Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. SterlingMedicalCenter.org is an independent health research publication. Content may contain affiliate links — see our Research Standards & Disclosures for details. Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products. Prescriptions require a licensed clinician's evaluation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any prescription medication or treatment program.
By SterlingMedicalCenter.org Editorial Team
Quick Answer: This comparison evaluates four GLP-1 telehealth programs — Hers, MEDVi, Novi, and Ro — against six disclosed dimensions: pricing transparency, billing commitment structure, provider credentialing, compounding status disclosure, cancellation terms clarity, and 2026 regulatory standing. No program is ranked first. Each is matched to the reader scenario it genuinely suits. All four use compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide — not FDA-approved finished drug products — and all require licensed clinician evaluation before prescribing.
How We Evaluated These GLP-1 Telehealth Programs
This comparison was produced by the SMC Research Desk in May 2026. Programs were selected based on market presence, SERP visibility, and relevance to adults researching compounded GLP-1 telehealth access in the U.S. market. No programs paid for inclusion or positioning. The four programs compared — Hers, MEDVi, Novi, and Ro — are ordered alphabetically, not by quality, price, or affiliation.
Each program was evaluated against six dimensions: pricing transparency (is pricing clearly stated upfront without requiring checkout to discover total cost?); billing commitment structure (is the commitment month-to-month or does it involve upfront multi-month payment?); provider credentialing (are licensed clinicians identified with verifiable credentials?); compounding status disclosure (is the compounded vs. FDA-approved distinction disclosed proactively?); cancellation terms clarity (are cancellation instructions unambiguous and consistent across FAQ and legal documents?); and 2026 regulatory standing (does the program's advertising and compounding pathway appear consistent with FDA guidance?). No independent product testing was conducted. All information is sourced from each program's published materials, verified in May 2026. This comparison may include affiliate relationships disclosed in the article disclaimer.
The Comparison Framework: Decision Points That Matter in 2026
In 2025, the primary decision point for most consumers was price. In 2026, two additional factors have become equally important: billing commitment structure and regulatory standing. Multiple compounded GLP-1 programs use promotional pricing that implies month-to-month access while embedding multi-month upfront billing commitments in their Terms of Service. And the 2026 FDA enforcement environment means the long-term availability of compounded GLP-1 products cannot be assumed. A program that offers the lowest monthly price but locks in three months of non-refundable upfront charges is not necessarily the best value — especially in a regulatory environment where program availability may shift.
The questions this comparison answers: Which program is most transparent about what you are actually committing to? Which suits a patient who needs maximum flexibility? Which suits a patient who has already been clinically evaluated and wants the most comprehensive bundled program? Which suits a patient for whom price is the primary constraint?
Hers (Hims & Hers)
Hers is the women's health brand within the Hims & Hers Health platform, one of the largest telehealth companies in the U.S. It offers compounded semaglutide for weight management through a clinician-led intake process. As a publicly traded company (NYSE: HIMS), Hims & Hers operates with higher public disclosure requirements than private telehealth competitors.
In February 2026, Novo Nordisk filed suit against Hims & Hers, alleging illegal mass compounding and deceptive advertising related to compounded oral semaglutide products. This litigation is ongoing. Hers has continued operating its injectable compounded semaglutide program, which uses a different manufacturing pathway (503A patient-specific compounding) than the oral compounded products cited in the lawsuit. Prospective patients should review current program terms directly with Hers, as litigation may affect program structure or availability. Pricing has varied; published figures as of early 2026 placed compounded injectable semaglutide in a range comparable to other programs in this comparison. Verify at hers.com before enrolling.
Hers suits: patients who are comfortable with a large, publicly traded telehealth platform and want the additional disclosure accountability that comes with SEC reporting requirements, and who want to review the current litigation status before enrolling.
MEDVi
MEDVi is a compounded GLP-1 telehealth program that has been noted in independent comparative reviews as offering low monthly pricing for compounded semaglutide with a month-to-month billing structure — a genuinely month-to-month model without the multi-month upfront commitment documented in some competing programs' Terms of Service.
MEDVi's program includes telehealth care overseen by licensed healthcare providers through the OpenLoop Health network. Some independent reviews note that MEDVi's program includes less structured coaching and follow-up care than programs with higher monthly pricing. The trade-off described consistently across comparative reviews: lower monthly cost and genuine billing flexibility in exchange for a lighter-weight clinical support structure. Verify current pricing and program terms at medvi.org before enrolling, as pricing in this category changes frequently.
MEDVi suits: patients who have already established their eligibility through a physician evaluation, who want to minimize their financial commitment while accessing a compounded GLP-1 prescription, and who do not require intensive structured coaching.
Novi
Novi (operated by Novi International LLC, Sheridan, WY) offers compounded semaglutide from $133/month and compounded tirzepatide from $166/month under promotional pricing as of May 2026, with a stated $200 discount on selected offer pages. The program includes a 4-week supply, administration supplies, free 2-day shipping, unlimited clinician access, and health coaching in the base price. The provider team is publicly identified with verifiable board certifications. LegitScript certification is confirmed by independent analysis.
The primary issue requiring prospective patients' attention is the inconsistency between Novi's FAQ (month-to-month, cancel anytime) and its Terms of Service (3-month minimum commitment, 3 months billed upfront, non-refundable). These are materially inconsistent documents. The Terms of Service is the legally binding language. Before enrolling, email support@joinnovi.com and obtain written confirmation of which billing structure applies to your specific enrollment. If the 3-month upfront commitment applies, the effective upfront cost at promotional pricing is $399 for semaglutide or $498 for tirzepatide. The detailed analysis of Novi's program structure, verified terms, and 2026 regulatory context is available in our full Novi GLP-1 review.
Novi suits: patients who want a bundled all-inclusive program with coaching, have confirmed the applicable billing terms in writing, and are comfortable with the compounded medication status and current regulatory environment for their prescription.
Ro Body
Ro is a direct-to-consumer telehealth company offering prescription weight management through its Ro Body program. Ro has offered both compounded and branded medication options depending on availability and patient eligibility. Ro is among the telehealth platforms that expanded its compounded GLP-1 program significantly during the 2023–2024 shortage period and has navigated the post-shortage regulatory environment alongside other major platforms.
Ro's program structure has included higher monthly pricing than some competitors in exchange for a more clinically structured program offering. Pricing has changed across the 2025–2026 period as the regulatory environment evolved. Current pricing and program terms should be verified directly at ro.co before any enrollment decision, as Ro has made program structure adjustments in response to FDA enforcement activity in the compounded GLP-1 space. Ro suits: patients willing to pay a premium for a more clinically structured program with a larger, more established company.
Side-by-Side: The Six Decision Points
Pricing transparency: MEDVi and Novi publish clear starting prices. Ro's pricing has required more direct verification. Hers' pricing has fluctuated in response to market and regulatory conditions.
Billing commitment structure: MEDVi is noted for genuine month-to-month flexibility. Novi's Terms of Service contains a 3-month upfront commitment — confirm before enrolling. Hers and Ro's billing structures should be verified directly, given the ongoing program evolution.
Provider credentialing: All four programs publish licensed clinician involvement. Novi's provider team is individually identified with board certifications on their published provider page — a transparency level not consistently matched across all programs.
Compounding status disclosure: All four programs use compounded medications, not FDA-approved finished drug products. Programs that disclose this proactively in their primary marketing materials rather than burying it in terms documents receive higher marks on this dimension.
Cancellation terms clarity: MEDVi's noted flexibility is a differentiator. Novi has a documented inconsistency between FAQ and Terms of Service that must be resolved in writing. Hers and Ro should be reviewed directly for current terms.
2026 regulatory standing: Hers faces active litigation from Novo Nordisk on compounded oral semaglutide (injectable program continues). Novi, MEDVi, and Ro are operating under the 503A patient-specific pathway, which is not prohibited but is subject to evolving individualized-need documentation requirements. All four programs operate in an actively evolving regulatory environment — no program has guaranteed continuity for compounded GLP-1 prescriptions through 2026 and beyond.
Which Program for Which Situation
For maximum billing flexibility with lower upfront risk: MEDVi is the most frequently cited option in independent comparative reviews for its documented month-to-month structure and competitive pricing. Best suited to patients who want to minimize commitment risk during initial treatment and have already established clinical eligibility.
For an all-inclusive bundled program with coaching at competitive promotional pricing: Novi's offer-page pricing and bundled structure (medication, supplies, shipping, coaching, clinician access in a single monthly fee) represents a reasonable value for patients who will use the coaching and clinical support components and who verify the billing commitment terms in writing before enrolling.
For patients comfortable with a large publicly traded platform and willing to review current litigation context: Hers, with the caveat that the February 2026 Novo Nordisk lawsuit status should be reviewed before enrolling and current pricing confirmed directly.
For patients who want a more clinically structured program and are less price-sensitive: Ro suits patients prioritizing program depth and company scale over lowest monthly cost. Verify current program structure and pricing directly, as Ro has made adjustments in the 2025–2026 regulatory period.
For a full breakdown of the Novi program terms and what to confirm before enrolling, see our Novi GLP-1 review. For the clinical mechanism behind GLP-1 medications, see how GLP-1 affects weight loss. For the safety profile of this medication class, see our GLP-1 safety guide. For a comparison of the AltRx telehealth GLP-1 program, see the AltRx telehealth GLP-1 program review also on SterlingMedicalCenter.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest GLP-1 telehealth program in 2026?
MEDVi has been noted in independent reviews as offering competitive low monthly pricing for compounded semaglutide with genuine month-to-month flexibility. Novi's promotional pricing of $133/month for compounded semaglutide is also competitive, but the Terms of Service include a 3-month minimum commitment billed upfront that affects the effective commitment. The binding price for any program is what appears at checkout with written confirmation — headline monthly figures on promotional pages may not reflect the full billing structure. Confirm the total upfront charge and commitment terms in writing before selecting based on price alone.
Which GLP-1 telehealth program is the most legitimate?
All four programs in this comparison use licensed U.S. clinicians and licensed compounding pharmacies. Legitimacy in 2026 should be evaluated across: independent clinician evaluation (prescription not guaranteed), proactive compounding status disclosure, consistent and transparent billing terms across FAQ and legal documents, and pharmacy partner compliance with current FDA guidance. Programs that guarantee prescriptions before evaluation, imply equivalence to FDA-approved products, or have inconsistencies between their FAQ and Terms of Service warrant additional scrutiny before enrollment.
Do any GLP-1 telehealth programs offer tirzepatide?
Multiple programs including Novi offer compounded tirzepatide alongside compounded semaglutide. Novi's promotional pricing lists compounded tirzepatide from $166/month as of May 2026. Tirzepatide's shortage designation was resolved in December 2024, affecting the legal basis under which broad compounding was previously justified. Availability and compliance vary by program and state. Confirm current tirzepatide availability directly with any program before enrolling.
What should I ask a GLP-1 telehealth program before enrolling?
Five questions matter most: (1) What are the exact billing terms — is this genuinely month-to-month or is there a minimum commitment billed upfront? Get this in writing. (2) Which specific pharmacy will fulfill my prescription, and is that pharmacy currently in FDA compliance for compounding GLP-1 medications? (3) What is the exact cancellation cutoff to avoid another charge? (4) Is the prescription guaranteed, or issued only if a clinician independently determines it is medically appropriate? (5) What happens to my program if compounded GLP-1 availability is restricted by regulatory changes?
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products. Program information is verified as of May 2026 and is subject to change. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any prescription medication or treatment program. See our Research Standards & Disclosures for affiliate relationship details.