Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
NuvaHealth vs Primary Clinic (Direct GLP)
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.
NuvaHealth
Shoppers comfortable finding out the real recurring price only at checkout.
Visit NuvaHealthPrimary Clinic (Direct GLP)
Shoppers inside its 10 served states who want primary care bundled with the prescription and will price the membership in.
Visit Primary Clinic (Direct GLP)The verdict
NuvaHealth takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 66 to 65. NuvaHealth is a compounded GLP-1 telehealth platform serving all 50 states, dispensing through four named pharmacy partners (Belmar, Strive, Epiq Scripts, Casa Pharma Rx) and LegitScript certified. Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) still earns a C — Shoppers inside its 10 served states who want primary care bundled with the prescription and will price the membership in.
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 NuvaHealth.
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 | NuvaHealth | Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 66/100 | 65/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $89/mo (starting dose, first-month rate, compounded) | $85/mo (0.25-0.75 mg band, membership required, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $139/mo (starting dose, first-month rate, compounded) | $133/mo (1.25-2.5 mg band, membership required, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,068 | $1,020 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,668 | $1,596 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | WA, NM, AZ, UT, FL, DC, KS, OK, VA, GA |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #139 | #146 |
NuvaHealth
66/100Where the value is
- LegitScript certified with a working verification badge
- Names four real pharmacy partners (Belmar, Strive, Epiq Scripts, Casa Pharma Rx) rather than one anonymous 'licensed pharmacy'
- All 50 states served per its own FAQ
The tradeoffs
- The headline $89/$139 prices are explicitly first-month-only per NuvaHealth's own FAQ — the real month-two-plus recurring price is not published anywhere and only appears at checkout after intake
- No named prescriber or medical director anywhere on the site
Primary Clinic (Direct GLP)
65/100Where the value is
- Both molecules are priced, as dose bands, so the cost of titrating up is visible rather than hidden
- The $89 membership buys unlimited primary care, direct text access and same-day appointments, not just a prescription
- Real per-dose pricing rather than one headline rate
The tradeoffs
- The medication price is on top of an $89/mo membership, which the FAQ states does not include the drug — all-in is about $174/mo semaglutide and $222/mo tirzepatide
- Prices are published as dose BANDS, and the cheapest tirzepatide band starts at 1.25 mg, below the 2.5 mg labeled starting dose
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.