Option 1: Online Telehealth Providers (Recommended for Most)
Best Overall: Online Telehealth
Online telehealth platforms like Coreage RX, Hims & Hers, and Ro offer the fastest, most affordable access to tirzepatide for most people.
- ✓Lowest cost: $249-500/month vs. $1,000+ for brand-name
- ✓Fast access: Start within 2-5 days, not weeks
- ✓No office visits: Everything remote
- ✓Quality verified: 503B facilities with testing
- ✓Transparent pricing: Know costs upfront
- •Compounded only (no brand-name in most cases)
- •No insurance coverage (cash-pay only)
- •Less in-person medical relationship
- •Vials + syringes vs. auto-injector pens
Top Online Providers:
- Coreage RX: $249-399/month, 24-48 hour delivery, 503B facilities
- Hims & Hers: $199-399/month, both compounded and brand-name options
- Ro: $297-389/month, can work with insurance for brand-name
- Calibrate: $135/month program + medication costs, includes coaching
Option 2: Traditional Doctor or Primary Care Physician
Your Existing Doctor
- ✓ Existing care relationship
- ✓ May accept insurance
- ✓ Integrated with your health records
- ✓ Can order comprehensive labs
- • May not be familiar with GLP-1s for weight loss
- • Appointment wait times (often weeks)
- • Insurance often doesn't cover for weight loss
- • Brand-name pricing without coverage: $1,000+/month
The Reality:
Many primary care physicians are hesitant to prescribe GLP-1 medications for weight loss. They may:
- Not be familiar with tirzepatide dosing protocols for weight management
- Prefer endocrinology or bariatric medicine referrals
- Only prescribe for diabetes (Mounjaro), not weight loss (Zepbound)
- Have limited availability for weight management consultations
If your doctor is willing and your insurance covers tirzepatide for weight loss (rare), this can be the most affordable option at $25-100/month co-pay. If not covered, you'll pay full brand-name pricing ($1,000+/month) or need to ask about compounded alternatives.
Option 3: Weight Loss Clinics
Specialized Weight Loss Centers
- ✓ Specialized in weight management
- ✓ Often includes nutrition counseling
- ✓ Regular monitoring and support
- ✓ In-person care if preferred
- ✓ May offer compounded options
- • Higher total cost ($400-800+/month)
- • Program fees on top of medication costs
- • May require long-term commitments
- • Geographic limitations (need to visit in-person)
Examples of Weight Loss Clinics:
- National chains: Medical Weight Loss Clinic, Physicians Weight Loss Centers, Profile by Sanford
- Regional programs: Hospital-affiliated bariatric medicine programs
- Independent practices: Local weight loss doctors and clinics
Weight loss clinics typically charge $150-400/month for the program (visits, counseling, monitoring) plus medication costs. Total monthly cost usually exceeds $500-800 when medication is included. This makes sense if you want comprehensive support beyond just the medication.
Option 4: Medical Spas & Aesthetic Centers
Med Spas Offering GLP-1s
- ✓ Local, in-person service
- ✓ Fast access (often same week)
- ✓ May offer injection assistance
- ✓ Comfortable spa environment
- ✗ Highest pricing ($500-1,000+/month)
- ✗ Variable quality standards
- ✗ May use questionable compounding sources
- ✗ Limited medical oversight in some cases
Not all medical spas maintain the same quality and safety standards. Before using a med spa for tirzepatide:
- • Verify the prescribing physician is licensed in your state
- • Ask about compounding pharmacy source (should be 503B facility)
- • Confirm third-party testing for compounded medications
- • Understand total costs upfront (some have hidden fees)
- • Check if physician provides ongoing monitoring, not just initial prescription
Some med spas prioritize aesthetics over medical rigor. If they can't answer these questions clearly, that's a red flag.
Option 5: Retail Pharmacies (With Existing Prescription)
CVS, Walgreens, Costco, etc.
Retail pharmacies can fill tirzepatide prescriptions, but you still need to get the prescription from a doctor first. Pricing depends entirely on insurance coverage.
- ✓ Co-pay: $25-250/month (typically)
- ✓ Pick up locally at familiar pharmacy
- ✓ Brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound
- ✗ Cash price: $1,000-1,200/month
- ✗ Manufacturer coupons help but limited
- ✗ Often supply shortages for brand-name
Retail pharmacies don't prescribe medications—they only fill prescriptions. You still need to get a prescription from a doctor through one of the other channels above. Retail pharmacies work best if you have insurance coverage for brand-name tirzepatide.
Decision Framework: Which Option Is Right for You?
Choose Online Telehealth If:
- ✓ You want the fastest, most affordable access ($249-500/month)
- ✓ You're paying out of pocket (no insurance coverage)
- ✓ You're comfortable with remote medical consultations
- ✓ You don't mind using vials + syringes instead of auto-injector pens
- ✓ You value transparent pricing and no surprise fees
Choose Your Traditional Doctor If:
- ✓ You have insurance that covers GLP-1s for weight loss (rare)
- ✓ Your doctor is already knowledgeable about tirzepatide
- ✓ You prefer an existing care relationship
- ✓ You want tirzepatide integrated with your broader health management
Choose a Weight Loss Clinic If:
- ✓ You want comprehensive support beyond medication
- ✓ Nutrition counseling and coaching are important to you
- ✓ You're willing to pay $400-800+/month for a full program
- ✓ You prefer in-person, specialized weight management care
Avoid Medical Spas Unless:
- • You've verified physician credentials and licensing
- • They use 503B compounding facilities with third-party testing
- • Pricing is transparent and competitive (not inflated)
- • They provide ongoing medical oversight, not just prescriptions
Cost Comparison: Total Monthly Investment
| Option | Low End | High End | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Telehealth (compounded) | $249 | $500 | $299-399 |
| Doctor (with insurance) | $25 | $250 | $100-150 |
| Doctor (brand, no insurance) | $1,000 | $1,400 | $1,100-1,200 |
| Weight Loss Clinic | $400 | $800+ | $500-650 |
| Medical Spa | $500 | $1,000+ | $600-800 |
Our Recommendation: Start Online, Verify Quality
Why Online Telehealth Wins for Most People
Unless you have insurance coverage for brand-name tirzepatide, online telehealth providers offer the best combination of cost, speed, and quality:
- ✓$249-500/month vs. $500-1,200+ through other channels
- ✓2-5 day access vs. weeks of waiting for doctor appointments
- ✓503B facilities with third-party testing = quality verified
- ✓Transparent pricing with no hidden program fees or commitments
- ✓Physician oversight included at all price points
Specifically, we recommend starting with Coreage RX at $249-399/month with 24-48 hour delivery and verified 503B sourcing.
The Bottom Line
The "best place" to get tirzepatide depends on your insurance status, budget, and preferences—but for most people paying out of pocket, online telehealth wins on cost, speed, and convenience.
If you have insurance coverage for tirzepatide (rare for weight loss), work with your traditional doctor and retail pharmacy for the lowest co-pay. If not covered, online providers at $249-500/month beat medical spas ($500-1,000+), weight loss clinics ($400-800+), and brand-name cash pricing ($1,000+).
Whichever channel you choose, verify physician licensing, pharmacy registration, and quality standards (503B facilities with third-party testing for compounded options). Price matters, but safety and efficacy matter more.
Ready to Get Started?
Compare top-rated online providers to find the best option for your budget and needs.