ro vs MEDVi: Brand-Name GLP-1s With Insurance Help or All-In Compounded Care?
One program sells the real Wegovy and Zepbound. The other bundles a dietitian and coaching into $99
Reviewed for medical accuracy by Francheska Capistrano, RMT, MPH · Medical Content Reviewer
Reviewed · Written by The Top Weight Loss Editorial Team · How we review
We may earn a commission from links on this page - it never affects our rankings (how we stay objective).
The verdict
9.6/10 vs 8.7/10
ro is the stronger pick for most people - FDA-approved Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Foundayo. Full reasoning, pricing and the cases where MEDVi wins are below.
| At a glance | ro | MEDVi |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39 first month + medication | $99/mo all-in (promo) |
| Medications | Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Foundayo | Compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide |
| Prescription | Required - online provider review | Required - online provider review |
| Delivery | Varies by pharmacy | Free |
Prices are the providers’ published rates at our last verification - confirm the final figure at checkout, as offers change. How we verify prices
Brand-name, FDA-approved GLP-1s only - Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Foundayo - with an insurance concierge
- FDA-approved brand-name medication only
- Insurance checks & prior authorizations handled
- Membership $39 first month
All-inclusive compounded GLP-1 care - clinician visits, dietitian access and coaching bundled into one monthly price
- Semaglutide $99/mo, tirzepatide $166/mo (promo)
- Clinician visits, dietitian & coaching included
- No membership or hidden fees
The full breakdown
ro vs MEDVi: a closer look at each
Both are credible providers in this category, and the right pick comes down to fit. So instead of crowning a “winner,” here’s the real rundown on each - what you get, what it actually costs, and what real customers are saying - so you can pick the one that fits you.
What is ro?
ro is one of the largest and most established direct-to-consumer telehealth brands in the US, founded in 2017, and its weight-loss program takes a deliberately different path from most GLP-1 sites: it prescribes only brand-name, FDA-approved medications - Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Foundayo - and does not sell compounded GLP-1s at all. Its standout feature is an insurance concierge that checks your coverage and handles prior authorizations, which can be the difference between paying hundreds of dollars a month and paying a copay.
Read the full ro breakdown▾
The trade-off is pricing that is harder to predict: you pay a membership fee, and the medication is billed separately. This review covers how ro works, what it really costs, and who it fits.
What you get with ro
- Brand-name, FDA-approved medication only: Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Foundayo
- Oral pill or injection pen options
- Insurance concierge - coverage checks and prior authorizations handled
- Labs when clinically indicated
- Async intake with optional video; unlimited provider messaging
- Available nationwide
Who ro is best for
- People whose insurance may cover Wegovy or Zepbound
- Anyone who wants only FDA-approved, brand-name medication
- Those who want an established company handling the insurance paperwork
- Skip it if you are uninsured and price is your main concern - a compounded program like embody costs much less
How much does ro cost?
ro bills a membership and your medication separately.
Full pricing details▾
The membership is $39 for the first month, then $149/month, or you can save up to 50% with an annual plan (about $74/month). Medication is not included: its cost depends on whether your insurance covers it, or on the manufacturer's self-pay price if it does not.
If you are insured and approved, total cost can be far lower than any cash-pay program; if you are not, brand-name medication plus membership will usually cost more than compounded options. Confirm the current membership price at checkout.
Monthly membership
Brand-name GLP-1 (billed separately)
Then $149/mo
- Insurance concierge
- Unlimited provider messaging
- Medication cost via insurance or self-pay
Annual membership
Brand-name GLP-1 (billed separately)
Billed annually - save up to 50%
- Lowest membership rate
- Prior authorizations handled
- Labs when indicated
What we like about ro
- Only FDA-approved, brand-name medication - no compounded products
- Insurance concierge handles coverage checks and prior authorizations
- Oral and injectable options
- Large, long-established telehealth company with unlimited provider messaging
- Available nationwide
Worth keeping in mind
- Medication is billed separately from the membership, so the total is harder to predict
- Without insurance, brand-name medication plus $149/month membership is usually far more expensive than compounded programs
- Prior authorizations can take time, and insurance may still deny coverage
- No compounded option for people who want the lowest cash price
What real ro customers are saying
ro reviews on
TrustpilotI am very happy with my experience so...
“I am very happy with my experience so far with ro . I look forward to my progress in weight loss journey..thank you sincerely Dawn Pollard”
Dawn Pollard
US
Great support
“Great support, doctor wanted to ensure dosage was correct to start. Pticing is less than competitor.”
Annette Spradling
US
The process was a little confusing
“The process was a little confusing. I am waiting on my prescription”
Leslie Flores
US
Quick Response and Receipt of Product
“Quick responses during setup and I received my package within three days. Price is very reasonable too.”
Carolynn Saris
US
What is MEDVi?
MEDVi takes a different approach to pricing from most GLP-1 telehealth brands: instead of a low medication price with add-ons, it bundles everything into one monthly figure. Clinician visits, access to a dietitian and coaching are all included, shipping is free, and there is no separate membership or hidden fee.
Read the full MEDVi breakdown▾
Plans carry no commitment and HSA/FSA funds are accepted. Licensed US clinicians handle prescribing, and brand-name options are available through your clinician if compounded medication is not the right fit.
It also has one of the largest review bases on our list - 4.3 / 5 from 14,978 Trustpilot reviews. As with every compounded program, the medication is not FDA-approved.
This review covers what MEDVi costs, what the bundle includes and who it suits.
What you get with MEDVi
- Compounded semaglutide $99/month and tirzepatide $166/month (promo rates)
- All-inclusive: clinician visits, dietitian access and coaching in the price
- No membership fee and no hidden fees
- No commitment; HSA/FSA accepted
- Licensed US clinicians; brand-name options via your clinician
- Free shipping
Who MEDVi is best for
- People who want nutrition and coaching support bundled with their medication
- Anyone who wants one predictable price with no membership or add-on fees
- Those who value a large, well-rated customer base
- Skip it if you only want the medication at the lowest price - embody and wellmedr cost less
How much does MEDVi cost?
MEDVi charges one all-inclusive monthly price: compounded semaglutide is $99/month on promo (regular $199) and compounded tirzepatide is $166/month on promo (regular $299).
Full pricing details▾
Clinician visits, dietitian access, coaching and shipping are included, with no membership or hidden fees and no commitment. HSA/FSA funds are accepted.
The promo rates are time-limited - after the promotion the regular prices are among the highest on our list, so confirm which rate applies at checkout. Brand-name options are available through your clinician at separate pricing.
Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved.
Semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide
Promo rate - no commitment
- Clinician visits included
- Dietitian access & coaching
- No membership or hidden fees
Tirzepatide
Compounded tirzepatide
Promo rate - no commitment
- All-inclusive price
- Free shipping
- HSA/FSA accepted
What we like about MEDVi
- Genuinely all-inclusive - clinician visits, dietitian access and coaching in one price
- No membership or hidden fees, and no commitment
- Strong customer feedback at scale (4.3 / 5 from 14,978 Trustpilot reviews)
- Brand-name options available through the same clinician
- HSA/FSA accepted, free shipping
Worth keeping in mind
- Higher promo prices than embody or wellmedr - $99 semaglutide and $166 tirzepatide
- Regular prices ($199 / $299) are steep once the promotion ends
- Compounded medication is not FDA-approved or FDA-reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality
- If you do not need coaching or a dietitian, you are paying for support you will not use
What real MEDVi customers are saying
MEDVi reviews on
TrustpilotI luv how they keep up with my health...
“I luv how they keep up with my health and well-being. I've had nothing but great experience with all I've spoken with.”
Deborah Thompson
US
5-star experience
“The provider, Monique, was very personable, professional and helpful.”
Gigi
US
Nestor was patient and answered all my...
“Nestor was patient and answered all my questions thoroughly.”
Heidi
US
Responding to MEDVi
“I don’t want to send a review. I jsit wanted to compliment my medical person to MEDVi.”
Wendy Nickels
US
ro vs. MEDVi: What’s the Difference?
The key differences to consider when comparing the two providers.
| ro | MEDVi | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39 first month + medication | $99/mo all-in (promo) |
| Medications | Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Foundayo | Compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide |
| FDA-approved | Yes - brand-name only | No - compounded |
| Program fee | $149/mo (~$74/mo annual) | None - included |
| Dietitian & coaching | Not included | Included |
| Insurance | Concierge + prior authorization | Cash-pay, HSA/FSA |
| Commitment | Monthly or annual membership | None |
| Shipping | Varies by pharmacy | Free |
So which one should you pick?
Find the line that sounds like you - that’s your answer.
Here’s the short version
MEDVi and ro are both big names in online weight loss, but they are selling different things. ro is a brand-name shop: FDA-approved Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and the Foundayo pill, plus a team that fights your insurer for coverage. MEDVi is an all-inclusive compounded program: semaglutide or tirzepatide, clinician visits, a dietitian and coaching for one monthly price.
If you have coverage, this comparison is short. If you are paying cash, it gets interesting.
The quick answer
Go with ro if you want
- FDA-approved Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Foundayo
- Insurance concierge and prior-authorization help
- Established national telehealth brand
MEDVi makes more sense if you want
- $99/mo semaglutide, medication included (promo)
- Dietitian access and coaching in the price
- No membership fee, no commitment
Had to pick one for most people? ro. The numbers and customer feedback below are why - and where MEDVi wins instead.
MEDVi vs ro: FAQs
Which is better, MEDVi vs ro?
ro wins if there is any chance your insurance covers a GLP-1 for weight loss: its concierge checks your benefits and handles prior authorization, and you get an FDA-approved medication. MEDVi is the better value for cash payers who want more than a prescription - $99/mo semaglutide or $166/mo tirzepatide (promo prices; regular $199 and $299) with a dietitian and coaching included and no membership fee. Ask MEDVi how long the promo lasts. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and a licensed clinician decides what is right for you.
Is ro cheaper than MEDVi?
Paying cash, MEDVi is far cheaper: $99/mo semaglutide or $166/mo tirzepatide at promo prices with medication, visits and coaching included. ro's membership alone is $149/mo after a $39 first month (about $74/mo on the annual plan), and brand-name medication without coverage costs well over $1,000 a month. With good insurance, ro can come out cheaper.
Which has more medication options, ro or MEDVi?
ro offers only FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1s, in injection or pill form. MEDVi's core program is compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are not FDA-approved or reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality.
Which has better medical support, ro or MEDVi?
MEDVi bundles clinician visits, dietitian access and coaching into the monthly price. ro offers unlimited provider messaging and optional video, but no built-in nutrition coaching.
Insurance help: ro or MEDVi?
ro's insurance concierge checks coverage and handles prior authorizations. MEDVi is cash-pay (HSA/FSA accepted) and does not bill insurance.
Which is the more established brand, ro or MEDVi?
ro has operated nationally since 2017 and is one of the largest direct-to-consumer telehealth companies. MEDVi is newer but has built a large review base - 4.3/5 on Trustpilot from 14,978 reviews.
Related Comparisons
Sources & methodology
We built this comparison of ro and MEDVi from each provider'sown published pricing, plans and policies, cross-checked against regulatory and peer-reviewed medical references, and read alongside real customer feedback. Prices and plan details were verified against the provider's published information; we do not take providers' word for their own claims without checking.
Provider information
Pricing, plans, shipping and policies, checked against each provider's own site.
Provider data checked September 2026
Customer & community feedback
Third-party signals shown on this page and in our full reviews: verified Trustpilot ratings, public Reddit discussions, and independent YouTube reviews. We report what these sources say - we never fold their ratings into our own scores.
Medical & regulatory references
- 1.FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss - U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 2.FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize - U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 3.Wegovy (semaglutide) injection - prescribing information - U.S. Food & Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA)
- 4.Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection - prescribing information - U.S. Food & Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA)
- 5.Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1) - Wilding et al. - New England Journal of Medicine, 2021;384:989-1002
- 6.Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1) - Jastreboff et al. - New England Journal of Medicine, 2022;387:205-216
- 7.Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-5) - Aronne et al. - New England Journal of Medicine, 2025
- 8.Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension - Wilding et al. - Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2022
- 9.Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH
Last reviewed September 2026. We revisit comparisons when providers change their pricing or policies. This page is information only and is not medical advice - always consult a licensed clinician before starting treatment.