*Patients with diabetes but with a BMI of ≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities, lost an average of 7% of their body weight in 1 year in a 68-week clinical trial evaluating 1 mg semaglutide, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
National GLP-1 shortages through 2023. See more
Join 150,000+ Ro weight loss patients
Ozempic® prescribed online for weight loss
(semaglutide) injection
A weekly shot to lose weight
Helps you feel full faster, longer
Improves the way your body responds to sugars
Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but may be prescribed if a provider deems it appropriate
$99 1st Month, then $145/mo
Safety info: Ozempic treats type 2 diabetes but may be prescribed off-label for weight loss, if appropriate. Ozempic may have serious side effects, including possible thyroid tumors. Do not use if you or your family have a history of a type of thyroid cancer called MTC or MEN 2. Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Revolutionary medication
Ozempic is semaglutide (a GLP-1) that may be prescribed for weight loss, if appropriate. It’s a once-weekly shot that works by mimicking your body’s natural hormones, helping you feel fuller faster and for longer.
Medication is not included in the cost of the Body Program. But don’t worry, our insurance concierge partners explore all options to help get you covered. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, but may be prescribed for weight loss.
Ozempic
semaglutide
In Ozempic clinical trials, patients lost an average of 7% of their body weight*
"Is using medication to lose weight cheating?"
Dr. Steve Silvestro, Ro
Which GLP-1 is right for you?
Semaglutide injection was first approved under the brand name Ozempic in 2017 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA approved the drug at a different dosage under the brand name Wegovy as a weight loss medication. Doctors often, using their medical judgment and discretion, prescribe both for weight loss. Liraglutide injection was FDA approved for weight loss in 2014 under the brand name Saxenda.
All three medications are GLP-1s, but there are some key differences between them.
*Patients with diabetes but with a BMI of ≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities, lost an average of 7% of their body weight in 1 year in a 68-week clinical trial evaluating 1 mg semaglutide, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Meet the Ro Ambassadors who inspired the Body Program
Lost 40 lbs in 11 months
“I have never felt better. I have never had more energy. This medication changed my life.”
Lost 30 lbs in 1 year
“I started losing weight almost immediately. To me, truly, this has been a game-changer.”
Our insurance concierge partners will work to find you coverage for medication.
Here's how they'll do it:
We know this can be a headache, so the team will take care of communicating with your insurance company. They’ll even handle the paperwork.
The team will look into the medication options that are right for you. If you get denied for one medication, they’ll look for other options that are clinically appropriate for you. And, once approved, the team will help find a pharmacy that can fulfill your prescription.
If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost of your medication, the team will see if there are patient access programs that would help reduce your out-of-pocket cost. If you want to explore cash pay options, they’ll help you figure out the available options in your area.
First the team will call local pharmacies, but if there isn’t one able to fulfill your prescription, they’ll search for a pharmacy to send you the medication by mail. Even when there’s a national supply chain shortage, the team won’t stop working on your behalf.
How it works
We help you lose weight by pairing revolutionary medication with coaching, care, and healthy lifestyle changes to make it last.
Share your health history and weight loss goals with your Ro-affiliated provider.
Your provider will order a metabolic lab test after they have reviewed your health history. You can use your insurance to test at any Quest location (most insurance accepted), or purchase an at-home blood collection kit through Ro for an additional cost.
If you live in a state where Quest is not available, we’ll automatically send you an at-home collection kit for no charge. See here for more info.
Your Ro-affiliated provider will review your results to see if medication is right for you. If it is, you’ll begin the Body Program, which includes: an insurance concierge service, access to medication, ongoing provider care, a personal health coach, and regular emails with healthy lifestyle strategies.
If medication is prescribed, our insurance concierge partner connects with your insurance company to help get the cost of medication covered. This process takes about 2-3 weeks, although it may take longer if initial coverage is denied. (It's possible that some insurers won't cover the medication. In that case, you'll have the option to pay cash.)
If you move forward with treatment, our partner will go the extra mile to look for a pharmacy with medication available — including calling your pharmacy every 3 days to confirm whether medication is in stock.
Please note that there are national GLP-1 shortages expected through 2023 and beyond. Learn more.
We're with you every step of the way, from your first shot to your first weight loss win.
Thousands of people are losing weight with GLP-1 medications
Hear from real Ro members who are hitting their weight loss goals through the Body Program. These Body Program members were paid for sharing their stories.
“I’ve had some pretty amazing success. I’m down 15 pounds and I couldn’t be happier."
Sonia, Ro Member
“It's really helping handle my cravings better, which is what I really like about this program."
James, Ro Member
“It was like a switch once I started the medication, I just wasn’t so obsessed with food.”
Chaleeta, Ro Member
Ozempic 101
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand-name version of the generic medication semaglutide, which is a type of medication called a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist. Instead of that tongue-twister of a name, we call these medications “GLP-1s” for short.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for the management of certain symptoms and risks of type 2 diabetes.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic works by slowing the digestion process, which can help you to feel full for longer. Ozempic, like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, acts like a hormone your body naturally makes to regulate blood sugar and may help support weight loss.
Do you prescribe Ozempic for weight loss?
Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss. Ro-affiliated healthcare professionals have the discretion to prescribe a medication off-label if they believe it is an appropriate course of treatment for a particular patient.
How can Ozempic help with weight loss? It acts like a natural hormone your body uses to regulate blood sugar and appetite—key steps in resetting your biological set point to help you maintain a new, lower weight.
See if Ozempic is right for you here.
What is Ozempic’s dosing?
Ozempic dosing starts out low, then gradually increases over the first few months until a steady dose is reached. If prescribed, your Ro-affiliated provider will work with you to find the schedule and dosing that’s right for you. As an example, the lowest dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week and the maximum dose is 2.0 mg once a week.
How do you take Ozempic?
Ozempic comes in a prefilled injection pen that contains multiple doses. If prescribed, you (or someone in your household) will select the prescribed dose, then administer the injection under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or arm once a week.
While a routine injection may sound intimidating, the Ozempic pen uses a tiny needle designed to minimize discomfort. You’ll also receive clear instructions on using the injection pen, and your Ro-affiliated provider can offer additional advice.
Will my insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?
How to get Ozempic covered by insurance—it’s a very important question! Well, you can consider us your insurance concierge.
Our partners will work directly with your insurance provider to help with the process of determining coverage for your GLP-1 medication, which is paid for separately from the Body Program. Ro does not accept insurance for the Body Program, which is cash pay only.
At this time, those with any form of government healthcare coverage (including programs such as Medicare, Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicaid or TRICARE), whether primary or secondary coverage are not eligible for the Body Program. These plans typically do not cover the type of medication the Body Program may prescribe. Unfortunately, this means that those on Medicare or eligible for Medicare cannot join the Body Program. Federal employees who receive their health insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) may participate in the Body Program.
$145/month, $99 first month promo
What's included?
Access to GLP-1 medication
Insurance coverage support
Dedicated health coach
Ongoing provider care
Weekly curriculum email
Please note: The cost of medication and lab testing is not included in the Body Program
Medication is prescribed only if appropriate.
Still have questions? We have answers.
The cost of your Ozempic medication can range depending on your insurance coverage—and we’re here to help with that!
As your insurance concierge, our team will work with your insurance provider to determine coverage for your GLP-1 medication. Please note that this medication is paid for separately from the Body Program, which is only available by cash pay and does not accept insurance. Currently, individuals with any government healthcare coverage, including Medicare, Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicaid, or TRICARE, are ineligible for the Ro Body Program as these plans typically do not cover the medications prescribed by the program. Unfortunately, this means that those who are eligible for Medicare cannot participate in the Ro Body Program.
While a Ro-affiliated provider may offer personalized guidance for each individual, in general, there are no foods to avoid while taking Ozempic. In fact, our Body Program makes a point to avoid labeling any food as “off-limits,” and instead guides you in finding an approach to food that’s both enjoyable and supports your weight loss goals.
However, if prescribed Ozempic, you might choose to avoid certain foods on days that your doses are increased. Some gastrointestinal side effects like nausea may occur when Ozempic doses are increased, so you might find that it’s best to avoid foods that make you feel gassy or bloated on days that you’re increasing your dose.
Due to significant demand, Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Saxenda — expects supply shortages of some of these medications. Novo Nordisk is anticipating that demand for Wegovy will continue to outpace supply. Patients may have difficulty filling Wegovy prescriptions at the lower doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg and Saxenda prescriptions through the remainder of 2023 and potentially beyond. We’ve seen that around half of patients are still unable to get access to the impacted Wegovy doses or Saxenda doses after 1 month of waiting.
We know these supply shortages are frustrating. If you’re prescribed a GLP-1 medication and there’s more than a 30-day delay from the time your prescription is sent to the pharmacy to when it is filled, we’ll issue a credit to your account so that your next month of the Body Program is free. Read eligibility requirements here.
We’re also taking additional steps to support new and existing patients on their weight loss journey. For example, our insurance concierge partner is frequently contacting pharmacies to look for available medication on your behalf. Our Ro-affiliated providers are also reaching out to patients to discuss how to manage their treatment plans in light of the shortages.
For patients just getting started, the first steps of the Body Program, before a prescription is filled, are unaffected by the supply shortage — including taking a metabolic lab test and connecting with a provider to review your health history.
All medications carry a risk of potential side effects. Ozempic’s side effects are typically mild and often improve within the first few weeks of treatment. When they occur, it’s usually when doses are increased, then tend to improve once a steady dose is reached. Some of the most common side effects include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Stomach pains
Constipation
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Acid reflux
Belching and gas
Dizziness
Headaches
Fatigue
More severe side effects are rarer but possible. Serious side effects include:
Thyroid cancer—The FDA has issued its most serious warning (called a BOXED WARNING) that GLP-1s may be associated with a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. So far, this side effect has primarily been seen in laboratory studies using rodents, so the risk to humans has not been determined.
Pancreatitis
Gallbladder disease
Rapid heartbeat
Severe allergy (hypersensitivity)
Low blood sugar
Vision problems (diabetic retinopathy)
Kidney disease
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Please see the full Prescribing Information, including the BOXED WARNING, for complete safety information.
Metabolic testing is required to participate in the program. It allows your provider to understand your metabolism to create a treatment plan that’s appropriate for you. Your provider will look at the following analytes: Hemoglobin, TSH, LDL Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine, and Triglycerides.
Depending on how you choose to take your metabolic test, the price will vary.
You can use your insurance to test at any Quest location. Quest is in-network with most major insurers, but out-of-pocket costs will vary based on your insurance plan and deductible. Contact your insurance company to understand your coverage. If you test at Quest without using your insurance, the cash pay price is around $520.
You can also purchase an at-home blood collection kit through Ro for $75.
If you live in a state where Quest is not available (ND, SD, WY), we’ll automatically send you an at-home collection kit for no charge.
Weight management tips from our experts
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Foods to avoid while taking Ozempic
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How much does Ozempic cost?
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Injection sites for Ozempic
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5 Ozempic alternatives to consider
Important safety information
What you should know before taking Ozempic.