Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Cielo vs Independent Wellness
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.
Cielo
Shoppers comfortable committing to an undisclosed-structure 6-month plan for a flat, dose-independent price.
Visit CieloIndependent Wellness
Shoppers who want included lab testing from a single named FNP-C, PENDING re-verification of price and state count.
Visit Independent WellnessThe verdict
Cielo and Independent Wellness tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 68/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Cielo (ranked #115, a hair above #117) — Shoppers comfortable committing to an undisclosed-structure 6-month plan for a flat, dose-independent price. But Independent Wellness 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 Cielo.
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 | Cielo | Independent Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 68/100 | 68/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $89/mo (all doses, 6-month plan, compounded) | $249/mo (compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $129/mo (all doses, 6-month plan, compounded) | $379/mo (compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,068 | $2,988 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,548 | $4,548 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #115 | #117 |
Cielo
68/100Where the value is
- Flat pricing regardless of dose for both semaglutide and tirzepatide, avoiding per-mg price escalation during titration
- Free physician consult and free shipping stated as included
- Claims 'Every batch tested', at least asserting quality-control testing exists
The tradeoffs
- The '6-month plan' mechanics are never explained — whether it's a one-time prepayment or a 6-month billing lock is unknown, which is exactly the kind of commitment term that should be disclosed before signup
- No pharmacy, medical director, or prescriber is named anywhere on the accessible site
Independent Wellness
68/100Where the value is
- Named provider (Bonnie Lea Davis, FNP-C) rather than an anonymous clinician pool
- Lab testing (Quest Labs) stated as included at no extra cost, per indexed content
- Oral sublingual option available in addition to injectables
The tradeoffs
- Site returned 403 Forbidden to every direct access attempt today — nothing here was independently confirmed live, only reconstructed from search snippets
- Search-indexed state coverage (~20 states) conflicts with the current dataset's 'All 50 states' claim — this needs resolving before either number is trusted
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.