Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Nova MD vs Options Medical Weight Loss
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.
Nova MD
Shoppers who want an explicit tirzepatide dose-titration schedule alongside tiered pricing.
Visit Nova MDOptions Medical Weight Loss
Patients near one of its 27 physical clinic locations across PA, AZ, IL, MI, OH, FL, GA, IN, or NC who prefer in-person obesity-medicine care over telehealth.
Visit Options Medical Weight LossThe verdict
Nova MD and Options Medical Weight Loss tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 60/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Nova MD (ranked #254, a hair above #255) — Shoppers who want an explicit tirzepatide dose-titration schedule alongside tiered pricing. But Options Medical Weight Loss 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 Nova MD.
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 | Nova MD | Options Medical Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 60/100 | 60/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $175/mo (compounded) | $199/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $199/mo (compounded) | $399/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,100 | $2,388 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,388 | $4,788 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #254 | #255 |
Nova MD
60/100Where the value is
- Full 1/3/6/12-month tirzepatide pricing ladder disclosed, down to $149/mo on the annual plan
- Explicit monthly dose-titration schedule published for tirzepatide (2.5mg to 15mg over 6 months) — more clinical detail than most competitors in this set show
- LegitScript verification badge present with a working link to legitscript.com
The tradeoffs
- No compounding pharmacy is named — only 'Licensed U.S. Pharmacy'
- No state-coverage list is published anywhere on the public site (checked homepage, medical-disclaimers, and refund-policy pages)
Options Medical Weight Loss
60/100Where the value is
- Rare in-person clinic model with ABOM (obesity-medicine board) certified providers
- LegitScript certified and Newsweek-recognized
- Medication included in the advertised monthly price, not billed separately
The tradeoffs
- Only available in 9 states with in-person locations, heavily concentrated in Illinois and Ohio
- 'Starting at' prices are for the lowest dose only; real cost at higher/maintenance doses not disclosed
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.