Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Care Clinics vs Livea
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.
Care Clinics
Shoppers who want a fixed program price and are comfortable confirming at checkout whether it's a one-time or recurring charge.
Visit Care ClinicsLivea
Cost-first shoppers who want mN/WI residents wanting in-person clinic access, or telehealth patients in MN, WI, IA, or FL.
Visit LiveaThe verdict
Care Clinics and Livea tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 62/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Care Clinics (ranked #205, a hair above #208) — Shoppers who want a fixed program price and are comfortable confirming at checkout whether it's a one-time or recurring charge. But Livea 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 Care Clinics.
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 | Care Clinics | Livea |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 62/100 | 62/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $259/mo (0.5 mg dose, compounded) | $99/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $329/mo (2.5 mg dose, compounded) | $199/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $3,108 | $1,188 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $3,948 | $2,388 |
| Coverage | 32 states | 4 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Yes |
| Rank here | #205 | #208 |
Care Clinics
62/100Where the value is
- Corporate entity (Care Clinics PLLC) and a named 503A pharmacy (Partell Pharmacy) disclosed
- LegitScript certified
- Explicit 31-state list published in the FAQ, not vague 'most states' language
The tradeoffs
- The advertised '$148/mo' semaglutide figure used elsewhere appears to be an average of the $259 total 7-week program cost, not a confirmed recurring $148 monthly charge — billing frequency could not be verified at checkout today
- No named prescriber or medical director — only generic 'our healthcare provider' language
Livea
62/100Where the value is
- Hybrid model offers real in-person clinic locations (8 across MN & WI), not telehealth-only
- Low headline starting price for semaglutide ($99/mo)
- Broader wellness service menu (nutrition, hormone therapy, NAD+) beyond just GLP-1s
The tradeoffs
- Tirzepatide explicitly flagged 'when available,' implying inconsistent supply
- No named medical director or specific compounding pharmacy partner
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.