LifeMD Telehealth and Weight Loss: Real Facts and
Telehealth provider LifeMD provides patients nationwide with a range of services rivaling a traditional medical practice. Weight loss treatments include prescription brand-name GLP-1 medications; but other options include skin care, common illnesses, heart health, primary care, and more. You don’t need insurance, but it’s applicable to some treatments. Out-of-pocket costs for prescription GLP-1 medications are extremely competitive with other similar providers, and we found customer support to be excellent.
“We really focus on putting the patient first,” Dr. Anthony Puopolo, Chief Medical Officer at LifeMD, tells Woman’s World. “We make sure we provide great patient care with a human touch.”
And it seems as though patients are reporting positive outcomes. Since starting a GLP-1 through LifeMD, 32-year-old Julie C., tells Woman’s World that she’s seen a major shift in her health and well-being.
“I decided to give GLP-1s a try with LifeMD — I honestly felt like there was nothing else to do. But since losing the weight, my social anxiety has lessened,” she explains. “Since I lost the weight, my confidence has boosted significantly. I actually look forward to going out now.”
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LifeMD provides a personal, virtual experience
LifeMD, which operates in all 50 states, streamlines the online telehealth experience. After filling out a form, patients are connected with a licensed medical doctor or nurse practitioner, sometimes same-day, and if eligible, are written a prescription. Moving forward, patients can schedule on-demand video visits with their doctor, and can contact the LifeMD care team 24/7 through instant messaging. It’s also LegitScript-certified, which means it’s widely approved for legitimate online pharmacy sales and advertising.
“We strive to get to know the patient as more than just as a disease,” Dr. Puopolo explains. “For example, with weight management, we address more than just obesity with our success program. More in the realm of holistic and preventive treatment, treating the whole person, and trying to help them maintain their health to promote health optimization.”
Patient Alicia L. of Gulfport, MI, has lost 60 pounds on her weight loss journey with LifeMD. She credits her success to LifeMD’s personalized treatment plan: “I was originally on Semiglutide and I am currently on Tirzepatide,” she tells Woman’s World.
With the advice from my certified nurse on LifeMD, we were able to make necessary adjustments to help me as my weight loss progressed.
Nearly all tests are conducted from home
Lab work can be costly out-of-pocket. However, LifeMD offers patients the opportunity to take lab tests from home, or at local service centers. This can cost up to 95 percent less than it would be to test at a lab. If imaging is needed, patients can get a referral. When needed, LifeMD will then help the patient locate nearby x-ray facilities.
“Sometimes people need to be seen in person for their complaint, they need a physical exam — they need to a doctor has to lay hand on the patient and do real time testing,” Dr. Puopolo explains. “I think the perfect world for this snapshot of time is a hybrid model, for if you want to do comprehensive care.”
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There are many treatments available, and the prescription process is streamlined
LifeMD’s treatments
Women’s health
Men’s health
Primary care
Heart health
Skincare
Urgent care
COVID-19
Autoimmune care
The prescription process is streamlinedGoing through a doctor IRL and then relying on insurance for approval can result in long wait times for approval, and prescriptions — especially with GLP-1s. But LifeMD is quick and easy. After booking an appointment with one of LifeMD’s certified doctors, patients will have a consultation. They will receive a diagnosis, as well as necessary prescriptions, which can be sent to their home or local pharmacy. Moving forward, customers can take advantage of 24/7 care from the customer care team.
Customer care and customer service is easily accessible
LifeMDs care team is comprised of several medical doctors — some are primary, while others specialize in weight loss. And whenever patients need assistance, the customer care team is available 24/7. They can provide dietary advice and more. Of course, if it’s a medical emergency, patients should call 911 or go to their local hospital, as everything is done virtually.
“Although we embrace AI and using it in a targeted way to improve quality of care, we really try to limit it,” Dr. Puopolo explains. “We really value human interaction — relying on phone calls and real-time texting with a person. We strive to have the first visit the video and subsequent visits as needed, face-to-face.”
LifeMD patient Alicia L. needed to utilize customer support at one point — and she reported an overall very positive experience: “Customer service has been wonderful,” she tells Woman’s World. “We did have a hiccup with the care team over charging on my medication after I discussed with my nurse and what we had decided. When I spoke with her on my next appointment, she made sure the care team was aware of their mistake.”
LifeMD Customer service can easily be accessed by phoneWe called the customer service phone line in November 2024, and were quickly connected to an agent after less than 10 seconds of being on hold. In addition to being friendlythey were quite knowledgeable, and able to answer all of our questions regarding LifeMD’s offerings, customer care, and insurance requirements in a timely manner.
LifeMD Features and benefits
Everything is done virtually
LifeMD’s staff of doctors can diagnose and prescribe necessary medications
Wide range of weight loss and other medications are available
Customer care staff is always available
Costs vary, and insurance is allowed but not required
FlexCare $139 per visit TotalCare $117 every 3 months +$59 for each individual visit Concierge Care $99 per month LifeMD Weight Management Program $129 per month (minus medication cost)
Membership cost varies based on what you want
Unlike many telehealth providers, which offer consistent monthly charges, each membership at LifeMD is priced differently. FlexCare, which is basically for primary care, is free to join and comes with a prescription discount card. Visits cost $139 each and come with 90-day follow-ups.
TotalCare is a little more comprehensive — costing $117 per every three months, it includes free visits per 30 days, discounted lab tests and additional visits during each 30 days for $59. ConciergeCare is the same as TotalCare, but it costs $99 per month with free visits at any time, lab work and any referrals.
Finally, the LifeMD Weight Management Program is for anyone looking to go on a GLP-1 — for $129/month patients receive a prescription weight loss medication of choice along with lab testing and doctor’s appointments included. This price does not include the cost of the medication itself.
The cost of GLP-1s isn’t included with the LifeMD Weight Management ProgramLifeMD does not list the costs for actual GLP-1 medications like compounded semaglutide up front. We reached out to customer service about it, but they did not come forth with the prices of their offerings. However, forum users report prices in line with other online pharmacies, ranging from $89 introductory offers, to $299 for higher monthly dosages.
Insurance isn’t requiredLifeMD allows patients to use insurance for certain payments, but not for others. And insurance isn’t required to use any of it. For example, patients cannot use insurance for memberships (though memberships are HSA/FSA eligible). However, insurance can help pay for medical prescriptions and lab tests. Visits are almost always free.
The delivery process is easy
The delivery process for prescriptions is easy. LifeMD delivers all medications to patient’s homes, or to the patient’s preferred pharmacy. For testing, the company can send a nurse directly to the patient’s house to perform any labs or bloodwork. Patients can also be referred to a Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, or other convenient facilities.
Cancellations are permitted
Patients can cancel their LifeMD Weight Management Program Memberships at any time, but the “Program Costs” (including medical consultations, insurance and benefits verification, prior authorization management, and lab work) are non-refundable. The LifeMD Weight Management Program Membership Fee can be refundable, however, depending on the scenario.
Pros and cons:
Pros
Everything is virtual
Team of doctors are reliable and responsive
Almost all doctor’s visits are free
Different membership tiers allow patients to pay for what they want
Insurance can cover tests and meds, but it isn’t required
ConsMemberships cannot be covered by insurance
Nothing is in-person
Weight Management Program membership fees doesn’t include cost of GLP-1s
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LifeMD is reliable and priced fairly
Obtaining prescriptions (especially for GLP-1s) through LifeMD is quick and easy. Everything is done virtually, and patients can sign on to different types of memberships, depending on what they’re looking to get out of their experience. Each tier is priced fairly and it’s fixed, with no hidden fees. And the company only plans to expand its offerings moving forward.
“We expand slowly to make sure everyone’s on board and, that we’re doing a really good job,” Dr. Puopolo tells us. “We do plan to expand more and more as time goes on, which is super exciting.”
Woman’s World wants to hear YOUR experiences with LifeMD, or your experiences with prescription weight loss or telehealth in general. Email us at reviews@womansworld.com, we’d love to talk to you.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
FAQs
Is LifeMD legit?
The medical team at LifeMD includes a wide range of MDs, including primary and weight loss doctors. It's also LegitScript certified, which means it's considered safe by a team of medical experts.
Does LifeMD offer in-person visits?
LifeMD doesn't allow for in-person doctor's visits. However, for lab testing, the company can send a nurse to the patient's house. Or the patient can be referred to a lab.
Can LifeMD give referrals?
LifeMD can give patients referrals for different kinds of tests, imaging, specialty visits and more.
Can I reschedule my LifeMD appointment?
LifeMD offers same-day appointments, and allows patients to reschedule appointments if necessary.
Can I use insurance?
While insurance isn't required, it can be helpful while using LifeMD, particularly for testing and medications. Memberships are also HSA/FSA eligible.