Weight loss medication
Prescription medications for weight loss can be effective tools to help qualified candidates meet their health goals. These FDA-approved medicines are offered as part of medically supervised health programs that include weight loss education, resources and support.
GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program: What to expect
Our GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program is designed to support safe, steady and sustainable weight loss, and is currently only offered in select CareNow® urgent care clinics. You can choose how you receive your care – whether in-clinic, through telehealth or a combination of both. Some program visits will still require an in-clinic follow-up, even if the appointment begins via telehealth, to complete any necessary lab work or in-person physical exam. Below is an overview of what your journey may look like and the types of visits typically involved.
You may be a candidate for GLP‑1–based weight management if you:
- Have a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher and a weight related health condition, such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heart disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
You are not a good a candidate for GLP 1–based weight management if you:
- Are currently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and dependent on insulin
- Are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Have medical conditions that would prevent safe use of these medications
A provider will review your health history to determine whether this program is appropriate for you.
Clinic costs:
- Your initial visit is $199, whether it’s in-clinic or by telehealth, and includes a consultation with a provider, in-clinic physical exam and lab work.
- Each follow-up visit is $99, whether it’s in-clinic or by telehealth, and includes a consultation focused on checking your tolerance and adjusting your medication dosage as needed.
- Some follow-up appointments (3, 6, 12 months) will also include lab work, according to the program schedule. Your 12-month visit also includes a physical exam.
Prescription costs:
- Prescription drug costs are separate from clinic visit fees and can vary based on your insurance coverage and the medication prescribed. In most cases, prescriptions will be sent directly to a manufacturer’s program. If your medication is not covered by your insurance in whole or in part, manufacturer savings programs or discounts may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
You can choose the care style that works best for you — in person, through telehealth, or a combination of both. Some follow-up visits are conducted entirely via telehealth, while others include both virtual and in-clinic components.
Program overview:
Initial visit ($199)
- Telehealth start: Begin with a virtual consultation, followed by an in-clinic visit for your physical exam, vital signs and lab work.
- In-person start: Complete your consultation, physical exam, and lab work in one visit.
Follow-up visits ($99 per visit)
Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor your progress, medication tolerance, and dosing at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months.
- Telehealth follow-up: Your 1- and 2-month visits are virtual. Your 3, 6, and 12-month visits are mostly virtual but require in-clinic lab work. Your 12-month visit also includes a physical exam.
- In-person follow-up: All visits (1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months) take place in the clinic, with lab work and physical exams completed at appropriate intervals.
Although the HCA Healthcare GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program has a designated follow-up schedule, providers may offer additional visits if clinically necessary or as requested by the patient.
Not available in all markets, please check with your local clinic for availability.
- Clinic visits associated with HCA Healthcare’s GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program are provided on a “self-pay” or “cash-only” basis. Similar services may be covered by your insurance if obtained from another provider or in a different setting. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to receive those services at lower cost elsewhere. We do not submit claims to insurance, so patients should expect to pay out-of-pocket for visits.
- Prescriptions are submitted directly to the manufacturer’s program for fulfillment. Insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications varies and may not apply in this case. If the medication is not covered or is cost-prohibitive, the manufacturer may offer savings programs or discounts that could help reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
Yes, you can use your FSA and HSA cards toward your program visits; approval is subject to your plan rules.
Our program offers three types of weight loss medications that are FDA-approved for weight management:
- Wegovy® (Semaglutide): weekly injectable pen
- Zepbound® (Tirzepatide): weekly injectable pen
- Oral Semaglutide: daily oral tablet
Your provider will help determine which option is best for you based on your health needs and goals. HCA Healthcare does not endorse any specific manufacturer or product. Prescribing decisions are made solely by your provider based on your individual medical needs; no financial incentives influence these decisions.
If your provider determines that a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for you, your prescription will be sent directly to the manufacturer’s program for processing and fulfillment. The manufacturer or pharmacy will then contact you with delivery options.
The amount of weight loss can depend on many factors including starting weight, medication selection, diet and exercise. On average, most patients can expect to lose 5 to 15% of their current body weight, with notable impact occurring during the second and third months of treatment.
Our program is built on evidence-based medicine with the goal of achieving safe, effective results. We empower you to make medication choices that fit your lifestyle, ensure your lab work is monitored and verify that your body is responding well to treatment — all with a focus on your long-term health and success. You also have the flexibility to choose how you receive your care — whether in-person, through telehealth, or a convenient hybrid of both — so you can follow the program in the way that works best for you.
Our program is personalized for each patient because everyone’s body, health needs and goals are unique. After your consultation, your provider will design a program tailored for your situation.
Our program is designed around your unique needs and goals. It includes a year-long structured plan followed by ongoing maintenance to help you stay on track.
Weight management is a long-term process even after a goal weight is achieved. We are committed to remaining your active partner in this process with intermittent maintenance visits to review your diet, exercise and medication tolerance, along with continued prescribing of your effective medication dosing.
Our care team that manages HCA Healthcare’s GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss Program is also an on-demand urgent care service. You can call the virtual care team with any questions or concerns, or you can sign up for a virtual visit to be evaluated during business hours. Our local CareNow® urgent care clinics are also available for in-person visits as needed. Find a location near you.
If you develop any signs or symptoms of an emergency situation as counseled during your initial visit, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for care.
When taking GLP-1 medications, we can offer some recommendations that may assist with your tolerance of the medication and the impact it can have on your body. Your provider will review your diet and counsel you on considerations in food selection.
GLP-1 medications have shown significant benefits with weight loss, but to maximize and maintain weight loss, and to improve your overall health and well-being, an exercise routine is an integral part of your weight loss journey. It can be difficult to get into the habit of exercising, but by slowly increasing your physical activity and making it a priority, it progressively becomes easier to fit the routine into your daily life. Your provider will recommend steps you can take to safely increase activity according to your specific scenario.
Self-screening: Are you a good candidate for HCA Healthcare’s Medical Weight Loss program?
Use this quick self-check to see if you may be a good fit. You’ll still need a medical evaluation to confirm eligibility.
Am I eligible for HCA Healthcare's GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program?
To be considered, you must meet the following guidelines:
- Be 18 years of age or older, and
- Meet one of these BMI criteria:
- BMI 30 or higher, or
- BMI 27–29.9 and you have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heart disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
If you do not meet one of the criteria above, you are not eligible for HCA Healthcare’s Medical Weight Loss program.
Will insurance cover my visits and weight loss medications?
Clinic visits associated with HCA Healthcare’s GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss Program are provided on a “self-pay” or “cash-only” basis. Similar services may be covered by your insurance if obtained from another provider or in a different setting. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to receive those services at lower cost elsewhere.
Prescriptions are submitted directly to the manufacturer’s program for fulfillment. Insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications varies and may not apply in this case. If the medication is not covered or is cost-prohibitive, the manufacturer may offer savings programs or discounts that could help reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
Can I take weight loss medication if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
To be eligible, you must not be pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant.
Can my medical history affect my eligibility to participate in HCA Healthcare’s GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program?
You are not eligible if any of the following apply:
- You or a close family member has had medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- You have ever had pancreatitis
- You have significant stomach/digestive conditions such as gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), severe GERD or gallbladder disease
- You have chronic kidney disease or significantly reduced kidney function
You have had a severe allergic reaction to a GLP-1 medication (such as semaglutide, liraglutide or similar)
Does meeting these basic qualifications mean I’m automatically accepted into HCA Healthcare’s GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss program?
This self-screen is for information only and does not guarantee acceptance into the program. If you appear eligible, your next step will be a medical evaluation where a provider will confirm whether treatment is appropriate and safe for you.
Our commitment to you
We are here to support you through your weight loss journey with personalized guidance, regular check-ins and a focus on long-term success. Your care team will work with you to build healthy habits that complement your medication and help you feel your best.