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How insurance works with the Ro Body membership
We know insurance can be a headache, which is why we have a dedicated concierge who will work to find you insurance coverage for medication. But how does it all work and how long will it take? Let’s get into it!
We help you lose weight by pairing revolutionary medication with coaching, care, and healthy lifestyle changes to make it last.
The cost of medication is not included in the monthly membership fee.
When you get approved, our partner goes to work
You’re approved for treatment, now what?
If a Ro-affiliated provider writes you a prescription, our concierge will coordinate with your insurance to help get medication costs covered. They'll verify your benefits and handle any paperwork (including submitting for prior authorization, if needed). It typically takes between 1-3 weeks. When coverage is determined, our concierge will send your prescription to your pharmacy to be filled.
Here’s how our insurance concierge gets you covered and finds medication
Liaise with your insurance
They'll take care of communicating with your insurance company, and even handle the paperwork.
Find solutions to get you started
If your provider writes you another prescription, our concierge will work with your insurer to try and get it covered. If all attempts fail, we'll walk you through cash payment options.
Explore medication options
If your insurance denies one medication, your provider may recommend another option for you.
Send your prescription to your pharmacy
If your pharmacy doesn't have medication due to national shortages, you'll join their waitlist, and our concierge will contact your pharmacy periodically to check on your prescription.
Your timeline to treatment
From personalized treatment to insurance support, we help you get—and stay—on track.
Start losing weight in 5 simple steps
1. Start your online visit
Answer a few questions about your health and goals, all online—no in-person doctor’s office visit necessary. You’ll find out if you’re eligible within 2 days.
2. Provider writes an Rx (if appropriate)
A provider will review your info and prescribe the right GLP-1 treatment for you, if eligible. Get ready for your first dose in 1-2 weeks if paying cash, or 2-3 weeks if using insurance.
3. Check your insurance coverage
Ro checks your insurance to see if GLP-1 coverage is available. If you require prior authorization, Ro's insurance concierge fights for coverage and submits all paperwork on your behalf. If you're covered, a prescription is sent to your pharmacy. If not, your provider will suggest alternative FDA-approved cash pay GLP-1 options. This process takes about 2-3 weeks.
4. Start your treatment
If paying cash, your medication ships right to your door and you can take your first dose in less than a week. If using insurance, your medication can be picked up at your pharmacy.
5. Get support to stay on track
Keep making progress with regular check-ins, expert guidance, and access to your care team 24/7. Ongoing care and support is there for you when you need it—whether it’s a quick chat with your provider or routine check-ins, we’re with you every step of the way.
Insurance 101
Can I use insurance on Ro?
Yes—if you want to use insurance for GLP-1 medication, Ro can help guide you through the process. At this time, only the Wegovy pen, Zepbound autoinjector pen, and Ozempic are available for insurance coverage through Ro.
As part of your Ro Body membership, you’ll get access to our insurance concierge, who can:
Check whether your medication may be covered
Handle prior authorization paperwork and coordination
Work directly with your insurance company on your behalf
If your medication is covered, you may only pay a monthly copay depending on your plan. Medication costs are billed separately through the pharmacy.
A few things to keep in mind:
Insurance does not cover the cost of the Ro Body membership.
GLP-1 medication is not included in the membership fee.
Some medications offered through Ro are cash-pay only and aren’t eligible for insurance concierge support.
How can I get insurance coverage for my medication on Ro?
Getting insurance coverage for GLP-1 medication can be complicated, but Ro helps handle the process for you.
First, our insurance concierge reviews your insurance plan to see whether your medication may already be covered. In some cases, coverage is available right away. In others, your insurance company may require prior authorization before they’ll approve coverage.
Prior authorization is when your insurance company reviews whether the medication is medically necessary and eligible under your plan. If it’s required, our insurance concierge will help gather the needed information, submit the request, and communicate directly with your insurance company along the way.
Every insurance plan works differently, and coverage isn’t guaranteed. But we’ll help guide you through the process and keep you updated on what comes next.
How long does the insurance review take?
Insurance review timelines can vary, but it typically takes about 1-2 weeks for your insurance company to review a prior authorization request.
Once they’ve reviewed it, a few things can happen:
Your medication is approved with a copay
Your medication is approved without a copay
Coverage is denied. If your coverage is denied, our insurance concierge can file an appeal on your behalf.
If your insurance company needs more information during the process, our insurance concierge will help coordinate the next steps and keep things moving.
What is prior authorization?
Prior authorization is a review process used by insurance companies to decide whether a medication is medically necessary and eligible for coverage under your plan.
For GLP-1 medications, your insurance company may require prior authorization before they agree to help pay for treatment. The process can vary depending on your insurance plan and usually involves submitting medical and insurance information for review.
If prior authorization is needed, Ro’s insurance concierge will help handle the paperwork, submit the request, and communicate directly with your insurance company throughout the process.
How long does prior authorization take?
Prior authorization usually takes about 1-2 weeks, though timelines can vary depending on your insurance plan.
Our insurance concierge submits your request to your insurance company as quickly as possible and helps manage the process along the way. In some cases, reviews can take longer if your insurer needs more information about your coverage or pharmacy benefits.
If your insurance company approves coverage, great—we’ll help coordinate next steps. If coverage is denied, our team may explore other clinically appropriate GLP-1 options and continue working on your behalf.
What happens after my prior authorization gets approved by insurance?
Once your prior authorization is approved, we’ll send your prescription to your preferred pharmacy. Your pharmacy will then confirm whether the medication is in stock and when it’ll be ready for pickup or shipment.
Timing can vary depending on pharmacy inventory and fulfillment.
What happens if my prior authorization gets denied by insurance?
If your insurance company denies coverage, our team will continue exploring other options on your behalf. Your Ro-affiliated provider may determine that another GLP-1 medication is clinically appropriate and submit a new prior authorization request.
If coverage still isn’t available, we’ll help you understand FDA-approved cash-pay options so you can decide what makes sense for your goals and budget.
If one GLP-1 medication is not covered by my insurance, can I resubmit to my insurance for another medication?
Yes. If your insurance denies coverage for one GLP-1 medication, your Ro-affiliated provider may determine whether another GLP-1 option is clinically appropriate for you.
If you’re eligible for a different medication, our insurance concierge can submit a new prior authorization request on your behalf.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover the medication?
If for some reason your insurance will not cover the cost of your medication, you’ll have the option to either select from cash-pay medication options or cancel your Ro Body membership.
Can I get my prescription to take to a pharmacy myself?
Unfortunately, no. You can access and download a copy of your prescription in your Ro account, but it’s for reference only and cannot be used to fill or transfer your prescription.
Can I have my prescription sent to my local pharmacy?
Yes. During your online visit, you can choose to have your prescription sent to a pharmacy of your choice.
Keep in mind that medication availability can vary by pharmacy.
What are savings cards, and how can I use them?
Savings cards are manufacturer discounts that may help lower the cost of certain branded GLP-1 medications. Eligibility and savings vary based on the medication, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
In some cases, savings cards can help reduce your monthly copay or lower the out-of-pocket cost of medication. If you’re eligible, your pharmacy may ask for information from the savings card when filling your prescription.
Can I pay cash for GLP-1 medications?
Paying cash may be a good option if:
Your insurance doesn’t cover GLP-1 medication
You don’t want to use insurance
Prior authorization is denied and there are no other coverage options
Your Ro-affiliated provider can help you explore available treatment options based on your goals and budget.
Can I use government insurance on Ro?
If you have Medicare, a Medicare supplement plan, or TRICARE, you may still be eligible for certain cash-pay treatment options through the Ro Body membership. Your Ro-affiliated provider will review your information to help determine the best fit if you’re eligible.
If you have a Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) plan, you can access Ro’s insurance concierge support to help coordinate coverage and prior authorization.
At this time, patients with Medicaid and some other government-funded insurance plans aren’t eligible for treatment on Ro.
When will I get my medication?
It depends on if you’re paying cash for medication or using insurance.
If you're paying cash:
Prescriptions sent to Ro or our partner pharmacies ship directly to you within a week, once prescribed.
You can also choose to have your prescriptions sent to your preferred pharmacy. Your pharmacy should have your prescription ready in 1-2 days, but fulfillment times may vary.
If you’re using insurance:
It can take 1-2 weeks to receive a decision from your insurance company.
Once approved, we’ll send your prescription to your preferred pharmacy for pickup. Your pharmacy should have your prescription ready in 1-2 days, but fulfillment times may vary.