Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Rivas Medical Weight Loss vs Fierce Health
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.
Rivas 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 LossFierce Health
Shoppers specifically seeking a below-standard 'microdose' GLP-1 protocol at a discounted entry price.
Visit Fierce HealthThe verdict
Rivas Medical Weight Loss and Fierce Health tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 55/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Rivas Medical Weight Loss (ranked #345, a hair above #351) — Patients already near a physical Rivas clinic in MD, VA, or FL who want the option of in-person injections. But Fierce Health 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 Rivas Medical Weight Loss.
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 | Rivas Medical Weight Loss | Fierce Health |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $399/mo (all doses, plus a separate fee, compounded) | Not disclosed |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $599/mo (all doses, plus a separate fee, compounded) | Not disclosed |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $4,788 | — |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $7,188 | — |
| Coverage | 3 states | 30 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #345 | #351 |
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
Fierce Health
55/100Where the value is
- Semaglutide is currently listed at a steep markdown ($197 vs. a stated $591 regular price) if the discount holds at checkout
- Sells both semaglutide and tirzepatide with clearly separated pricing rather than bundling them
- Discloses the standard compounding/FDA disclaimer plainly in the footer
The tradeoffs
- The $591 'regular price' next to a $197 'sale price' is a large, unexplained gap — no page discloses how long the discount lasts or what the price reverts to
- No mg dose amount is disclosed for either 'microdose' product on any page reached
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.