United States · Telehealth platform · Brand-name
PlushCare review
Board-certified primary care physicians, in-network with major insurers, and the only service in this research that says lab work is often required.
Overview
PlushCare runs a $19.99 membership with the first month free, and prices the visit rather than the drug: $129 for initial visits without insurance, or a copay with coverage — “most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less.” It is in-network with most major insurers, naming Aetna, Humana and Cigna.
It is unusually candid about the medication cost it does not control. PlushCare states it does not set medication pricing, that “most branded weight loss medications require prior authorization in order for insurance to cover the cost,” and that these typically “cost about $1000 per month out of pocket.” It handles prior authorisations on your behalf, with an average processing time of “7-14 business days.”
Two things distinguish it clinically. Care comes from a “board-certified primary care physician” who will “continue to monitor your progress, including after you reach your goal” — the maintenance phase, which most services never mention. And it states that “often, lab work is required,” with the doctor sending an order to your preferred lab. Of the seventy-seven services in this research, only ten mention lab work at all — and PlushCare is one of them.
Medications and supply
Brand-name. Compounded options are not stated on the page we checked.
- Wegovy (semaglutide)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide)
- Saxenda (liraglutide)
- Xenical (orlistat)
- Contrave
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
- Metformin
How the service works
- Consultation
- Visit with a board-certified primary care physician. $129 without insurance for initial visits, or a copay with in-network coverage.
- Eligibility
- Assessed by the physician at the visit.
- Provider involvement
- Board-certified primary care physician conducting visits and ongoing monitoring, explicitly continuing “after you reach your goal.”
- Lab requirements
- PlushCare states “often, lab work is required,” with the doctor sending an order to your preferred lab.
- Pharmacy fulfilment
- Not stated in the sources we checked.
- Shipping
- Not stated in the sources we checked.
- Support services
- Ongoing physician monitoring including the maintenance phase, plus prior-authorisation handling.
What it costs
| Item | Published price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | $19.99 / month | first month free |
| Initial visit without insurance | $129 | — |
| Visit with in-network insurance | $30 or less | copay |
| Medication | not set by PlushCare | notes branded options typically ~$1,000/month out of pocket |
- Membership fee
- $19.99 per month, with the first month free.
- Medication fee
- Not set or published by PlushCare. It notes branded weight-loss medications typically cost about $1,000 per month out of pocket without coverage.
- Insurance
- In-network with most major insurers, naming Aetna, Humana and Cigna. Handles prior authorisations on the patient’s behalf, with an average processing time of 7–14 business days. An Rx discount card is offered, described as saving 7–20%.
- HSA / FSA
- Not stated in the sources we checked.
- Cancellation
- PlushCare states “cancel anytime.”
- Refunds
- Not stated in the sources we checked.
Pros
- One of only two services here that mentions lab work at all
- Board-certified primary care physicians, monitoring continued into maintenance
- In-network with most major insurers, handles prior authorisations
- Cheapest membership in this research at $19.99, first month free
- Honest that branded medication typically runs ~$1,000/month without coverage
Cons
- Does not price the medication at all, so total cost is unknowable up front
- Prior authorisations take 7–14 business days on average
- No compounded route, so no access to the cheap tier
- Nothing published on refunds, pharmacy fulfilment, or shipping
Who it may suit
Someone with in-network insurance who wants an actual primary care physician, lab monitoring, and help through prior authorisation.
Limitations
- Without coverage this is an expensive route — the membership is cheap but the drug is not
- The value depends almost entirely on whether your plan covers the medication
Questions
What does PlushCare cost in total?
$19.99/month membership plus $129 for an initial visit without insurance, or a copay of $30 or less in-network. The medication is separate and PlushCare does not price it — it notes branded options typically run about $1,000/month out of pocket.
Is lab work required?
PlushCare states lab work is often required and that the doctor sends an order to your preferred lab. It is one of only two services in this research to mention labs at all.
How long does prior authorisation take?
PlushCare gives an average processing time of 7–14 business days, and handles the paperwork on your behalf.
Sources
Everything on this page traces to one of the links below, retrieved on the date shown. Prices and programme terms in this market change without notice — confirm against the provider before you buy.