Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Aquivia Health vs Balanced Hormone Health
Two GLP-1 programs on the bench, scored on the same six factors. Here's how their real cost of ownership compares — and which one we'd start with.
Aquivia Health
Cost-first shoppers who want clinician-reviewed compounded GLP-1 with optional branded upgrade.
Visit Aquivia HealthBalanced Hormone Health
Patients who want a named, long-tenured medical advisor and unusually specific, named compounding pharmacy partners.
Visit Balanced Hormone HealthThe verdict
Aquivia Health takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 62 to 61. Aquivia Health is a clinician-led, self-pay telehealth platform offering compounded GLP-1 therapy with the option to step up to branded Ozempic or Zepbound. Balanced Hormone Health still earns a C — Patients who want a named, long-tenured medical advisor and unusually specific, named compounding pharmacy partners.
Worth knowing either way: our overall #1 pick is CoreAge Rx (Cost-Efficiency Index 94/100 — the top of the ranking). See how it stacks up: CoreAge Rx vs Aquivia Health.
Factor by factor
Both providers scored on our six Cost-Efficiency Index factors. The stronger side on each row is marked in teal.
Normalized Cost/Month
Price Transparency
Nationwide Access
Formulation Options
Clinical Oversight
Contract Flexibility
Pricing, coverage & formulary
The disclosed facts behind the scores. Lower price wins its row (teal).
| Spec | Aquivia Health | Balanced Hormone Health |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 62/100 | 61/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $149/mo | $197/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $179/mo | $499/mo (3 month plan, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,788 | $2,364 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,148 | $5,988 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Yes |
| Rank here | #217 | #224 |
Aquivia Health
62/100Where the value is
- Clinical care provided by Open Loop Healthcare Partners, PC — a reused, verified MSO network
- Named leadership: Steven Bishop MD (CMO), Phillip Gray PharmD (Chief Pharmacist), Tom Foster (President)
- Itemized public pricing: compounded semaglutide $149/mo, tirzepatide $179/mo, Ozempic $1,299, Zepbound $1,399
The tradeoffs
- No public list of states served — you must complete intake to learn if your state qualifies
- No named 503A compounding pharmacy partner, limiting licensure verification
Balanced Hormone Health
61/100Where the value is
- Named Medical Advisor with three decades of practice (Dr. Gerstenberg, DO, since 1993)
- Two named, checkable compounding pharmacies (Tailormade Compounding, Striker Pharmacy) rather than a vague 'licensed pharmacy'
- LegitScript Certified badge displayed
The tradeoffs
- Semaglutide price is an explicit 'Starting at' teaser tied to a ~10-week window, not a clear ongoing monthly rate
- Tirzepatide's $499 is a 12-week lump-sum package presented without a per-month breakdown
Assume any provider we list may compensate us — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It never changes the Cost-Efficiency Index. Pricing, states and verification reflect each provider's public disclosures at last review; prices change — confirm on the provider's site. Not medical advice. See our disclosure.