MEDVi is yet another telehealth provider offering compounded GLP-1 medications for those seeking them. At first glance, this provider didn’t look like anything special; however, I gave Medvi a chance and went through their online intake process to see if I qualify for medication, what comes with it, and how it works. 

Honestly, Medvi surprised me with their process, service, and product offerings. As a personal trainer and women’s weight loss coach, GLP-1s are coming up in our daily conversations. If you follow me on social media or listen to my podcast, then you’re probably aware that I am a proponent of utilizing GLP-1s as a tool if you need to. Paired with a healthy lifestyle, proper protein intake, and a weight training routine (all of which I can help you with, by the way). 

Let’s talk about Medvi!

Getting Started With Medvi

The process for getting started with Medvi is pretty simple and standard. It starts with a quiz that leads you through your current information, your goals, your medical conditions, your health history, etc. Throughout the quiz, Medvi shows you other success stories and shares encouragement with you along the way. It’s really interactive and supportive.

I went through the quiz, entering my current information, which gives me a BMI of around 21, which is considered within the normal range. I am seeing more and more these days providers that are approving GLP-1 medications for patients with lower BMIs. Having a BMI that puts you in the overweight or obese range is no longer the only indicator of necessity for GLP-1 medication. For compounded medications, anyway.

After I completed the questionnaire, I was sent to a web page that gave me pre-approval for a GLP-1 prescription. I had entered that I only wanted to lose 10 lbs. And they indicated that I would reach my weight loss goal within 4 months, which would mean a very slow, sustainable weight loss (which I am all about!). According to the web page, I had a 94.6% chance of success with using a GLP-1 medication. I’m not sure how they came to that conclusion, but it felt very promising. 

On that same page, they shared the “goals I will accomplish” with my plan, which included losing 10 lbs., resetting my metabolic “set point” so that my body would naturally want to maintain my new weight, and I would look and feel healthier. This all sounds great (obviously), although knowing what I do about the industry, I am not convinced that after 4 months on a GLP-1, I will have reset my metabolic set point. A lot of research is showing that long-term use (even in very small doses) might be required to maintain weight loss.

What’s Included With Your Prescription

If you’re approved through Medvi for a GLP-1 medication, you will get your prescription medication (4 weeks at a time), 1:1 physician guidance (via chat), and a weight loss guarantee. Medvi guarantees that you’ll lose weight by the end of your program, or you’ll get your money back. I don’t see a lot of telehealth weight loss companies offering this, so it’s definitely a perk if you’re someone who is a bit skeptical about effectiveness.

Once a Medvi doctor reviews your information and they put the final stamp of approval on it, your medication is prepared at one of their compounding pharmacies, and you’ll receive tracking information within 2 business days (per the website, I don’t have personal experience to attest to this). On paper, it sounds like Medvi ships quickly, which is great as shipping times have been a point of contention with many providers. They also state that most prescriptions are approved in less than 24 hours. Again, I can’t verify that, but it sounds promising.

After you receive your first vial of your compounded GLP-1, you’ll inject once per week (or as indicated by your physician). When it’s time for a refill, Medvi will send you a refill form that you’ll fill out and then they’ll prepare your next shipment for you so you don’t have any lapses in care. I like that they do the refill form every month before shipping out your next month’s medication so that you have the opportunity to approve it and indicate any side effects, desired changes, etc. A lot of companies will just auto-ship more medication to you without ever checking in, so this adds an extra layer of care, in my opinion. 

Aside from the monthly refill check-in, you get unlimited support from the Medvi care team. You can send them a message anytime. This level of support is pretty standard for telemedicine companies. Some companies are more responsive than others. 

Medication Options

From what I can tell (and what was offered to me after my initial consultation), Medvi offers compounded semaglutide for $299/month or compounded tirzepatide for $499/month. However, Medvi offers a steep discount of $120 off your first month for semaglutide, making your first month $179. Or, $220 off of tirzepatide, making your first month $279. 

I love that they are doing a first-month discount; however, their pricing for tirzepatide is a tad higher than what I’m seeing from most telemedicine companies. Brands like Josie, Willow, and Emerge have lower costs for compounded tirzepatide, so if that’s the medication you’d prefer, I would consider using another provider with a lower price point. If you’re worried about quality or anything like that, it’s important to note that almost all of these telehealth companies are using the same compounding pharmacies, so the differences in medication would be nominal. 

Medvi doesn’t take insurance, so if you were hoping to get your medication covered by your insurance, you’re better off going through another provider that accepts insurance. That said, if you have an HSA account, you should be able to use your HSA card to pay for your prescription. I’ve heard from lots of people who have mentioned they’re using their HSA cards to pay for treatment, and it’s super simple. You might have to contact Medvi to get a detailed invoice to send if your HSA provider requires it.

Overall Thoughts and Do I Recommend Medvi?

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised with what I discovered when going through the intake process for Medvi. Companies offering access to compounded GLP-1 medications are a dime a dozen these days, and I’ve seen some pretty shady ones. Medvi, however, appears to be the real deal - from their advanced intake process, customized emails and treatment plans, and easy access for people of all shapes, sizes, and goals, Medvi is making getting prescription GLP-1s pretty pain-free. Plus, they have a money-back guarantee, so if you’re at all worried about results, it’s basically risk-free.

My only concern regarding Medvi is that they have their compounded Tirzepatide priced higher than the industry average. You can get the same product from Josie or Willow for $100 per month less. I also noted that Medvi didn’t offer capsules, which are a good option for those who are fearful of using needles and injecting themselves. Again, Josie is a good option for those seeking tablets vs injections. 

Otherwise, I think Medvi is a solid option for compounded GLP-1s. As always, I am a big supporter of using GLP-1 medications as a tool for improving your health and body composition, as long as you understand the lifestyle habits that should accompany the medication. Specifically, strength training and protein help maintain your lean muscle mass so you can achieve a healthy weight, a thriving metabolism, and a strong body. If you need help with a supportive plan, I highly recommend coming to check out the Simply Strong App for a realistic and doable strength training plan and high-protein recipes that work for your life.