LifeMD review

What it is

LifeMD is a publicly traded telehealth company, and its Weight Management Program is a monthly membership built around brand-name GLP-1s such as Wegovy and Zepbound [1]. The membership covers provider visits, coaching and needed lab work; the medicine is a separate cost that depends on your insurance or self-pay option [3].

What it prescribes

Its GLP-1 lineup is brand-name: the Wegovy pill and pen, Foundayo, the Zepbound KwikPen and vials, Saxenda and Ozempic. LifeMD’s own fine print notes that Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss [15]. Prescriptions go to your local pharmacy, or to mail-order if your pharmacy does not have the drug [13].

One caveat: the same fine print says that in certain situations a provider may prescribe a compounded medicine from a sterile compounding pharmacy partner [14]. The page does not say whether that includes compounded GLP-1s, so ask before you accept a prescription. Our page on approved uses explains what each brand-name drug is approved for.

What it costs

The membership starts at $39 for the first month, then $149 a month [2]. LifeMD’s FAQ also cites a rate as low as $75 a month on an annual plan [4].

The medicine is extra. LifeMD advertises the Wegovy pen from $199 [5] and Zepbound vials from $299 [6], which are starting-dose prices. It does not list a price for each dose. For reference, NovoCare lists Wegovy 2.4 mg at $349 a month [17], and LillyDirect lists the 2.5 mg Zepbound vial at $299 [18].

With insurance, LifeMD says its average approved copay is $0 to $25 [7]. The program itself does not take insurance, but your plan may help pay for the medicine [8]. Its FAQ adds that some services may be billed to certain commercial plans in select states [9]. Anyone with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE or other government coverage is not eligible for the GLP-1 program at all [10]. If Medicare applies to you, see our Medicare GLP-1 Bridge guide instead.

Signing up and cancelling

LifeMD says you can cancel anytime [2], and after you cancel no further membership fees are charged [16]. Past monthly fees are not refunded, even if your insurance will not cover the drug [11]. LifeMD also offers a refund if you take part in the program and lose less than 10% of your body weight in a year, subject to its terms [12]. Our cancellation guide has a checklist.

Where it operates

We found no list of the states where the weight program is offered.

Safety and regulatory record

LifeMD’s listed GLP-1s are FDA-approved brand-name drugs. GLPLens searched FDA’s warning-letter database in September and found no letter to LifeMD.

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

LifeMD suits people with commercial insurance who want a provider and a team to check coverage for a brand-name GLP-1, and who are fine paying a monthly membership on top. Look elsewhere if you have Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, or if you are paying cash and would rather not pay a membership: LillyDirect and NovoCare sell the drugs directly with a prescription from any clinician.