Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Zera Health vs Basal 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.
Zera Health
Shoppers who want a named 503A pharmacy and full 50-state coverage at a moderate compounded price.
Visit Zera HealthBasal Health
Cost-first shoppers who want a low, clearly-labeled first-month tirzepatide rate — if you can tolerate not knowing what month two costs before you sign up.
Visit Basal HealthThe verdict
Zera Health takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 61 to 60. Zera Health (zerahealth.org) is a cash-pay telehealth platform selling compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, a lower-cost microdose tier, and an oral GLP-1 tablet option, dispensed through Strive Pharmacy (503A). Basal Health still earns a C — Cost-first shoppers who want a low, clearly-labeled first-month tirzepatide rate — if you can tolerate not knowing what month two costs before you sign up.
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 Zera Health.
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 | Zera Health | Basal Health |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 61/100 | 60/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Tirzepatide / mo | Not disclosed | $99/mo (first-month rate, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | — | — |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | — | $1,188 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #240 | #247 |
Zera Health
61/100Where the value is
- Named dispensing pharmacy — Strive Pharmacy, a 503A compounder — disclosed in the footer
- LegitScript Certified badge displayed
- Stated coverage across all 50 states with no exclusions found
The tradeoffs
- The advertised '$149' semaglutide price is explicitly a first-month-only rate; the standing price is $179/mo
- Tirzepatide's '$199/mo' figure has no first-month/standing clarifier on the page, unlike semaglutide, so it's unclear if it will also step up after month one
Basal Health
60/100Where the value is
- Stated nationwide coverage — 'all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia' — confirmed in the footer disclaimer
- LegitScript Certified badge displayed
- The $99 first-month price is at least labeled honestly as a first-month rate rather than implied to be the standing price
The tradeoffs
- The $99 figure is explicitly first-month only; the ongoing monthly price is never disclosed anywhere on the public site
- No semaglutide pricing (or confirmation semaglutide is even offered) was found — only tirzepatide is named
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.