If you’re considering a GLP-1 medication for weight management, the most difficult part is not necessarily finding an online provider, as there are many. It’s evaluating the factors that play into the platform’s total worth: cost, quality of care, insurance navigation, and how it fits in with your work and lifestyle
Ro is a telehealth platform that offers branded GLP-1 medications, starting with a detailed intake questionnaire and a monthly membership on top of medication cost. In this review, we examine tester data to see what Ro’s services offer, limitations, and if the brand’s monthly membership fee makes sense for folks who want convenience combined with wise healthcare decisions.
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.
Ro GLP-1
| Fortune score | 4.5/5 |
at Ro
- Our thoughts: The intake questionnaire is like an in-office experience
- Who it’s for: Eligible professionals who want a structured, mostly asynchronous way to explore branded GLP-1 treatment. This also includes folks who are willing to pay an ongoing monthly membership fee, help navigating insurance, and shipping/medication delivery
Pros
- Detailed intake assessment
- Intake questions were all relevant
- Both oral and injectable GLP-1s are available
Cons
- Ro’s website asks for you to answer a questionnaire before you can access pertinent information
- You’ll pay a membership fee before a provider determines if you’re eligible for a GLP-1 medication
Ro Specs
Our Experience With Ro
Ro is a digital health platform that offers services and medications for hair loss, fertility, sexual health, and weight loss. Ro’s monthly weight loss membership costs as low as $74 per month and the brand says they offer the “lowest cash-pay prices for FDA-approved medication with manufacturer discounts passed directly to you.” The company also accepts insurance and has oral GLP-1 medications, like the Wegovy® pill.
What We Liked
Here’s what Juliette rated highly after trying Ro:
- Intake assessment experience (5 out of 5): The questionnaire seemed very comprehensive to Juliette; it took her roughly 10 to 15 minutes to complete. “It asked me about my weight, health goals, medications, and efforts to lose weight in the past. It seemed like the questionnaire asked everything that an in-person provider would have asked, except I didn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops to set up an appointment. I felt like the proper follow-up questions were asked as well,” she said. “For example, if I checked that I had a pre-existing health condition, it asked me about severity, treatment, and when I was diagnosed. I also noticed that you could opt out of answering certain questions, such as your racial identity. The questions were also all multiple choice, so I was able to fly through them quickly, and there wasn’t much brainpower or effort required.”
- Overall experience (4.5 out of 5): Juliette hasn’t yet met with a provider or been prescribed a GLP-1 medication. “The initial assessment was quite easy to fill out and navigate. There weren’t really any surprises that came up. It did tell me right away after my assessment that I was qualified, but I still had to wait for a provider to review my health information. I’m not sure how smooth the rest of the process will be, but I have high hopes considering they said they’ll ship to my door once the provider confirms everything.”
What We Would Change
Here’s what Juliette would change about Ro:
- No interaction with provider ahead of prescription decision: You answer the questions, provide your info, and then a Ro-affiliated provider reviews the information to make sure a GLP-1 medication is right for you. The initial assessment does not require interaction with a licensed provider or medical professional.
- What this review does not include: At the time of this writing, our tester completed Ro’s intake but had not yet met with a provider, received a prescription, navigated insurance approval, or utilized any clinical support. Our hands-on testing focuses instead on the enrollment experience, rather than the full treatment journey and care.
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
Ro may be a good fit for:
Professionals on a time crunch: If you’d prefer a 10-15 minute online intake questionnaire rather than scheduling an in-person consultation, and medication shipped to you.
Folks focused on due-diligence: Ro is a program focused on branded, FDA-approved GLP-1 medications.
People who prefer support: If you’d prefer to have assistance navigating insurance coverage for a GLP-1 medication and if you don’t already have an established healthcare professional who can help manage your treatment.
Ro may not be ideal for:
People with Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-provided insurance: Ro states that these folks are not eligible for their program.
Folks who don’t want to pay a recurring fee: Ro has an ongoing monthly cost which is cheaper the first month, but then may cost $145/monthly, which is on top of medication costs. This can be tough to justify, especially if your insurance is not covering any of the cost of your treatment.
Those who prefer a real-time, live conversation with a provider: If you’d rather talk to a clinician face-to-face (in-person or via video) about any questions, concerns, or about the overall treatment plan and results, Ro is likely not the best fit for you.
Comparing Ro to Other GLP-1 Providers
Note: Many of these programs also offer compounded GLP-1 medications, which are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy.
Why the Right GLP-1 Telehealth Platform Matters to Professionals
If you’re interested in trying a GLP-1 medication, finding the right platform can be the key to your success. You’ll consult with a licensed clinician who will identify and prescribe a GLP-1 medication (if you’re deemed eligible), and then the prescription may be delivered to your home or filled at a local pharmacy.
Using an online GLP-1 telehealth platform can be incredibly helpful when your schedule is jam-packed: getting to meet with a provider when it works for you, getting to skip a trip to the pharmacy, and then having the medication discreetly sent to your home will help reduce interruptions in your workday. We recommend that you talk with your doctor or qualified healthcare professional before seeking access to a GLP-1 medication.
Our Experts
Source: Katy Pincus, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
Associate Professor & PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency Program Director
Department of Practice, Science, and Health Outcomes Research
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Fortune’s Final Thoughts
Ro may be worth considering for busy professionals if you prefer a structured online intake assessment, assistance navigating your insurance coverage, and home delivery. The $145 monthly Ro membership after the initial month does increase the total cost of your treatment, however. If you’re okay with skipping a live conversation with a clinician before the prescribing decision, Ro may be a good choice for you. If you’re looking for more consistent interaction with your prescriber, you may prefer a platform that has included video visits or opt for in-person visits with your established primary care doctor (or other specialist).
Before enrolling in an online GLP-1 program like Ro, here’s what Katy Pincus, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, recommends. “It may be helpful to ask about the training and qualifications of the providers you will be working with, what services, in addition to medication prescribing, are available, where medications are sourced, and how you will contact a provider if they have questions, concerns or side effects while in this program,” she said.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ro GLP-1 cost per month?
Ro’s membership to their GLP-1 program costs “as low as $74 per month” but that does not include the price of the medication, which varies.
Is Ro a legitimate GLP-1 program?
Yes, Ro uses licensed healthcare providers to evaluate patients and prescribe branded GLP-1 medications when appropriate.
What medications does Ro offer?
Ro includes: Zepbound®, Wegovy®, Foundayo®, Ozempic®, and Saxenda® in its GLP-1 lineup