Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
MEDGm vs Care Clinics
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.
MEDGm
Readers who want the dispensing pharmacies and the prescribing practices named, and who will price the second month rather than the first.
Visit MEDGmCare 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 ClinicsThe verdict
Care Clinics takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 62 to 60. Care Clinics PLLC is a LegitScript-certified telehealth clinic selling multi-week GLP-1 'programs' (7-week or 3-month for semaglutide, 4-week or 3-month for tirzepatide) as a single program price rather than a clearly-stated recurring monthly fee. MEDGm still earns a C — Readers who want the dispensing pharmacies and the prescribing practices named, and who will price the second month rather than the first.
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 | MEDGm | Care Clinics |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 60/100 | 62/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $299/mo month-to-month (the advertised $179 is the first month only, after an automatically applied coupon) | $259/mo (0.5 mg dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $399/mo month-to-month (the advertised $279 is the first month only) | $329/mo (2.5 mg dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $3,588 | $3,108 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $4,788 | $3,948 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | 32 states |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #203 | #205 |
MEDGm
60/100Where the value is
- Names all four pharmacy partners in its terms, with street addresses, phone numbers and websites, and says which compounding classes they operate under
- Names seven prescribing professional corporations on its consent page rather than referring to an unnamed medical group
- Publishes the full ladder for three GLP-1 routes — injection, oral tablet and tirzepatide — at one, three, six and twelve months
The tradeoffs
- "Starting at $179" is a first-month rate produced by an automatically applied coupon; the standing month-to-month price is $299, and the same shape applies to the oral tablet and to tirzepatide
- The treatments FAQ says "your price never increases" on a plan whose price increases by $120 at the first renewal
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
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.