Best Way to Get a GLP-1 Online in 2026: Brand-Name Direct, Insurance or Telehealth

Most people should not pay a telehealth clinic $300+ a month for a compounded GLP-1. Medicare now covers Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo for $50 a month for eligible enrollees, covered commercial plans can drop to $25, and without coverage the FDA-approved drugs cost $149 to $449 a month direct from the maker. Telehealth is the way to get the prescription; we compare what that costs, then the 6 compounded-GLP-1 clinics for the cases where compounded is appropriate. Plan-by-plan totals: GLP-1 cost.

By CalcMyPeptide Editorial · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Prices checked Oct 7, 2026 · How we rank

Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026 · Written by the CalcMyPeptide editorial team · Medical review pending

Start here: the cheapest legitimate path

Insurance or Medicare first. Since July 1, 2026, eligible people with Medicare drug coverage pay $50 a month for Wegovy (pen or pill), Zepbound KwikPen (not vials or single-dose pens) and Foundayo through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (until December 31, 2027). With employer or marketplace coverage that includes the drug, manufacturer savings cards bring Wegovy, Zepbound or Foundayo to as little as $25 a month. Check your formulary before paying cash.
No coverage? Buy brand-name direct. Through TrumpRx.gov, LillyDirect and NovoCare Pharmacy, the FDA-approved drugs now cost: Wegovy pill $149 (1.5 mg; $199 at 4 mg, $299 at 9–25 mg), Foundayo $149 to start ($299 at maintenance), Wegovy or Ozempic pen $199 for the first two fills (through Dec 31, 2026) then $349, and Zepbound $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), $449 (7.5–15 mg with refills within 45 days; otherwise $499–$699).
Use telehealth for the prescription, not the drug markup. You still need a prescriber. Your own doctor is usually cheapest; online, Ro charges $39 for the first month then $74–$149 a month on top of those same cash prices. Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide plans are listed further down, after the brand-name options, because they are not FDA-approved.

Which path is cheapest for you

Which path is cheapest for you. Prices from Medicare.gov, TrumpRx.gov, LillyDirect and NovoCare, checked Oct 7, 2026.
If this is you	Cheapest legitimate path	What you pay for the drug	Watch for
You have Medicare Part D and meet the BMI criteria (no type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or fatty liver disease)	Medicare GLP-1 Bridge	$50 a month for Wegovy, Zepbound KwikPen or Foundayo	July 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027; your prescriber files a prior authorization.
You have Medicare and type 2 diabetes, or Zepbound for sleep apnea	Your regular Part D plan	Your plan’s copay	Ozempic and Mounjaro are covered drugs for diabetes on many plans; check your formulary.
Your employer or marketplace plan covers the drug	Insurance + the manufacturer savings card	As little as $25 a month	Ask HR or check your formulary for Wegovy, Zepbound or Foundayo; prior authorization is common.
No coverage, and a daily pill is fine	Wegovy pill (NovoCare/TrumpRx) or Foundayo (LillyDirect)	$149 to start, $299 a month at maintenance doses	FDA-approved; plus whatever you pay for the prescription visit.
No coverage, and you want a weekly injection	Wegovy pen (NovoCare/TrumpRx) or Zepbound (LillyDirect)	Wegovy $199 for 2 fills then $349; Zepbound $299 / $399 / $449	Zepbound’s $449 needs every refill within 45 days.
An FDA-approved drug can’t meet your needs (for example a documented allergy to an ingredient, or a dose that isn’t made)	Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide through a telehealth clinic	See the compounded tables below	Not FDA-approved; FDA says compounded versions are for patients whose needs an approved drug can’t meet.

Brand-name GLP-1 prices without insurance

Manufacturer self-pay prices (no insurance), checked Oct 7, 2026. Year one assumes the label's monthly dose steps and on-time refills; medication only, before any prescriber fee.
Medication	Where to buy	Price by dose (per fill)	Year one
Wegovy pillDaily semaglutide tablet. FDA-approved for chronic weight management.	NovoCare Pharmacy or a TrumpRx coupon at a retail pharmacy	1.5 mg: $149 4 mg: $199 9 mg: $299 25 mg: $299 The $149 headline is the 1.5 mg starting dose only; maintenance doses are $299. Government beneficiaries are excluded from the self-pay offer.	$3,33812 fills of 30 days
FoundayoDaily orforglipron tablet, no food or water timing rules. FDA-approved for chronic weight management (April 2026).	LillyDirect	0.8 mg: $149 2.5 mg: $149reduced from $199 through Dec 31, 2026 5.5 mg: $199reduced from $299 through Dec 31, 2026 9 mg: $299 14.5 mg: $299when refilled within 45 days; otherwise $349 17.2 mg: $299when refilled within 45 days; otherwise $349	$3,18812 fills of 30 days
Wegovy penWeekly semaglutide injection. FDA-approved for chronic weight management.	NovoCare Pharmacy or a TrumpRx coupon at a retail pharmacy	0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, first 2 fills: $199new patients; fills between Nov 17, 2025 and Dec 31, 2026 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg, after that: $349 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD): $399	$4,23713 fills of 28 days
OzempicWeekly semaglutide injection (approved for type 2 diabetes). FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; weight loss is off-label.	TrumpRx coupon at a retail pharmacy, or NovoCare Pharmacy	0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, first 2 fills: $199new self-pay patients; through Dec 31, 2026 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg, after that: $349 2 mg: $499	$4,23713 fills of 28 days
ZepboundWeekly tirzepatide injection (single-dose vial or KwikPen). FDA-approved for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea with obesity.	LillyDirect (TrumpRx links there)	2.5 mg: $299 5 mg: $399 7.5 mg to 15 mg: $449Self Pay Journey price when each refill is within 45 days; otherwise $499 (7.5 mg) or $699 (10–15 mg)	$5,63713 fills of 28 days

Year one on the Wegovy pill is about $3,338, Foundayo $3,188, the Wegovy pen $4,237 and Zepbound $5,637, medication only. Full breakdown on the GLP-1 cost page.

Telehealth for the prescription: what it costs

What the prescription costs. The medication is billed separately on every route, at the prices above. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Route	Prescriber fee	First-year fee	Notes
Your own doctor or nurse practitioner	Office or video visit at your usual copay	-	Usually the cheapest route if you have insurance; they can send the prescription to LillyDirect, NovoCare Pharmacy or a retail pharmacy with a TrumpRx coupon, and file a Medicare Bridge prior authorization.
Ro (Body membership)	$39 first month, then $74/mo (12-month prepay), $89 (6-month), $99 (3-month) or $149 month-to-month	$853	Brand-name only (Wegovy, Foundayo, Zepbound, Ozempic) at the same cash prices as LillyDirect, NovoCare and TrumpRx; insurance check included; $39 refunded if not eligible.
MEDGm (brand-name membership)	$99 membership for Zepbound or Wegovy; $171 for Ozempic (plus medication)	-	Also sells compounded plans; billing period for the membership is shown at checkout.
LillyDirect and NovoCare “find a doctor” links	Set by the independent telehealth provider you pick	-	Both manufacturers link to independent virtual-care companies that can prescribe and send the prescription straight to their pharmacy.

Compounded GLP-1 clinics: picks by need

Listed after the brand-name options on purpose: compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved, and FDA says they are for patients whose needs an approved drug can't meet. Picks are by use case, not a score; the table below is sorted by 12-month cost.

Most included in the price: MEDGm. Lab work, side-effect medication and shipping are included; compounded tirzepatide, semaglutide and semaglutide tablets, plus a membership route to brand-name Zepbound, Wegovy or Ozempic. Tirzepatide is $3,228 for a 12-month supply ($269/mo), semaglutide $2,028. Details
Lowest published 12-month total: HealthRX. Tirzepatide $2,148 and semaglutide $1,188 for 12 months, billed upfront, with renewal prices published next to signup prices; all 50 states. Details
Lowest headline price: CoreAge Rx. Tirzepatide “starting at” $149/mo and semaglutide $99/mo on its main site; plan terms appear only at checkout, where a lower price is shown. Details
If you want to use insurance: Found. The only brand here with an insurance track (tirzepatide from $179 per 28-day cycle on a 12-month term, plus copays), and it can prescribe brand-name GLP-1s billed separately. Details
One flat price with coaching: Gala. $179/mo for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide at every dose, with video provider visits and live coaching; refunds only if you are medically disqualified. Details
Cheapest first month, no commitment: Luvo Health. Half price on the first 4 weeks ($124.50 tirzepatide, $104.50 semaglutide), then $249 or $209 every 28 days; cancel anytime; low-dose plans available. Details

Compounded GLP-1 telehealth compared

Cash prices for 12 months on each brand's cheapest published plan, checked Oct 7, 2026. Sorted by tirzepatide cost.
Brand	Tirzepatide, 12 mo	Semaglutide, 12 mo	Tablets	Brand-name	Insurance	Labs included	Refund if not approved
CoreAge Rx	$1,788“starting at” price	$1,188	No	No	No	No	Yes, minus $50–$100 consult fee
Gala	$2,148Flat monthly price (“Yearly subscription”)	$2,148	No	No	No	No	Yes
HealthRX	$2,14812-month plan	$1,188	No	No	No	No	Yes
Found	$3,107Cash, 12-month term	$2,197	No	Yes	Yes	No	Not stated on pricing pages
Luvo Health	$3,112.50Every 4 weeks	$2,612.50	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
MEDGm	$3,22812-month supply	$2,028	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

All six show a LegitScript certification seal on their sites. Five state one price at every dose; Luvo Health shows one price per medication. Found and Luvo Health bill every 28 days (13 charges a year).

How to choose a GLP-1 telehealth provider

Price a full year, not the first month. Intro offers and “from” prices hide the gap between a 12-month prepay and month-to-month, which can be $1,000 to $2,000 a year for tirzepatide.
Read the refund policy before prepaying. MEDGm and Gala refund only if you are medically disqualified; CoreAge Rx makes sales final once the prescription is sent to the pharmacy and after 30 days.
Decide compounded or brand-name.Compounded medication is cheaper and not FDA-approved. If you want Wegovy or Zepbound, or want to try insurance, look at MEDGm's membership, Found or Luvo Health.
Check who prescribes and who fills. A licensed clinician should review your history before anything ships, and the pharmacy should be state-licensed (HealthRX and Found say they use licensed 503A compounding pharmacies).
Confirm your state at intake, before you pay.

What the trials found (brand-name drugs)

In STEP 1, adults without diabetes on once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg lost 14.9% of body weight on average at 68 weeks, versus 2.4% on placebo (NEJM 2021). In SURMOUNT-1, tirzepatide 5, 10 and 15 mg produced average losses of 15.0%, 19.5% and 20.9% at 72 weeks, versus 3.1% on placebo (NEJM 2022). Both trials used the FDA-approved products alongside lifestyle counselling. Compounded versions have not been tested in trials like these, and individual results vary.

FDA's red flags

Claims the compounded drug is the same as an FDA-approved drug
Prices that seem too good to be true
No screening and prescription by a licensed clinician before medicine is sent
No licensed clinician available for questions after you receive the medicine
Medicine labelled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption”
Injectables that arrive warm or without enough cold packs

From FDA's page on unapproved GLP-1 drugs. FDA also says compounded drugs should only be used when an FDA-approved drug cannot meet a patient's needs.

Provider by provider

Most included in the price: MEDGm

Visit MEDGm →

Compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide injections, compounded semaglutide tablets, and a membership route to brand-name Zepbound, Wegovy or Ozempic. Care is provided by OpenLoop Health clinicians.

Tirzepatide: from $269/mo; a year costs $3,228 on its 12-month supply; month to month starts at $279.
Semaglutide: from $169/mo; a year costs $2,028 on its 12-month supply.
Brand-name GLP-1: Yes: Zepbound or Wegovy for a $99 membership plus medication cost; Ozempic for a $171 membership plus medication cost.
Insurance: No insurance needed; HSA/FSA accepted.
Labs: Lab work and a metabolic report are included in the price (per MEDGm).
States: Terms say services are available in all 50 states and DC, but certain services or medications may not be available in every state.
Refunds: Full refund if a licensed provider determines you don’t qualify; no refund on cancellation otherwise.
Cancelling: Cancel any time; the request must arrive at least 72 hours before the next billing date.

Also: Same price at every dose · Side-effect medications included · Klarna on 3-, 6- and 12-month plans · $120 off the first month on the month-to-month plan with the code shown on its pages (WELCOME120OFF).

Watch for: Month-to-month is the most expensive way to buy here; the 12-month plan is billed upfront.

Lowest published 12-month total: HealthRX

Visit HealthRX →

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide injections with one flat price at every dose, from a licensed 503A pharmacy. Monthly or prepaid 3-, 6- and 12-month plans.

Tirzepatide: from $179/mo; a year costs $2,148 on its 12-month plan; month to month starts at $193.
Semaglutide: from $99/mo; a year costs $1,188 on its 12-month plan.
Brand-name GLP-1: No brand-name GLP-1 sales listed.
Insurance: No insurance needed; HSA/FSA eligible.
Labs: Labs not listed as part of the plan.
States: All 50 states, adults 18 and older (per HealthRX).
Refunds: Full refund if a provider does not approve you; unshipped doses refunded on cancellation.
Cancelling: Cancel any time by email; renewals carry a $25 credit off the plan price.

Also: Same price at every dose · Overnight shipping · Publishes renewal prices next to signup prices.

Lowest headline price: CoreAge Rx

Visit CoreAge Rx →

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide (plus microdosing plans) prescribed by US board-certified physicians through MD Integrations, same price at every dose.

Tirzepatide: from $149/mo; a year costs $1,788 on its starting price (terms at checkout).
Semaglutide: from $99/mo; a year costs $1,188 on its starting price (terms at checkout).
Brand-name GLP-1: No brand-name GLP-1 sales listed.
Insurance: No insurance needed; FSA/HSA badge shown.
Labs: Labs not listed as part of the plan.
States: US only; state restrictions, if any, are disclosed during intake (no state is excluded on its site).
Refunds: 100% refund if the provider does not approve you, minus a $50–$100 consultation fee once review has begun; sales are final once a prescription is sent to the pharmacy, and all orders are final after 30 days.
Cancelling: No membership; plan terms are shown at checkout.

Also: Same price at every dose · Free shipping · Klarna / Affirm financing.

Watch for: Its main site says semaglutide “starting at $99/mo” and tirzepatide “starting at $149/mo”, but the checkout landing page it links to (get.coreagerx.com) shows $79 and $129 a month as a one-time purchase. Plan length and billing appear only inside checkout, so we use the higher main-site figures.

If you want to use insurance: Found

Visit Found →

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, brand-name GLP-1 prescriptions and other weight-loss medications, on a cash track or an in-network insurance track. Billed per 28-day cycle.

Tirzepatide: from $259.63/mo; a year costs $3,107 on its cash, 12-month term; month to month starts at $219.
Semaglutide: from $183.59/mo; a year costs $2,197 on its cash, 12-month term.
Brand-name GLP-1: Yes: brand-name GLP-1s can be prescribed; their cost is billed separately and not included in plan prices.
Insurance: Insurance track available (lower plan price plus visit copays, typically around $30 per Found); its state checker shows no insurance plans for California.
Labs: Labs not listed as part of the plan.
States: Prescriptions are at the provider’s discretion and not available in all states (per Found).
Refunds: See Found’s offer terms; not summarized on the pricing pages.
Cancelling: 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month terms; the 12-month price is paid upfront.

Also: Same price at every dose · Medication included in compounded plans · 503A pharmacies with third-party testing · HSA/FSA eligible.

Watch for: Found bills every 28 days, so a year is 13 charges, not 12.

One flat price with coaching: Gala

Visit Gala →

Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide at one flat price at every dose, with provider visits, coaching and an app included. Self-pay only.

Tirzepatide: from $179/mo; a year costs $2,148 on its flat monthly price (“yearly subscription”).
Semaglutide: from $179/mo; a year costs $2,148 on its flat monthly price (“yearly subscription”).
Brand-name GLP-1: No. Gala says it does not sell or ship brand-name medications.
Insurance: Self-pay only; FSA/HSA accepted.
Labs: Labs not listed as part of the plan.
States: Its pages say both “most US states” and “licensed providers in all 50 states”; eligibility is confirmed at intake.
Refunds: Full refund only if its medical provider disqualifies you; no refund on cancellation otherwise.
Cancelling: Cancellation needs 72 hours’ notice before the billing date.

Also: Same price at every dose · Video provider visits and live coaching included · Free 2-day shipping.

Watch for: Gala publishes one price, $179 a month, for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, labelled “Yearly subscription”, while its FAQ says there is no long-term commitment. No 3-, 6- or 12-month totals are published. A headline on its weight-loss page also says “Semaglutide from $129/mo”, a figure no plan card shows.

Cheapest first month, no commitment: Luvo Health

Visit Luvo Health →

Compounded semaglutide (injection or tablets) and tirzepatide, low-dose “microdosing” plans, and brand-name Ozempic or Zepbound, all with clinician review by licensed providers. Billed every 28 days.

Tirzepatide: from $270.49/mo; a year costs $3,112.50 on its every 4 weeks.
Semaglutide: from $227.04/mo; a year costs $2,612.50 on its every 4 weeks.
Brand-name GLP-1: Yes: brand-name Ozempic or Zepbound available.
Insurance: Cash pay; no insurance required.
Labs: Labs not listed as part of the plan.
States: Not stated on the pages we read; confirmed at intake.
Refunds: Not charged for medication if a clinician decides treatment isn’t right for you.
Cancelling: Cancel any time.

Also: Half price on the first 28-day cycle · No consult or membership fee · Microdosing plans from $179.

Watch for: Luvo bills every 28 days, so a year is 13 charges. Its pricing page mentions plans up to 24 weeks but does not print their prices.

Other GLP-1 telehealth companies (not priced here yet)

Well-known providers we have not priced in this edition, and from which we do not earn a commission: Ro, Hims & Hers, Henry Meds, Mochi Health. Check their prices the same way: a full year, the refund policy, and whether the price changes with the dose.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to get a GLP-1 online?

Use coverage if you have it: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge charges eligible Part D enrollees $50 a month for Wegovy, Zepbound KwikPen or Foundayo, and covered commercial plans plus a savings card can cost as little as $25. Without coverage, get a prescription from your own clinician or a telehealth service and buy the brand-name drug direct: Wegovy pill or Foundayo from $149 a month, Wegovy pen $199 for two fills then $349, Zepbound $299 to $449 (TrumpRx.gov, LillyDirect, NovoCare; checked Oct 7, 2026).

Do I need a telehealth company to buy Wegovy or Zepbound at the TrumpRx price?

No. Any licensed prescriber can send the prescription to LillyDirect or NovoCare Pharmacy, or you can take a TrumpRx coupon to a retail pharmacy. Telehealth is one way to get that prescription; Ro, for example, charges $39 for the first month and then $74 to $149 a month for its membership, on top of the same medication prices.

What is the best online provider for compounded GLP-1s?

It depends on what you need, and compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. On published prices checked Oct 7, 2026: MEDGm includes the most in its price (labs, side-effect medication, tablets and a brand-name route); HealthRX has the lowest published 12-month totals ($2,148 tirzepatide, $1,188 semaglutide); Found is the only one here that takes insurance; Luvo Health has the cheapest no-commitment first month.

How much does GLP-1 telehealth cost?

A year of compounded tirzepatide costs $1,788 to $3,228 on each brand's cheapest plan, and compounded semaglutide $1,188 to $2,612.50. Month-to-month plans cost more. Full tables are on our GLP-1 cost page.

Is compounded tirzepatide or semaglutide FDA-approved?

No. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved: FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold. FDA says compounded drugs should only be used when a patient’s medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug.

Compounded or brand-name: what is the difference?

Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are FDA-approved for chronic weight management; Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. Compounded versions are made by a pharmacy for an individual prescription and are not FDA-approved. Brand-name Wegovy, Foundayo and Zepbound now sell for $149 to $449 a month direct from the manufacturer, so compounded is rarely the cheaper choice month-to-month. MEDGm, Found and Luvo Health can also arrange brand-name medication; HealthRX, CoreAge Rx and Gala sell compounded medication only.

How much weight do people lose on GLP-1 medications?

In the STEP 1 trial, adults on FDA-approved semaglutide 2.4 mg lost 14.9% of body weight on average at 68 weeks, versus 2.4% on placebo. In SURMOUNT-1, tirzepatide 5, 10 and 15 mg led to 15.0%, 19.5% and 20.9% average loss at 72 weeks, versus 3.1% on placebo. Those trials used the approved products with lifestyle support; compounded versions have not been studied the same way, and individual results vary.

Can I get a GLP-1 online in every state?

Mostly, but check before paying. HealthRX says all 50 states for adults 18+. MEDGm’s terms say all 50 states and DC, with some services or medications unavailable in some states. CoreAge Rx and Found confirm state availability at intake, and Gala’s own pages give both “most US states” and “all 50 states”.

What if the clinician says I don’t qualify?

MEDGm, HealthRX and Gala give a full refund if you are not approved; CoreAge Rx refunds the medication portion but keeps a $50–$100 consultation fee once review has begun; Luvo Health does not charge for medication if nothing is prescribed.

GLP-1 cost in 2026 →Medicare, insurance, brand-name self-pay and every compounded plan, with a cost calculator.GLP-1 dose escalation scheduler →Week-by-week titration for semaglutide and tirzepatide.Tirzepatide profile →Semaglutide profile →All telehealth guides →How we compare providers →

Sources

Prices and terms come from each brand's own pages, read Oct 7, 2026. We did not use affiliate-network copy or third-party price lists. Regulatory and study lines link to the primary source.