What costs should I expect as part of the weight management program?
The total cost of treatment may include provider visits, prescription medication, and laboratory testing. Not all patients will require all services listed below.
How long should I expect to be on a weight management program?
Length of weight management programs can vary based on individual needs and goals, but often active weight loss happens over a 3 to 6 month period. After this period of active weight loss, the focus is on maintenance of desired weight through continued dietary changes and physical activity, and in some cases ongoing lower dosage maintenance medications.
How much do weight management medications cost?
The cost of medications varies based on the medication prescribed, insurance coverage, pharmacy selection, and manufacturer savings programs. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications are: Orlistat, Liraglutide, Naltrexone/Bupropion, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Orforglipron.
Patients may be eligible to obtain medications through compounding pharmacies, programs such as LillyDirect®, manufacturer savings cards, or insurance coverage.
Estimated medication costs:
- Insurance-covered medications: Cost varies based on your insurance plan, deductible, and copay. You should contact your insurance directly for plan specific information.
- Manufacturer savings programs/coupons: Eligible patients may pay reduced out-of-pocket costs.
- Medications through compound pharmacies: Costs vary by medication and availability.
- Self-pay brand-name GLP-1 medications: Costs vary by medication and pharmacy and may range from several hundred to over $1,000 per month.
How much do provider visits cost?
Patients are required to complete an initial evaluation and follow-up visits approximately every 1-3 months while participating in the program.
Self-pay pricing:
- Initial visit: $159
- Follow-up visits: $79 per visit
Insurance patients:
- If covered, visits may be billed through your insurance.
- You are responsible for any applicable copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or other patient responsibility amounts.
Will I need laboratory testing?
Laboratory testing may be recommended before starting treatment and periodically during treatment to monitor your health and medication safety.
Common laboratory tests may include:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Lipid Panel
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Self-pay laboratory pricing (Quest Diagnostics negotiated rates):
- CMP: $3.36
- Hemoglobin A1c: $8.16
- Lipid Panel: $6.86
- TSH: $7.89
- Lab Draw Fee: $8.10
Estimated cost for all four tests: $34.37*
Insurance patients:
- Laboratory testing may be billed to your insurance. You should contact your insurance directly for plan specific information.
- You are responsible for any applicable copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or other patient responsibility amounts.
Are supplements required?
No dietary supplements, meal replacements, vitamins, or other products are required to participate in the program.
A healthcare provider may recommend supplements based on your individual health needs, but such products are optional unless specifically prescribed or medically indicated. Common supplements are fiber and multivitamins. If a supplement is recommended, please contact a local retailer directly for pricing information.
Will I need any additional products, services, examinations, or testing?
Additional products, services, examinations, or laboratory testing may be recommended based on your individual medical history, symptoms, or treatment response.
Examples may include:
- Additional laboratory testing: Based on individual medical history
- Additional primary care visits: Cost of Primary care visits at FOLX are the same as outlined above
- Specialist consultations: If applicable, will refer outside of FOLX and cost will vary
- Nutritional counseling: If applicable, will refer outside of FOLX and cost will vary
- Behavioral health services: Individual therapy available in some states through FOLX, self-pay = $139, or insurance co-pay, co-insurance, and deductibles may apply.
The cost of any additional services will vary depending on the provider, facility, insurance coverage, and clinical need.
Are all of these costs required?
No. The services, medications, and laboratory tests recommended for you will depend on your individual medical needs and treatment plan. Your healthcare provider will discuss recommended services with you during your visit.
Summary of Potential Costs
| Service | Estimated Cost |
| Initial provider visit (self-pay) | $159 |
| Follow-up visit (self-pay, every ~1-3 months) | $79 |
| Lab Draw Fee | $8.10* |
| CMP | $3.36* |
| Hemoglobin A1c | $8.16* |
| TSH | $7.89* |
| Lipid Panel | $6.86* |
| GLP-1 medication | Varies based on insurance, pharmacy, and manufacturer savings programs |
Insurance-covered patients are responsible for any applicable copays, deductibles, coinsurance, or other patient responsibility amounts.
*Note that lab rates are an estimate and are only applicable for these specific lab tests when utilizing FOLX rates at a Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center in Florida. Lab rates are subject to change.
Weight Loss Bill of Rights
(A) Warning: Rapid weight loss may cause serious health problems. Rapid weight loss is weight loss of more than 1½ pounds to 2 pounds per week, or weight loss of more than 1 percent of body weight per week after the second week of participation in a weight-loss program.
(B) Consult your personal physician before starting any weight-loss program.
(C) Only permanent lifestyle changes, such as making healthful food choices and increasing physical activity, promote long-term weight loss.
(D) Qualifications of this provider are available upon request.
(E) You have a right to:
- Ask questions about the potential health risks of this program and its nutritional content, psychological support, and educational components.
- Receive an itemized statement of the actual or estimated price of the weight-loss program, including extra products, services, supplements, examinations, and laboratory tests.
- Know the actual or estimated duration of the program.
- Know the name, address, and qualifications of the dietitian or nutritionist who has reviewed and approved the weight-loss program according to s. 468.505(1)(j), Florida Statutes.
Related to