This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.
Wegovy can help people with excess weight and obesity lose weight and improve their health. And you don’t need to drive to a doctor’s office or pharmacy to get it. If eligible, you can get Wegovy online and have it delivered to your door.
If you’ve never gotten a prescription online before, it can sound a little too good to be true, but it’s a simple and straightforward process. Ahead, we’ll cover how to get Wegovy online, including who qualifies for the medication and what to expect from the process.
State Requirements for How to Get Wegovy Online
The process for getting Wegovy online can vary depending on where you live and the company you get it from. For example, some telehealth companies require lab tests, while others deliver medication to your local pharmacy instead of your home address.
You can also get a prescription online and then order the medication through an online pharmacy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tips to make sure you’re using a legitimate online pharmacy if you go that route.
How to Get Wegovy in Person
You can get Wegovy in person if you’d prefer. To get started, make an appointment with your primary care provider.
They’ll probably measure your height and body weight and ask questions about your health history. This can help them determine your eligibility for Wegovy, or if another medication is more suitable.
If eligible, they’ll write you a prescription, which you can then fill at your local pharmacy.
If you’d rather not see your primary care provider for any reason, you can make an appointment with another healthcare professional, like a weight loss specialist, to get Wegovy in person.
Who Qualifies for Wegovy?
Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss and chronic weight management. Specifically, it’s approved for:
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People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
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Those with a BMI of 27 or more with at least one weight-related condition, like hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (like high cholesterol), sleep apnea, or heart disease
Besides weight loss, Wegovy is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.
Even if you fit the bill, the drug isn’t right for everyone. You shouldn’t use Wegovy if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or have certain medical conditions. A healthcare provider can let you know if Wegovy is suitable for you.
Does Insurance Cover Wegovy?
Even if you qualify, you’ll likely find that your health insurance plan doesn’t cover Wegovy. Disappointing, we know.
Weight loss drugs are rarely covered by insurance, despite their ability to improve people’s health. Still, it’s worth checking your plan just in case.
Luckily, you can get Wegovy online without insurance.
How to Get Wegovy Online With Insurance
If your insurance plan covers Wegovy (lucky you!), you can still get the medication online without visiting a medical provider in person. The process will largely look the same.
You’ll start by connecting with a healthcare provider online who can assess whether you’re a good fit for the medication. If you’re eligible, they can write you a prescription.
Some insurance plans require prior authorization. Your prescribing provider will need to submit a request to your insurance company to get approval for Wegovy.
Once you get approval, you can go ahead and get the medication. Instead of paying a telehealth platform or pharmacy out of pocket, your insurance provider is billed.
Some telehealth platforms offer support to help you navigate getting Wegovy online with insurance.
How to Get Wegovy Online Without Insurance
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use those pretax dollars to help reduce the cost of Wegovy online.
If you’re filling your prescription at a pharmacy, you’ll pay there, instead of having them bill your insurance provider.
How Much Does Wegovy Online Cost?
Wegovy costs vary depending on where you get the medication and whether you have insurance coverage.
If your insurance plan covers the drug, your costs will be lower, but you may need to pay a copay or meet a deductible first.
Without insurance, Wegovy can cost $1,300 or more a month from pharmacies, and the cost through telehealth platforms varies.
How to Get Prescribed Wegovy Online: Summing It Up
You can get just about anything online these days — including prescription weight loss medication. Getting Wegovy online means you can skip the doctor’s office and face-to-face convos and have the medication delivered to your door instead.
Here are some final pointers for how to get a Wegovy prescription online:
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Wegovy is a prescription medication. Whether you’re getting it online or in person, you can’t get it over the counter. You’ll need to connect with a healthcare provider and get a valid prescription to access the medication.
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You’ll need to qualify for Wegovy. It’s FDA-approved for those with a BMI of 30 or more or 27 or more with at least one weight-related health condition. You’ll usually answer questions about your health history to make sure the drug is safe and appropriate for you.
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Take advantage of online weight loss programs. Wegovy is typically prescribed alongside lifestyle changes, like eating a reduced-calorie diet and doing more physical activity. If you get Wegovy through a telehealth platform, you may get access to tools, resources, and support to help you make these changes.
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Consider alternatives. Affordable alternatives include compounded GLP-1s and oral medications like metformin, topiramate, and naltrexone.
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This article originally appeared on Hers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
