I had an ad pop up in my Instagram feed the other day for Elevate Health, and it grabbed my attention. Elevate Health is yet another online compounded GLP-1 provider that’s looking to get a share of the explosive online weight loss market.

The majority of the compounded GLP-1 telehealth providers are very similar; they offer the same products (compounded GLP-1s from the same compounding pharmacies), they have similar pricing structures, and they generally offer the same experience. That said, each company does have its little nuances that can ultimately serve as your decision maker, so I like to peel back the layers on some of these popular companies and help you decide if it's worth pursuing medication through them. So let’s unpack Elevate Health!

Here’s What I Discovered About Elevate Health

When I first landed on Elevate Health’s website, I was met with an image of 3 inclusive women who were overweight and smiling in their undergarments. I immediately felt connected to the brand as a woman because it was immediately apparent that women are their target audience, despite the fact that the branding isn’t overly feminine. 

I started looking around, and it looks like Elevate only offers compounded tirzepatide, which I don’t necessarily think is bad, as tirzepatide is a more effective medication when compared to semaglutide. If you came to Elevate looking for semaglutide, you might want to look somewhere else. 

I read through Elevate’s FAQs, and everything looked to be pretty standard. One thing that stuck out to me was that Elevate does have a BMI requirement of >30 or >27 with certain medical conditions. For those who fall into the overweight or obese category, this isn’t an issue. However, for those who have a BMI of <30 who are struggling with excess weight and other metabolic conditions, this BMI limit is a deal breaker. For context, these limits used to be the standard by which all GLP-1 providers would use to determine eligibility for medication, but there’s been a major shift recently. 

Thanks to companies like Willow and Josie, accessing GLP-1 medications is now more accessible than ever because the BMI limits have been removed. Companies and the doctors who prescribe them have recognized that GLP-1 medications provide benefits for those who might not meet the BMI criteria for being overweight or obese. From metabolic health support to managing hunger and cravings, there are many potential benefits to using a GLP-1 that extend far beyond the traditional usage.

The BMI requirements for Elevate Health won’t be an issue for those who have a BMI of >27, but it’s something to note for those who fall under that and are still seeking support via a GLP-1. If that’s you, I would recommend trying Josie or Willow as they both offer GLP-1 medications without BMI restrictions.

After reading through the FAQs, I went ahead and clicked on the button to “Get Started Today” on the website, assuming doing so would take me to a quiz where I would be pre-qualified or disqualified for the medication, as this is the way it’s done with pretty much every other online provider. However, I was brought directly to a checkout screen that gave me the option to choose between their 12-week compounded tirzepatide program or their monthly compound tirzepatide program. 

The 12-week program is $789 (which comes out to $263/month), and the monthly program is $449/month. Clearly, going with the 12-week program is the most cost-effective option, but it also means you’re signing on for at least 3 months of treatment. This isn’t a problem for those who have used tirzepatide before and know it’s a good fit, but for those new to the medication, they might want to try the monthly program first to make sure this is something they want to continue with. I am not sure if, after you initially join the monthly program, you would be able to then switch to the 12-week program. 

It’s clear to me that they really want to push the 12-week program, as they priced their monthly program on the high side compared to most of their competitors. Most monthly tirzepatide programs average around $399/per month, making Elevate about $50/month more if you went with the monthly program option. I also noticed that Elevate offers a “GLP-1 support pack” as an optional add-on to your cart at checkout for $69.99. This support pack includes: a fiber supplement, ginger root, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, and vitamin B complex. Personally, I would skip this and purchase my own trusted supplements.

I really didn’t like that Elevate has you complete your checkout and pay for the medication before you even get pre-approved for the medication, especially since they have such strict BMI guidelines in place. Essentially, they take your money first and then will find you after if they decide you’re not a good fit. I’d rather at least take a quiz first to know that I am qualified before giving them my credit card number and consent to charge. 

Since I was just investigating this provider, not actually looking to order the medication, I didn’t go through with the checkout process, as I didn’t want to have to deal with needing to make sure I get refunded afterward, especially since I know my BMI would not qualify for the medication. But, from what I understand by reading through all of the available information online, after you check out and pay, you are then directed to the intake form, where you’ll submit your information to be reviewed by a doctor in your state. 

Elevate Health Red Flags and Green Flags

After reviewing Elevate Health, I’ve identified both some red flags and some green flags, so let’s talk about it, starting with the green flags:

The pricing for the 12-week plan is excellent - $263/ month for compounded tirzepatide is a great deal.

Elevate has real customer testimonials on its website, not AI-generated videos

There’s a BMI requirement, so they aren’t irresponsibly prescribing medication to those who don’t medically need it.

I like that they mention on the website that GLP-1s should be used as a tool in a broader approach to a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating, increased activity, and behavior support. As a personal trainer and nutrition coach, this is my biggest message when it comes to GLP-1s, so I love to see providers also supporting it.

Elevate offers payment plans through Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay.

Ok, now the red flags:

Final Thoughts

Overall, I don’t hate Elevate. I think it’s probably a pretty reliable place to get your compounded tirzepatide medication. In fact, if you go for their 12-week program, you’ll actually get a pretty sweet deal (assuming they are using proper dosages and sourcing from a reliable compounding pharmacy). 

The other thing that gives me pause on Elevate is that they have you check out first before giving you any kind of prequalification or indication that you would be approved for the medication. Again, I am sure they will refund you quickly if it’s not a good fit, but I still would prefer to pay once I’m approved personally. That being said, if you know that your BMI is above 27 and that you don’t have any other pre-existing conditions that would disqualify you from being prescribed, it sounds like Elevate would offer a pretty seamless experience.

Whether you decide to go with Elevate or another company to get your compounded GLP-1 medication, remember that it’s just one tool in your healthy lifestyle toolbox. You should also be eating a balanced, high-protein, high-fiber diet and prioritizing strength training. If you need help, I’d love to welcome you to my app, Simply Strong, where I take care of your strength workouts for you, and you get to enjoy a library of over 500 high-protein recipes.