Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
PlushCare vs Vital Step
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.
PlushCare
Patients who want a real board-certified physician managing GLP-1s alongside general primary care, and are prepared to navigate insurance or a manufacturer cash-pay program rather than a single flat price.
Visit PlushCareVital Step
Shoppers who want a GLP-1 tablet option in any state and are willing to finish the intake to see the real monthly price before paying.
Visit Vital StepThe verdict
PlushCare and Vital Step tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 65/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. PlushCare: Patients who want a real board-certified physician managing GLP-1s alongside general primary care, and are prepared to navigate insurance or a manufacturer cash-pay program rather than a single flat price. Vital Step: Shoppers who want a GLP-1 tablet option in any state and are willing to finish the intake to see the real monthly price before paying.
Worth knowing either way: CoreAge Rx is one of our partners and leads our leaderboard, where partners are listed first (Cost-Efficiency Index 94/100). See how it stacks up: CoreAge Rx vs PlushCare.
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 | PlushCare | Vital Step |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 65/100 | 65/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $199/mo0.25 mg dose, plus a separate fee, brand-name | $161/moLowest advertised rate, compounded; the plan behind it and the regular monthly price appear only after the intake |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $399/mo5 mg dose, plus a separate fee, compounded | $198/moLowest advertised rate, compounded; the regular monthly price appears only after the intake |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,388 | $1,932 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $4,788 | $2,376 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #205 | #212 |
PlushCare
65/100Where the value is
- Board-certified physicians (not NP-only) available in all 50 states for general virtual primary care
- Publishes an unusually granular compounded-tirzepatide dose ladder ($399/$599/$749 by vial count) instead of a vague single 'starting at' figure
- Brand Wegovy via NovoCare's manufacturer program can beat most compounded prices ($199-399/mo) when the promotion is genuinely still active
The tradeoffs
- Compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide are each only available in about 39 states plus DC, narrower than PlushCare's general 50-state telehealth business
- A $19.99/mo membership and, for uninsured patients, a $129 visit fee sit on top of every medication price and are easy to miss from the headline drug price alone
Vital Step
65/100Where the value is
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide both come as weekly injections or daily dissolving tablets
- Publishes a list of all 50 states it ships to
- Free expedited delivery and round-the-clock support, with side-effect questions and dose adjustments included
The tradeoffs
- Only "as low as" figures are published; the plan length behind $161 and $198 and the regular month-to-month price are shown only after the intake
- No refunds at all: the refund policy says all fees and charges are non-refundable, in whole or in part
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.