Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Optimized Health vs Rivas 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.
Optimized 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 HealthRivas Medical Weight Loss
Patients already near a physical Rivas clinic in MD, VA, or FL who want the option of in-person injections.
Visit Rivas Medical Weight LossThe verdict
Optimized Health and Rivas Medical Weight Loss tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 55/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Optimized Health (ranked #342, a hair above #345) — Shoppers who want a simple, all-inclusive starting price with no separate visit or membership fee, in one of five served states. But Rivas 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 Optimized 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 | Optimized Health | Rivas Medical Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $200/mo (starting dose, plus a separate fee, compounded) | $399/mo (all doses, plus a separate fee, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $250/mo (starting dose, bundle, compounded) | $599/mo (all doses, plus a separate fee, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,400 | $4,788 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $3,000 | $7,188 |
| Coverage | 5 states | 3 states |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #342 | #345 |
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
Rivas Medical Weight Loss
55/100Where the value is
- Long-tenured, named physician (Dr. Paul Rivas, 30+ years) rather than an anonymous provider pool
- 15 physical clinic locations offer an in-person alternative to remote-only competitors
- States prescribing decisions are 'made during your visit -- not after a form review'
The tradeoffs
- Telehealth footprint limited to just 3 states (MD, VA, FL)
- A $195 initial-visit fee is charged separately from the advertised monthly medication price
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.