Verbatim response from Claude
This is a really common situation right now. Here are your main options to consider:
Compounded GLP-1s
Possible options:
- Hims & Hers - offers compounded semaglutide, relatively accessible
- Ro (Body program) - similar compounded semaglutide offering
- Henry Meds - known for competitive pricing on compounded GLP-1s
Important caveats:
- The FDA has stated compounded semaglutide raises safety concerns
- Quality control varies significantly between compounding pharmacies
- Now that Wegovy is off the shortage list, legal availability of compounded versions is increasingly restricted
- These are not FDA-approved versions of the drug
Other Options Worth Considering First
- Appeal your insurance denial - companies like Resolve to Save Lives or patient advocacy services can help; denial reversal rates are meaningful
- Novo Nordisk's savings program - can bring Wegovy to ~$650/month or less for cash-pay patients
- Try Ozempic (same drug, different dose) - sometimes covered when Wegovy isn't
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) - different mechanism, sometimes covered when semaglutide isn't; also has manufacturer coupons
My Honest Recommendation
Exhaust the appeal and manufacturer savings routes first before compounded options, given the evolving regulatory and safety landscape.
Would you like more detail on any of these paths?