Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Piper vs NuvaHealth
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.
Piper
Shoppers who understand the pricing is billed weekly and want a flat, dose-independent recurring charge from a named pharmacy.
Visit PiperNuvaHealth
Shoppers comfortable finding out the real recurring price only at checkout.
Visit NuvaHealthThe verdict
Piper and NuvaHealth tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 66/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Piper (ranked #142, a hair above #149) — Shoppers who understand the pricing is billed weekly and want a flat, dose-independent recurring charge from a named pharmacy. But NuvaHealth 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 Piper.
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 | Piper | NuvaHealth |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 66/100 | 66/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $135/week ($585/mo equiv.) | $89/mo (starting dose, first-month rate, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $199/week ($862/mo equiv.) | $139/mo (starting dose, first-month rate, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $7,020 | $1,068 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $10,344 | $1,668 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #142 | #149 |
Piper
66/100Where the value is
- Names two specific 503A partner compounding pharmacies (Hallandale Pharmacy, VialsRx) rather than staying anonymous
- Nationwide all-50 access with flat pricing at every dose
- LegitScript-certified seal displayed for the current joinpolly.com domain
The tradeoffs
- The headline $135/$199 prices are billed WEEKLY, not monthly — the real monthly-equivalent cost is roughly $585 (semaglutide) and $862 (tirzepatide)
- Compounded only — no brand-name or oral route
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
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.