Telehealth platforms offer a convenient way of accessing prescription GLP-1 medications, allowing busy professionals to connect with medical professionals virtually—no more taking time off work and sitting in a waiting room wondering when you’ll be called.
These platforms offer efficiency, but you also want to make sure you’re connected with a licensed healthcare provider who can determine whether you’re eligible for a GLP-1 prescription. Not everyone qualifies, so it’s important to have a practitioner review your personal health history and other information typically requested during the sign-up process.
We were curious to learn more about one such platform, called Hims, so we asked our testing team to try it and share their experience. Here’s what we liked about the experience and what could have been improved. Note: If you are interested in Hims’ counterpart platform for women, check out Hers GLP-1.
Disclaimer: This review discusses FDA-approved branded semaglutide medications only. Wegovy® is FDA-approved for weight management in eligible patients; Ozempic® is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in eligible patients. Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved and are outside the scope of this review.
Hims & Hers GLP-1 Program
| Fortune score | 4/5 |
at Hims
- Our thoughts: Our tester liked his experience with Hims overall, including the easy sign-up process, the option to select expedited shipping, and access to medical providers after becoming a member
- Who it’s for: Busy professionals looking for a streamlined intake process, expedited delivery options, and ongoing access to licensed healthcare providers
Pros
- Straightforward sign-up process
- Expedited shipping option
- Ability to contact medical professionals after sign-up
Cons
- Would have preferred access to medical professionals during the approval process
- Insurance not accepted
Hims Specs
Our Experience with Hims
Hims, like Hers, offers assistance with hair loss, skin care, and more, including weight loss. This platform offers multiple GLP-1 options, many of them available in different forms. For example, you can get Wegovy in either pill or pen form, or Zepbound as a vial or pen.
Our tester, Grady, used Hims and reported an overall positive experience. Here’s what he particularly liked and the one thing that could have been improved.
What We Liked
Grady said that the highlights of using the Hims platform to obtain a GLP-1 prescription and medication included:
- Sign-up (4 out of 5): He liked the straightforward sign-up process, explaining, “It was just a simple series of questions that took about 10 minutes, and then the website presented me with several products approved by a medical provider.” For professionals with packed schedules, the efficient intake process can save time compared to attending an in-person appointment.
- Shipping and delivery (5 out of 5): Grady was ultimately approved for a prescription and opted to upgrade delivery to next-day shipping. He said the medication was delivered on time and appreciated receiving it in just a couple of days, but he noted that standard shipping would probably take closer to a week. Still, he appreciated having the option to expedite shipping.
- Overall experience (4 out of 5): Grady explained that the process was simple and quick, and “The questions were easy to answer while still being sensitive and thorough.”
Grady said he’d recommend Hims to others, given his generally positive experience with the platform, including easy sign-up, option to expedite medication delivery, and access to medical providers.
What We Would Change
While Grady’s overall experience was positive, he noted one drawback.
“It would have been nice to actually talk to a medical provider, rather than just being told I was approved—just in case I had questions,” said Grady.
Our tester noted that after sign-up, you get access to a portal where you can contact medical personnel if you want. He said he might do that at some point, but added that he would have preferred to have access to medical providers during the actual approval process.
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
Hims may be a good fit for some, but not for others.
For: Men
The Hims platform is marketed to men, but there’s another platform—called Hers—that’s marketed toward women and offers the same GLP-1 options. (Hims and Hers have the same parent company.)
For: People who qualify for a GLP-1
GLP-1 platforms typically require an intake questionnaire to ensure people actually need a GLP-1 medication. This intake survey serves as a screening to determine eligibility for a GLP-1 prescription.
Not for: Those who don’t meet eligibility requirements for a GLP-1
GLP-1 medications aren’t designed for everyone. Rather, individuals are required to meet certain criteria, such as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher in addition to another health condition like high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or certain other issues. Healthcare providers typically want to review other health information as well.
Comparing Hims and Hers to Other GLP-1 Providers
Why the Right Telehealth Platform Matters to Professionals
When you’re a high performer with a packed schedule, that can mean less time to cook, fewer trips to the gym, and limited availability for doctor visits. All of these things can take a toll on health, which is why telehealth platforms hold such appeal—including those that focus specifically on GLP-1 medications.
If you’re deemed eligible by a healthcare provider, using one of these platforms to receive a prescription can be a big time-saver. Note: We don’t recommend GLP-1 telehealth platforms for everyone, and we encourage you to speak with a healthcare provider to discuss your own health history and current needs. But for those who do qualify for GLP-1 and have support from a qualified healthcare provider, telehealth platforms can be very efficient.
How We Evaluated Hims and GLP-1 Providers
When evaluating GLP-1 telehealth platforms, we surveyed people who used each platform to find out about their experience. We were interested in hearing about the sign-up and onboarding process, including the initial survey, as well as provider interactions, medication and shipping options, delivery, the opportunity to contact a provider, and overall satisfaction with the platform.
Benefits of Hims and Hers Online GLP-1 Program
To learn more about the possible benefits of online GLP-1 programs, including Hims and Hers, we turned to Dr. Megan Horsham, M.D., a board-certified physician at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute. She explained, “Perhaps the biggest benefit of online GLP-1 platforms is the convenience factor. The ability to get an appointment from home makes treatment much more accessible for many patients.”
She added, though, “Online GLP-1 platforms work best when there’s a real doctor-patient relationship. Patients may need their dose adjusted. They may need support regarding side effects, or they may simply have questions that only a healthcare professional can answer. Patients should be able to reach a doctor easily and get the support they need.”
Our Experts
For this article, we spoke with Dr. Megan Horsham, M.D., a board-certified physician at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute, who has over a decade of experience.
Fortune’s Final Thoughts on Hims
Our tester gave Hims an overall positive rating, saying his experience was generally good. He found the sign-up process easy, appreciated the shipping options that allowed him to get his medication quickly, and felt the initial survey was both simple and thorough. We think it could provide a useful service for busy professionals interested in GLP-1 medication who want a telehealth option that also offers quick shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hims legit for accessing GLP-1 medications?
Hims is a telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed medical providers who can prescribe GLP-1 medications to eligible patients.
How much does Hims and Hers GLP-1 cost per month?
A Hims weight-loss membership costs $39 for the first month and $149 per month after that as of this writing, plus the cost of medication
Is Hims and Hers or Ro cheaper for GLP-1?
Hims and Ro memberships are similarly priced. Hims is $39 for the first month, then $149 per month plus the cost of medication, while Ro is $45 for the first month, then $145 per month plus the cost of medication. The exact cost of the medication varies depending on which type of medication you get and your insurance coverage.