What should I do in this situation? (Access to semaglutide)

[Anonymous]

I was on Ozempic for a while and lost weight but have gained it all back. I want to go back on it again and but my PCP wants to get the ok from a GI doctor before prescribing for various reasons. A previous GI doctor said Ozempic was OK for me to take, but this new PCP wants an updated OK. My insurance requires a step approach before prescribing and my appointment isn’t until the end of July with the GI doctor. I have to see the GI doctor regardless of whether I am going on Ozempic or not.

I am thinking about setting up an appointment with an online compounding pharmacy and just getting on it outside of insurance just so I can get started. Compounding will run around $300/month. Once insurance kicks in, Ozempic will be $25/month, if approved. If GI doc, etc. approves and I get through the step approach to get Ozempic, then I can start ordering through them, but I don’t know how it will work if I’m at a higher does through the compounding pharmacy.

I am planning on being on semaglutide for good this time. Do you think I should just wait and go through insurance and regular doctor channels or just get going with the online compounding pharmacies?

[Anonymous]

Depends on your budget and how badly the extra weight is bugging you..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on Ozempic for a while and lost weight but have gained it all back. I want to go back on it again and but my PCP wants to get the ok from a GI doctor before prescribing for various reasons. A previous GI doctor said Ozempic was OK for me to take, but this new PCP wants an updated OK. My insurance requires a step approach before prescribing and my appointment isn’t until the end of July with the GI doctor. I have to see the GI doctor regardless of whether I am going on Ozempic or not.

I am thinking about setting up an appointment with an online compounding pharmacy and just getting on it outside of insurance just so I can get started. Compounding will run around $300/month. Once insurance kicks in, Ozempic will be $25/month, if approved. If GI doc, etc. approves and I get through the step approach to get Ozempic, then I can start ordering through them, but I don’t know how it will work if I’m at a higher does through the compounding pharmacy.

I am planning on being on semaglutide for good this time. Do you think I should just wait and go through insurance and regular doctor channels or just get going with the online compounding pharmacies?

Is getting an internet prescription and acquiring the compound this easy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was on Ozempic for a while and lost weight but have gained it all back. I want to go back on it again and but my PCP wants to get the ok from a GI doctor before prescribing for various reasons. A previous GI doctor said Ozempic was OK for me to take, but this new PCP wants an updated OK. My insurance requires a step approach before prescribing and my appointment isn’t until the end of July with the GI doctor. I have to see the GI doctor regardless of whether I am going on Ozempic or not.

I am thinking about setting up an appointment with an online compounding pharmacy and just getting on it outside of insurance just so I can get started. Compounding will run around $300/month. Once insurance kicks in, Ozempic will be $25/month, if approved. If GI doc, etc. approves and I get through the step approach to get Ozempic, then I can start ordering through them, but I don’t know how it will work if I’m at a higher does through the compounding pharmacy.

I am planning on being on semaglutide for good this time. Do you think I should just wait and go through insurance and regular doctor channels or just get going with the online compounding pharmacies?

Is getting an internet prescription and acquiring the compound this easy?

I’ll find out. I’ve got an appointment scheduled on Henrymeds in a couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Just get cleared by the GI. Don't screw up your health

[Anonymous]

Can't you just ask the GI to send the PCP a letter now?

[Anonymous]

I had my annual physical with my pcp last week and she talked me into going on semaglutide. We talked about the problems with access, and she was adamant that I not use a compounding pharmacy for safety reasons. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just ask the GI to send the PCP a letter now?

This would be a new GI doc, not the previous one because I moved. It’s been over a year since I saw the last GI doc and he’s switched practices. I think it would be unlikely I could get him to send a letter for me. I would think he’d want to see me again, which I can’t do. It’s a mess, I know.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t bother going through the compound pharmacy. If you really want to get a headstart on the weight loss you can do intermittent fasting or calorie counting or whatever for a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t bother going through the compound pharmacy. If you really want to get a headstart on the weight loss you can do intermittent fasting or calorie counting or whatever for a few weeks.

And exercise.

[Anonymous]

Other telehealth providers include IVIM, Join Fridays and Mochi Health

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Other telehealth providers include IVIM, Join Fridays and Mochi Health

Are there any telehealth doctors that will prescribe the med and not sell the compound?