Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Shapely vs Novera 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
Insured patients in CA, FL, NY or TX who want help getting coverage for brand-name GLP-1s.
Visit ShapelyNovera MD
Shoppers who want GLP-1 care alongside hormone and longevity treatments and are prepared to confirm the real monthly price inside the intake.
Visit Novera MDThe verdict
Shapely and Novera MD tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 64/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. Shapely: Insured patients in CA, FL, NY or TX who want help getting coverage for brand-name GLP-1s. Novera MD: Shoppers who want GLP-1 care alongside hormone and longevity treatments and are prepared to confirm the real monthly price inside the intake.
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 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 | Novera MD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 64/100 | 64/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $99/moPlus a separate fee, compounded | $94.31/moStarting price, plan length not shown before the intake, compounded |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $166/moPlus a separate fee, compounded | $164.31/moStarting price, plan length not shown before the intake, compounded |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,188 | $1,128 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,992 | $1,968 |
| Coverage | 4 states | Not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #224 | #228 |
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)
Novera MD
64/100Where the value is
- Starting prices for both compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are on the product pages before the quiz, with a buy-now-pay-later option
- A licensed physician reviews your answers, and the semaglutide page says your dose is adjusted gradually with check-ins along the way
- Hormone, NAD+, sermorelin, glutathione and MIC + B12 treatments are available from the same account
The tradeoffs
- The $94.31 and $164.31 figures are "starting at" prices, and the plan length, billing cycle and the price for higher doses aren't shown before the intake
- No cancellation or refund policy is published 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.