Dr. Kaplan’s Medical Weight Management Program is now offering semaglutide, the active ingredient in the newest Rx-only weight loss medications Wegovy and Ozempic that you’ve seen advertised on TV. You can receive this active ingredient as part of a B-12 vitamin shot once a week for as long as you’re achieving your weight loss goals. Based on approval studies, a 15-18% weight loss is achievable!
Ozempic was first approved in 2017 as a medication for Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, compared to type 1 diabetes which is often associated with a genetic cause of diabetes seen in juveniles that are not necessarily overweight. In the process of reducing blood sugar and regulating insulin, Ozempic was found to also help patients lose weight.
While it’s legally permissible to use Ozempic for its weight loss benefits rather than to treat type 2 diabetes (off label use), the company that makes Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, also obtained FDA approval for Wegovy in 2021. So rather than obtaining Ozempic for the off label treatment of obesity, Wegovy can be prescribed for the express purpose of weight loss rather than diabetes. But treatment comes at a cost, especially if insurance coverage is not available.
The Cost of Wegovy
As you can see to the left, purchasing a month supply of Wegovy (just the medication), can cost anywhere from $1300 to $1400 per month. Insurance won’t necessarily cover this medication if you don’t have the risk factors required to be a candidate – diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. To clarify, even without these risk factors, you can still get these medications but insurance won’t cover it and you’ll need to pay out of pocket.
And since Ozempic (the sister medication to Wegovy) isn’t technically approved for the off-label use of treating obesity (remember, it’s only approved to treat type 2 diabetes), you definitely won’t have luck with insurance coverage since insurance typically only covers on-label use.
A less expensive alternative
At Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery, the semaglutide injections you receive weekly as part of our Medical Weight Management Program will be significantly less per month during the 6-month program. In addition to the medication, you’ll receive oversight and coaching by a doctor, nurse practitioner and medical assistant. Keep in mind insurance does not cover our program or the medication we provide but at least it’s a less expensive alternative than purchasing the brand name medications without coverage.
Our Plan vs Purchasing the brand name medications without a program (No Plan)
You can purchase the six-month Weight Management Program online today. Semaglutide injections will be charged separately each month after confirming you’re a candidate. Limited spots available in each weight loss cohort.
We’re sure you have lots of questions so don’t hesitate – call/text (415) 923-3005 or email baelounge@ph-ps.com.
Click here for the original blog post written by Jonathan Kaplan for BuildMyHealth.
