Where Should You Start: PCP, Telehealth, Medspa — or Something Else?

When you're ready to begin your GLP-1 journey, one of the first decisions you’ll make is how to get your prescription. Maybe your primary care doctor mentioned it in passing. Maybe you saw a medspa ad on Instagram. Or maybe you're comparing flashy telehealth startups and wondering if they’re legit.

So, where do you start — and what’s actually best for your goals?

Let’s break down the main options:

👩‍⚕️ Primary Care Physician (PCP)

Best for: Long-term care, insurance coverage, and continuity with your existing provider.

✅ Pros

• Covered by insurance (if approved)

• Can manage related conditions (PCOS, prediabetes, etc.)
  
  

⚠️ Cons:

• May hesitate to prescribe GLP-1s for weight loss alone

• Long appointment wait times

• Usually requires prior authorization and documentation of comorbidities

💻 Telehealth Clinics

Best for: Convenience, online access, and support with branded meds.

✅ Pros:

• Fast onboarding and virtual appointments

• Willing to prescribe for weight loss goals alone

• Some manage prior authorizations for you

• Monthly subscription model simplifies costs

⚠️ Cons:

• Often not covered by insurance

• Some only prescribe branded meds (like Zepbound or Wegovy)

• Quality and follow-up care vary by platform

Popular examples: Ro, Found, Sequence, Calibrate

💉 Medspas & Weight Loss Clinics

Best for: Immediate access to compounded GLP-1s without insurance red tape.

✅ Pros:

• No insurance required or prior auth needed

• Faster access to meds (usually compounded tirzepatide or semaglutide) vs. name brand

• May offer same-day appointments

⚠️ Cons:

• Entirely cash-pay (prices vary widely)

• Less medical oversight

• Quality, dosing, and compounding standards can vary

🧪 Specialists & Direct-to-Pharmacy Providers (Bonus Option)

Best for: Complex cases or sourcing GLP-1s after getting a prescription.

✅ Options include:

• Endocrinologists/obesity specialists – great for PCOS, diabetes, or resistant cases

• Direct-to-consumer compounding clinics – you get evaluated and shipped meds without a traditional provider relationship

⚠️ Watch out for:

• Long waitlists for specialists

• Some compounding programs operate in a legal gray area — do your research

📦 And Where Do You Pick Up Your Meds?

Once prescribed, your medication might come from:

• Retail Pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens) – for insurance-covered branded meds

• Mail-Order Pharmacies – often used with telehealth or large health systems

• Compounding Pharmacies – meds prepared for you after evaluation by medspa or DTC service