Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Idgie Health vs SurpassMD
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.
Idgie Health
Someone who wants the whole ladder visible and will ask what the membership is before starting.
Visit Idgie HealthSurpassMD
Shoppers who want a published price table by plan length and a price that stays put as the dose goes up.
Visit SurpassMDThe verdict
Idgie Health takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 79 to 78. Publishes the amount billed today at every rung and names its 503A class — then describes a recurring Membership Fee only in the Terms. SurpassMD still earns a C — Shoppers who want a published price table by plan length and a price that stays put as the dose goes up.
Worth knowing either way: CoreAge Rx is one of our partners and leads our leaderboard, where partners are listed first (Cost-Efficiency Index 94/100). See how it stacks up: CoreAge Rx vs Idgie 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 | Idgie Health | SurpassMD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 79/100 | 78/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $149/moMonth-to-month; $129 on three months and $114 on six | $219/moCompounded, month to month; $175 introductory first month, same price at every dose |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $229/moMonth-to-month; $185 on three months and $171 on six | $309/moCompounded, month to month; $247 introductory first month, same price at every dose |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,788 | $2,628 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,748 | $3,708 |
| Coverage | A state-availability page is published | All 50 states and D.C. |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #44 | #50 |
Idgie Health
79/100Where the value is
- Every rung carries the figure billed today — $387 at three months, $687 at six on semaglutide — not just a per-month number
- States the pharmacy class plainly: prescriptions ship from a licensed U.S. 503A pharmacy
- Names its operating entity, Feel Better Health Group, LLC, in the page footer rather than only in the Terms
The tradeoffs
- Both headlines are the six-month prepay: "From $114" against $149, and "From $171" against $229
- The Terms describe a recurring Membership Fee, and exclude the online visit and any labs from it, while the pricing page never uses the word
SurpassMD
78/100Where the value is
- Each medication page has a full table of 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month prices, showing both the introductory rate and the standard renewal rate
- One price covers the provider review, medication, shipping and ongoing support, with no separate membership fee
- The price does not rise when your provider increases your dose
The tradeoffs
- The homepage's "as low as $114" and "$177" are introductory prices on a 12-month supply; month to month the standard rates are $219 and $309
- No refunds after cancellation unless you're medically disqualified
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.