Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Ascend Vitality vs PRIMO Health Partners
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.
Ascend Vitality
Cost-first shoppers who want cash-pay compounded GLP-1 in both injectable and oral-tablet form, outside LA/MS/KS/NM/WV.
Visit Ascend VitalityPRIMO Health Partners
Patients wanting a simple physician-led glp-1 consult with local pharmacy pickup.
Visit PRIMO Health PartnersThe verdict
Ascend Vitality and PRIMO Health Partners tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 42/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Ascend Vitality (ranked #510, a hair above #515) — Cost-first shoppers who want cash-pay compounded GLP-1 in both injectable and oral-tablet form, outside LA/MS/KS/NM/WV. But PRIMO Health Partners is a genuine coin-flip alternative here.
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 Ascend Vitality.
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 | Ascend Vitality | PRIMO Health Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 42/100 | 42/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $199/mo (plus a separate fee, compounded) | Not disclosed |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $299/mo (compounded) | Not disclosed |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,388 | — |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $3,588 | — |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #510 | #515 |
Ascend Vitality
42/100Where the value is
- Both injectable and oral-tablet forms of semaglutide and tirzepatide are offered — a rare combination
- LegitScript certified, with '503A Pharmacy Approved' and FDA-approved-facility manufacturing claims displayed
- Real 6-month prepay discount on semaglutide ($199/mo down to $176/mo), not just a first-month teaser
The tradeoffs
- The homepage's 'Fall Promo Applied! $120 Off' banner is layered on top of the $199/$299 base price, so the number a shopper sees first is a temporary promotional rate
- All medications are compounded — not FDA-reviewed for safety or effectiveness
PRIMO Health Partners
42/100Where the value is
- Prescribes both semaglutide and tirzepatide after a virtual consult
- Prescriptions can be routed to a pharmacy for either pickup or delivery
- Two phone lines listed for support
The tradeoffs
- No pricing published on the site
- States served and dispensing pharmacy are not disclosed
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.