Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Nucore Health vs Optimized Health
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.
Nucore Health
Shoppers who want a single flat monthly price regardless of dose and don't need tirzepatide.
Visit Nucore HealthOptimized Health
Shoppers who want a simple, all-inclusive starting price with no separate visit or membership fee, in one of five served states.
Visit Optimized HealthThe verdict
Nucore Health and Optimized Health tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 55/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Nucore Health (ranked #341, a hair above #342) — Shoppers who want a single flat monthly price regardless of dose and don't need tirzepatide. But Optimized Health 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 Nucore 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 | Nucore Health | Optimized Health |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $299/mo (all doses, compounded) | $200/mo (starting dose, plus a separate fee, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | Not disclosed | $250/mo (starting dose, bundle, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $3,588 | $2,400 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | — | $3,000 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | 5 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #341 | #342 |
Nucore Health
55/100Where the value is
- Flat $299/month price for semaglutide regardless of dose tier, easy to budget
- LegitScript certification badge displayed
- Claims nationwide coverage across all 50 states
The tradeoffs
- No tirzepatide pricing found
- Named pharmacy partner (Fullscript) is atypical for compounded injectables, unclear who actually fulfills the semaglutide prescription
Optimized Health
55/100Where the value is
- Genuinely bundled pricing: the advertised $200/$250 figures are stated to include medication, monitoring, and provider care with 'no contracts'
- LegitScript certified, with the verification link published on-site
- HSA/FSA accepted
The tradeoffs
- Single-provider practice: Mathew Hammons, PA-C is named on-site as 'The Only Licensed Prescriber,' with no backup clinician or named medical director disclosed
- Telehealth is limited to just five states (Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Utah, Washington) plus one in-person Joplin, MO clinic
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.