Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
MDLive vs Remote Pharmacy
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.
MDLive
Cost-first shoppers who want not a fit for GLP-1 price shopping -- best suited to patients who already have MDLIVE access for general primary care.
Visit MDLiveRemote Pharmacy
Patients who specifically don't want a monthly membership fee and are comfortable paying for medication alone.
Visit Remote PharmacyThe verdict
MDLive and Remote Pharmacy tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 50/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with MDLive (ranked #410, a hair above #413) — Cost-first shoppers who want not a fit for GLP-1 price shopping -- best suited to patients who already have MDLIVE access for general primary care. But Remote Pharmacy 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 MDLive.
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 | MDLive | Remote Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 50/100 | 50/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | Not disclosed | $287/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | — | $3,444 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | — | — |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #410 | #413 |
MDLive
50/100Where the value is
- Backed by a major, established telehealth/insurance parent (Evernorth/Cigna)
- Access to FDA-approved branded anti-obesity medications, not unregulated compounds
- Broad general primary-care telehealth infrastructure
The tradeoffs
- No dedicated GLP-1 or weight-loss program -- medications are folded into general primary care visits only
- No medication-specific pricing published anywhere
Remote Pharmacy
50/100Where the value is
- No subscription or membership fee -- 'you only pay for your medication'
- Free doctor consultation included
- Confirmed real semaglutide prescriptions via customer testimonial, not just marketing copy
The tradeoffs
- Only a single 'starting at' price is published, with no dose-tier breakdown
- Tirzepatide availability could not be confirmed
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.