase your dose by tiny amounts (e.g., 0.10mg) to find the perfect balance between weight loss and comfort.
2. Bio-Stacking (Vitamin B12)
Competitors: Most sell plain semaglutide salt solutions or standard commercial pens.
MedVi: We compound our semaglutide with Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). This “Bio-Stacking” helps combat fatigue associated with low-calorie diets, delivering two treatments in a single injection.
3. The 100% Outcome Guarantee
Competitors: Read their terms. Almost all say “No Refunds on Prescriptions.”
MedVi: We offer a 100% Weight Loss Money-Back Guarantee. If you follow our protocol and don’t lose weight, we will refund you. We take the financial risk, not you.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Unlike competitors like Remedy Meds who lure you in with a cheap first month ($199) and then raise the price to standard rates ($349), MedVi’s price is $179 for the standard therapeutic doses.
No. MedVi is a direct-pay model. We do not require insurance approvals, prior authorizations, or copays. The price is the same for everyone.
es! Weight loss medications prescribed by a clinician for a medical condition (like obesity) are typically eligible expenses for FSA and HSA cards.
We partner directly with FDA-inspected 503B Outsourcing Facilities. These large-scale pharmacies are authorized to compound medications during FDA shortages, allowing us to bypass the massive markups of brand-name manufacturers while maintaining strict safety and potency standards.
Ready to Stop Overpaying?
Stop paying membership fees for permission to lose weight. Get the medication, the doctor, and the guarantee—all for $179.
Start Your Intake Now. No Insurance Needed. Cancel Anytime.
