Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Shapely vs Blue Sky MD
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.
Shapely
Cost-first shoppers who want insured patients in CA, FL, NY, or TX who want help navigating coverage for branded GLP-1s.
Visit ShapelyBlue Sky MD
Cost-first shoppers who want north Carolina residents who want an established, physician-led, LegitScript-certified in-person clinic.
Visit Blue Sky MDThe verdict
Shapely takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 64 to 63. Shapely is primarily an insurance-navigation platform for branded GLP-1s, layering a separate monthly membership fee on top of medication cost. Blue Sky MD still earns a C — Cost-first shoppers who want north Carolina residents who want an established, physician-led, LegitScript-certified in-person clinic.
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 Shapely.
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 | Shapely | Blue Sky MD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 64/100 | 63/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $99/mo (plus a separate fee, compounded) | $160/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $166/mo (plus a separate fee, compounded) | $240/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,188 | $1,920 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,992 | $2,880 |
| Coverage | 4 states | 1 state |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #182 | #188 |
Shapely
64/100Where the value is
- Named, credentialed founder (Dr. Justin Zaghi, Harvard-trained, board-certified obesity medicine)
- Genuine insurance-navigation service across 8 major payers, potentially large savings if covered
- Both cash-pay compounded and insurance-covered branded pathways offered
The tradeoffs
- Live in only 4 states (CA, FL, NY, TX) despite a '50-state expansion' announcement
- Separate membership fee stacks on top of medication cost, and its headline prices ($9 first month, $49/mo promo) are not the real ongoing rate ($99/mo)
Blue Sky MD
63/100Where the value is
- LegitScript-certified with a named, pictured Medical Director (Dr. David LaMond) and a practice history dating to 2008
- Weekly pricing ($40 semaglutide / $60 tirzepatide) is well below brand-name cost and comparable to many compounded telehealth competitors
- 7 physical clinic locations across North Carolina (Charlotte, Asheville, Hendersonville, Greensboro, Clemmons, South Charlotte, Mooresville) for patients who want in-person care
The tradeoffs
- The published $40/$60 per-week price is explicitly labeled 'in-office' on the GLP-1 page, and that specific page never mentions telehealth at all — whether the rate applies to out-of-state or telehealth-only patients is unconfirmed
- Geographic footprint is North Carolina only; no state-by-state telehealth coverage list is published
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.