Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) vs Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center
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.
Primary 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)Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center
Cost-first shoppers who want maine-based or Central-Maine patients wanting an experienced, board-certified physician offering sublingual ODT GLP-1 options.
Visit Dr. Gillis' Wellness CenterThe verdict
Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) and Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 65/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) (ranked #156, a hair above #159) — Shoppers inside its 10 served states who want primary care bundled with the prescription and will price the membership in. But Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center 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 Primary Clinic (Direct GLP).
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 | Primary Clinic (Direct GLP) | Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 65/100 | 65/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $85/mo (0.25-0.75 mg band, membership required, compounded) | $250/mo (starting dose, compounded oral) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $133/mo (1.25-2.5 mg band, membership required, compounded) | $325/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,020 | $3,000 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,596 | $3,900 |
| Coverage | WA, NM, AZ, UT, FL, DC, KS, OK, VA, GA | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #156 | #159 |
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
Dr. Gillis' Wellness Center
65/100Where the value is
- Led by a board-certified physician/surgeon with 25+ years of experience per the practice's own materials
- Offers a broad GLP-1 menu — semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide — in both injectable and needle-free sublingual ODT form
- No long-term contracts; flexible weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly dosing cadence
The tradeoffs
- The advertised '$149 starting dose' is just that — a starting dose. The practice's own dedicated pricing page lists semaglutide 'Starting at $250/Month' and tirzepatide 'Starting at $325/month,' both well above the promotional figure
- Nationwide/all-50-states coverage could not be confirmed on the practice's own site; third-party directories describe it as a Central Maine practice
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.