Question 1

How does virtual care work for Weight Care+?

Accepted Answer

Virtual care for Weight Care+ involves ongoing visits with a healthcare provider. During your first visit, your provider will review and evaluate your medical history and order any appropriate lab testing that may be needed to determine whether weight loss medication may be for you. At your second visit, your provider will evaluate your test results, discuss your personal health and weight-related goals, and help you design a personalized care plan. In addition to lifestyle recommendations, your care plan may include a prescription for weight loss medication. Once you begin the medication, you'll have regular check-ins with your provider, who will review your weight loss progress, assess your medication tolerance, order follow-up lab testing or prescription refills, and adjust your care plan as needed.

Question 2

What is a GLP-1?

Accepted Answer

GLP-1s are medications that work by regulating your appetite to reduce the amount of food you eat. Studies have shown they can reduce weight by up to 15% in many people who take them for a year or longer, when combined with healthy lifestyle choices.*

Weight loss isn’t about willpower. There are biological factors that impact your metabolism, hunger, and weight that are outside of your control.

GLP-1s make you feel full longer, curb food cravings, and help your body process sugars more efficiently (source). This is why these drugs are often prescribed and used for the management of type 2 diabetes or obesity.

These medications are sometimes used along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management. Some GLP-1 medications are also used in patients with diabetes to help with blood sugar management.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®, RYBELSUS®, Ozempic®
Liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®)
Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

Your provider will assess your health needs to determine if medication is best suited for you. They will answer any questions about GLP-1s you have during your initial consult.

*Source: National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Semaglutide improves cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with overweight or obesity: STEP 1 and 4 exploratory analyses. E-published October 28, 2022.

Question 3

Who is eligible to take weight loss medication?

Accepted Answer

While prescriptions are not guaranteed for all patients, you may be eligible for a prescription for weight loss medication if you are over 18 years of age and your healthcare provider determines that you meet certain criteria, such as weight and specific associated health conditions.

Question 4

Who should not take GLP-1 prescription weight loss medication?

Accepted Answer

You may not be eligible for a GLP-1 prescription if you meet any of the following criteria:

Currently pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant in the next year
Family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer
Personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
Active eating disorder or history of eating disorder (bulimia, anorexia, etc.)
Currently being treated for cancer
Active drug or alcohol misuse
Suicidal thoughts or past attempts
Mental health disorders (bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)
Current or history of pancreatitis
Bariatric surgery (within the last 18 months)
Heart attack (within the last 12 months)
Heart failure
Organ transplant or immunosuppressive therapy
Severe gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroparesis and inflammatory bowel disease
Gallbladder disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Diabetic retinopathy
Insulin use
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) or tachycardia

Question 5

What is the cost of Weight Care+?

Accepted Answer

The Weight Care+ program costs $99 a month with an initial 12-month commitment or $139 a month with an initial 3-month commitment. This includes ongoing regular virtual consults with a clinician, writing and renewing GLP-1 prescriptions (if applicable), expert help navigating insurance for prescription coverage, an included at-home lab test or 3-month Daily Multivitamin or Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement supply delivered each quarter (note: at-home lab tests are not available to NY residents due to state regulation of laboratory testing), support for conditions such as prediabetes and high cholesterol, and digital features within the Everlywell app.

Note that the following items are not included in the program fee, and their cost may vary depending on insurance coverage:

Lab Testing (other than included quarterly at-home tests): Lab testing is required before your provider prescribes weight loss medication. Required labs include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), hemoglobin A1c, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and a lipid panel. You can work with Quest or another lab of your choice directly to determine if coverage is available through your insurance plan. The cost of lab testing varies based on your insurance coverage and the labs near you.

Note that certain co-conditions, such as prediabetes and high cholesterol, may require additional ongoing testing. As part of the program, users outside of NY can get an included at-home lab test each quarter (Heart Health, Cholesterol & Lipids, HbA1c). At-home lab tests are not available to NY residents due to state regulation of laboratory testing. If more frequent testing is required, those tests would require an additional fee.

Medication (based on insurance coverage): Your clinical care team will work with you to identify the most affordable and effective medication based on your health needs and insurance coverage. With insurance, GLP-1 prescriptions are typically more affordable, but your exact cost will depend on your insurance plan. If you are uninsured, underinsured, or if the medication is not covered by your insurance, your provider may be able to help you find a prescription discount card. If you are unable to use insurance or a discount card, GLP-1 prescription medication costs may range from $900 to $1,400 for a one-month supply. Everlywell does not directly sell GLP-1 or other medications. Prescriptions can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice.

Question 6

Are virtual visits for Weight Care+ covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Virtual visits for Weight Care+ are not currently covered by insurance. However, some insurance plans may cover other costs related to weight loss treatment, such as lab testing and prescription weight loss medication.

Question 7

Is GLP-1 medication covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

GLP-1 medication may be covered by your insurance plan. If needed, your clinician can help you navigate the prior authorization process. We will use your insurance information to help find affordable prescription options for you.

Question 8

Is lab testing required for this program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lab testing is required before your provider prescribes GLP-1 medication. This helps to ensure you are healthy enough to start a weight loss program. Required labs include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), hemoglobin A1c, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and a lipid panel. These labs may also need to be repeated periodically to monitor how your body is responding to the medication.

Question 9

Where can I get the initial lab testing done?

Accepted Answer

Your provider will direct you to have your lab testing performed at your nearest Quest laboratory. Additionally, if you have completed the required lab testing in the past six months, you can upload them for your clinician to review.

Question 10

What is the cost of the initial lab testing?

Accepted Answer

The cost of the initial in-person lab testing will vary depending on your location and if you are using insurance or paying out-of-pocket. To confirm if lab testing is covered by your insurance plan, contact your insurance carrier directly.

Question 11

Is the initial lab testing covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Lab testing may be covered by your insurance plan. To confirm coverage, contact your insurance carrier directly.

Question 12

What at-home tests and supplements are included in the program?

Accepted Answer

As part of the program, you will get to choose one of these at-home lab tests or supplements every three months*:

These have been selected to support preventive health and common conditions associated with weight care.

*You can place your first order after completing three months in the program.

** At-home lab tests are not available to NY residents due to state regulation of laboratory testing.

Question 13

What additional conditions are supported as part of the program?

Accepted Answer

As part of this program, we will provide additional care for the following conditions: high cholesterol and prediabetes.  If these conditions are detected while you are in the program, your clinician will work with you to prescribe additional medications, offer care, and recommend additional lab testing, as needed.

Question 14

How much weight can you lose with GLP-1 medication?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss results vary depending on your starting weight, medical conditions, lifestyle changes, and type of weight loss medication. Many people who take GLP-1 medications for a 68-week period or longer have reported losing up to 15% of their starting body weight, when combined with healthy lifestyle choices.

Question 15

What happens if my BMI falls below 27?

Accepted Answer

If your BMI falls below 27, you may no longer need GLP-1 medications and your insurance may no longer cover them. In this scenario, your healthcare provider will reevaluate whether you can continue on the program

Question 16

What are age restrictions for visits?

Accepted Answer

At this time, only patients aged 18+ are eligible for Weight Care+.

Question 17

What are the limitations of Weight Care+ for NY residents?

Accepted Answer

Due to state regulation of laboratory testing, we are currently unable to include at-home lab testing for NY residents.

This means that every three months, NY residents will be able to select either a 3-month supply of multivitamin gummies or a 3-month supply of omega-3 supplements as part of the program. If additional lab testing is required, your clinician will write you a lab order for Quest or another lab, which may be covered by insurance.

Question 18

What kinds of providers are available?

Accepted Answer

Your licensed board-certified nurse practitioners are qualified to prescribe medication, order lab tests, and assess your symptoms and health goals to create a customized care plan for you.

Question 19

Will I get to choose the provider I schedule an appointment with?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can choose from the available providers licensed in your state when scheduling your appointment.

Question 20

Will I be able to speak to the same provider during follow-up visits?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, you can expect to speak with the same provider.  However, this cannot be guaranteed and depends on provider availability.

Question 21

How will my information be kept private?

Accepted Answer

Our services are HIPAA-compliant and follow privacy guidelines. We use industry-leading technology to ensure your personal information is kept safe and confidential.

Question 22

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Accepted Answer

The Everlywell Weight Care+ program requires a 3-month or 12-month commitment, depending on your plan. In certain extenuating circumstances, we will offer a refund or early cancellation:

If you are not eligible for the program based on new lab results or factors that come to light after at least one virtual consult, you may cancel immediately but will not receive a refund for prior months.
If your insurance will not cover medication or if medication is too costly for you to proceed with the program, we will allow you to cancel immediately but will not refund prior months.

If you have questions or would like to request a refund or cancellation, please contact our Customer Experience team at contact@everlywell.com.

Weight care for the whole you

Lose up to 15% of your body weight with GLP-1s

Lose up to 15% of your body weight with GLP-1s

What are GLP-1s?

Reduce hunger

Stabilize blood sugar

Slow stomach emptying

Get the right tools to monitor and treat weight-related conditions