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PROVIDER ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT

PlushCare Reviews

Board-certified physicians, insurance accepted

Overall Assessment
8.9/10
Very Good
Document #: REV-080Status:● Active
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2026

IMPORTANT: GOV Health Report is NOT a government website. This is an independent review. Consult healthcare professionals before medical decisions.

8.9/10

$19.99/mo membership (first month free) + $129 visit without insurance

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Section 1: Executive Summary

PlushCare is one of the few GLP-1 routes that leads with insurance rather than cash pricing. Every patient is seen by a board-certified primary care physician, and the care team will actively work your prior authorization with your insurer — a genuinely laborious process that most cash-pay platforms decline to touch at all. The medication list is brand-name and FDA-approved: Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Contrave, Xenical, plus diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro where clinically appropriate. Prescriptions go to your pharmacy of choice rather than a captive compounder. The catch is that PlushCare does not sell you medication, so if your prior authorization is denied and you have no coverage, you are looking at retail brand pricing — which PlushCare itself notes usually runs around $1,000 per month.

Documented Strengths

5 Items
  • 1In-network with most major insurance providers
  • 2Care team actively handles prior authorizations on your behalf
  • 3Every patient is seen by a board-certified primary care physician
  • 4Broad brand-name formulary, not limited to one or two drugs
  • 5Prescription goes to your pharmacy of choice

Noted Limitations

4 Items
  • 1Medication is not included — you pay pharmacy prices separately
  • 2Brand-name GLP-1s without coverage can cost around $1,000/month
  • 3Prior authorization can take 7–14 days and may still be denied
  • 4No compounded option as a lower-cost fallback

Section 2: Medications Offered

Wegovy (semaglutide)
Zepbound (tirzepatide)
Saxenda (liraglutide)
Contrave and Xenical
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, Victoza, and metformin for type 2 diabetes

Note: Medication availability may vary. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Always verify current offerings directly with the provider.

Section 3: How It Works

1

Book an online appointment and select your insurance plan to check network status

2

Meet a board-certified primary care physician by video to discuss your goals

3

Complete lab work if your physician orders it — they send the order to your preferred lab

4

If medication is prescribed, it goes to the pharmacy you choose

5

The care team submits any required prior authorization and follows it through with your insurer

Section 4: Eligibility Requirements

  • BMI of 30+, or BMI of 27+ with at least one weight-related medical condition
  • Type 2 diabetes patients may qualify for diabetes-indicated medications
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • PlushCare does not treat new patients with a normal BMI unless outside records document previous obesity
  • U.S. resident in a state where PlushCare operates

Important: Final eligibility is determined by a licensed healthcare provider after reviewing your complete medical history.

Section 5: Potential Side Effects

Nausea, most pronounced during dose escalation
Vomiting and diarrhea
Constipation and abdominal pain
Appetite suppression and early satiety
Injection site reactions with injectable GLP-1s

WARNING: This is not a complete list. Serious side effects may occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms. Consult your healthcare provider for complete safety information.

Section 6: Service Features

Board-Certified Physicians
Insurance Accepted
Prior Authorization Support
Same-Day Appointments
Unlimited Care Team Messaging

Insurance & Payment

PlushCare is in network with most major insurance providers, and most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less per visit. Medication coverage is separate and plan-dependent: most branded weight-loss medications require prior authorization, and PlushCare's physician and care team will contact your insurer on your behalf. Insurance processing for a prior authorization typically takes 7 to 14 days. If your PA is denied, you can still buy the medication at cash price.

Shipping Information

PlushCare does not ship medication. Prescriptions are sent electronically to the retail or mail-order pharmacy of your choice, and fulfillment follows that pharmacy's normal process.

Customer Support

Unlimited messaging with your care team is included in membership, plus phone support at 1-888-729-0438 and email at info@plushcare.com. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week.

Cancellation Policy

Membership can be cancelled at any time. PlushCare states that if it is unable to treat you, it will provide a full refund of the visit fee; medication and lab costs are never included in that.

Section 7: Additional Services

Online urgent care and primary care
Mental health medication management and online therapy
Discounted lab testing
Free family memberships under one plan

Section 8: Program Structure

Brand-name or compounded

Brand-name and FDA-approved only. PlushCare prescribes approved products such as Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Contrave, and Xenical. It does not offer compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Provider involvement

High. Every patient is seen by a board-certified primary care physician by video, and the same physician continues to monitor progress — including after you reach your goal. Unlimited messaging with the care team is part of membership.

Lab requirements

Lab work is often required. Your physician sends an order to your preferred lab, and you can upload existing results before your first visit. Members get discounted lab pricing.

Pharmacy fulfillment

Your pharmacy of choice — retail or mail order. PlushCare does not operate or partner with a captive compounding pharmacy.

Shipping frequency

Governed by your pharmacy and your prescription, not by PlushCare.

Section 9: Cost Breakdown

Membership fees

$19.99 per month, with the first 30 days free. Membership covers same-day appointments seven days a week, unlimited care-team messaging, discounted lab tests, and free memberships for family members.

Medication fees

Not included. Visit price is often the same as an office visit with insurance — most in-network patients pay $30 or less — or $129 per visit without insurance. Medication is billed by your pharmacy. PlushCare notes that branded weight-loss medications usually cost about $1,000 per month out of pocket without coverage.

Refund policy

PlushCare states that if it is unable to treat you, it will provide a full refund of the visit fee. Medication and lab work costs are excluded. A published refund policy governs the details.

HSA / FSA

Visit fees, membership, and prescription costs are generally HSA/FSA eligible. Confirm with your plan administrator.

Pricing changes frequently. Confirm current costs on the provider's own website before enrolling.

Section 10: Documented Limitations

  • Does not dispense medication — no bundled monthly price
  • Without insurance coverage, brand-name GLP-1s are expensive
  • Prior authorization takes 7–14 days and can be denied
  • No compounded fallback if coverage fails
  • Will not prescribe weight-loss medication to patients with a normal BMI and no documented history

Section 12: Frequently Asked Questions

Does PlushCare take insurance for weight loss?

Yes. PlushCare is in network with most major insurance providers, and most in-network patients pay $30 or less per visit. Medication coverage is a separate question determined by your plan's formulary.

Will PlushCare handle my prior authorization?

Yes. Your physician and care team contact your insurer on your behalf. You will need to supply your insurance RX number, BIN, PCN, member ID, and the address on file with your insurer. Processing typically takes 7 to 14 days.

Does PlushCare prescribe compounded semaglutide?

No. PlushCare prescribes FDA-approved medications only — Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Contrave, Xenical, and diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro where appropriate.

What if my BMI is in the normal range?

PlushCare states it does not treat new patients with a normal BMI using weight-loss pharmacotherapy unless the patient shares outside records documenting previous obesity.

What does it cost without insurance?

A $19.99 monthly membership with the first month free, plus $129 per visit. Medication is separate, and PlushCare notes branded weight-loss drugs generally run about $1,000 per month without coverage.

Founded: 2014
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Assessment Recommendation

Best suited for: People with commercial insurance who want a real shot at getting a brand-name GLP-1 covered rather than paying cash

Medical Disclaimer

This assessment is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. GOV Health Report is an independent publisher, is not affiliated with any government agency, and does not practice medicine or dispense medication. GLP-1 medications are prescription drugs with serious potential risks and are not appropriate for everyone. Only a licensed clinician who has evaluated you can determine whether treatment is safe for you. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, and read our full medical disclaimer.

Date reviewed: August 5, 2026. Details on this page reflect information published by the provider as of that date and can change without notice.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click links and sign up with this provider. See our full disclosure.

PlushCare

8.9/10

$19.99/mo membership (first month free) + $129 visit without insurance

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FDA-approved treatments available

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Ranking#80
Pricing$19.99/mo membership (first month free) + $129 visit without insurance
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