Struggling with stubborn weight, constant hunger, or blood sugar fluctuations that sabotage your diet plans? The Ro Body Program aims to provide insurance-savvy, physician-led weight care with comprehensive support. Ro is a direct-to-consumer (DTC), membership-based telehealth platform that offers access to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications as part of a comprehensive weight loss program.
Overview of Ro
Ro, formerly known as Roman, is a telehealth platform established in 2017, offering a range of products and services designed to address various health concerns such as sexual health, weight loss, fertility, skincare, and hair loss. The company's mission is to provide access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.
What is the Ro Body Program?
Weight loss treatment with Ro is part of the Ro Body program, which requires a monthly membership fee plus the cost of GLP-1 medications. The Ro Body Program delivers insurance-savvy, physician-led weight care with robust support. However, if you prefer straightforward cash pricing on compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, Ro Body may not be your first choice. The Ro Body Program is Ro’s weight loss program. The company claims the program can help you lose an average of 15% to 20% of your body weight within 12 months. This digital health platform offers a range of prescription medications, OTC products, and at-home testing kits designed to support fertility, skin and hair health, sexual wellness, and weight management.
GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone naturally produced by the intestines in response to eating, glucagon-like peptide-1. In addition to preventing blood sugar spikes, these medications reduce appetite and increase satiety (feelings of fullness) after a meal. They also slow down the passage of food through the digestive tract.
Ro prescribes brand-name GLP-1s including Wegovy (semaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide). If insurance won’t cover these, a compounded version of semaglutide may be offered. Ro currently doesn’t offer non-injectable options like Rybelsus (oral tablet), lozenges, or drops.
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Several GLP-1 medications have FDA approval for weight loss: Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda. Ro offers all of these in addition to Ozempic. While Ozempic only has approval for treating type 2 diabetes, doctors can also sometimes prescribe it off-label for weight loss.
How Ro Works
Ro brings all that together into one streamlined app, from your first provider consult and lab work to prescriptions, insurance support, and even coaching. The Ro Body Program is one of the most complete GLP-1 options online, especially for those who want support, structure, and real prescriptions without the in-person hassle.
Getting Started
Getting started with Ro depends on what type of products and services you’re looking for. OTC products, such as the brand’s hair loss shampoo and multivitamins, can be purchased outright. However, most concerns first require an online visit with a healthcare professional. They’ll walk through your medical history and listen to what you’re experiencing. Afterward, they’ll develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include writing a prescription if they feel it’s necessary.
Complete a Health History Questionnaire: New members are prompted to complete a brief online survey covering their goals (like weight loss, improved health or increased confidence), height and weight and other basic health details, as well as provide current insurance coverage information. Complete an online intake form with your medical history, weight challenges, and health goals.
Undergo Provider Review and Eligibility Approval: The health information gathered in the survey is reviewed by a Ro-affiliated provider (M.D. or nurse practitioner) to determine your eligibility for a GLP-1 prescription. A Ro-affiliated provider reviews your answers and decides if lab work is needed to move forward.
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Lab Testing: A provider will review your information and determine whether lab work is needed. If lab work is ordered, you can complete it through Quest Diagnostics for free or with an in-home test kit. Lab results confirm eligibility and may be required for insurance approval as well. Note: It is recommended in-person lab work because at-home options often result in varying degrees of accuracy. If testing is ordered, you can visit any Quest location for free. Prefer to test at home? Ro offers a $75 blood collection kit or ships one free if you’re in a state where Quest isn’t available.
Confirm Approval and Receive Prescription: A prescription for Zepbound, Wegovy or Ozempic may be provided. Once approved, your provider customizes a treatment plan based on your lab results, side effect tolerance, and insurance status.
Verify Insurance Coverage: Ro will work with your insurance company to verify your benefits, which may take several weeks. Ro’s concierge team handles prior authorization and paperwork.
Filling the Prescription: To qualify for Wegovy or Zepbound through Ro, you must have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 (obesity), or a BMI over 27 (overweight) and at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Once your medication ships, the $145/month membership begins for ongoing treatment support, following your $45 only first month. If you’re prescribed Zepbound vials or paying cash for Wegovy through Ro’s partner pharmacy, NovoCare, your medication usually ships within 1-4 days.
Start Treatment: Once prescribed, your medication is shipped directly to your home, typically within 1-4 days. For certain treatments, such as brand-name GLP-1 pens, you may also have the option to pick your meds up locally at a pharmacy.
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Ongoing Support: The subscription includes provider messaging, lab monitoring, refills, and weekly coaching to help you lose the weight and keep it off. From initial labs to weekly follow-ups, treatment plans are adjusted based on your biology, medication response, and side effect profile.
Treatment Options
Ro offers several GLP-1 options for weight loss, including weekly injectables like Wegovy (semaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Ro offers more structure than most clinics, with labs, coaching, and insurance support included.
- Weekly brand-name GLP-1 injections: Wegovy® (semaglutide), Ozempic® (semaglutide), Zepbound® (tirzepatide)
- Daily injections: Saxenda® (liraglutide)
- Compounded GLP-1 injections: semaglutide (availability limited; not FDA approved)
- Additional support: Weekly coaching, nutrition guidance, and app-based progress tracking
Ro Partners with Eli Lilly to Improve Access to Zepbound
Ro has partnered with Zepbound manufacturer Eli Lilly to offer access to Zepbound single-dose vials. People may be able to pay for these out of pocket at a lower price than the injector pens. According to the company, people will be able to get single-dose vials with a prescription from a Ro-affiliated healthcare professional. It will include integration with Eli Lilly’s self-pay pharmacy channel, called LillyDirect.
What’s Included in Ro’s GLP-1?
Ro’s Body Program bundles most of the essentials into its membership, with medications billed separately. Here’s what’s covered:
- Initial telehealth consultation with a licensed provider
- Lab testing (Quest Diagnostics or at-home kit if needed)
- Provides insurance support for brand-name prescriptions
- App-based support for nutrition, lifestyle, and progress tracking
- Personalized GLP-1 treatment plan with dose adjustments
- Unlimited messaging with providers
- Monthly prescription renewals and dose adjustments
- Weekly health coaching
- Board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners oversee care, with support from registered dietitians and health coaches
What’s Not Included?
Here’s what you won’t find built into Ro’s Body Program: Medication costs. If you want structured care with labs, coaching, and insurance navigation, Ro is a strong choice. Partner pharmacies are channeled through NovoCare and LillyDirect, except in the case of compounded semaglutide, which is sourced from licensed pharmacies that follow USP standards.
Ro Pricing
Ro’s weight-loss program keeps pricing fairly straightforward, but it’s important to know that medications are billed separately. The one exception is the Ro Body Program, which pairs weight loss medications with a curriculum that promotes healthy habits. Your journey starts with an online intake reviewed by a licensed provider. This is covered by your $45 first month’s membership fee, which also includes lab testing if ordered.
- Initial blood work: Included with membership. If your provider requests lab testing, you can visit any Quest location for free. Prefer to test at home?
- Monthly subscriptions: $145/month (first month $45). This monthly fee covers everything except medication.
- With insurance: Ro accepts insurance for medication, not for the membership fee. Note that copays vary by plan. If these are unaffordable, Ro may prescribe compounded semaglutide instead. This starts at $199/month and is cash-pay only.
Ro’s system is straightforward and supportive, but since medications aren’t bundled, costs can add up quickly. It’s best for patients who want structured, ongoing guidance rather than a simple prescription-only model.
Monthly medication costs:
- With insurance: price depends on your insurance copay
- Without insurance:
- Ozempic: $900-$1000
- Wegovy: $1349, or $499 through NovoCare
- Zepbound: $349-$499
- Saxenda: ~$1,300-$1,800
- Compounded semaglutide: $199
Lab Testing: What Gets Measured and Why It Matters
Before prescribing a GLP-1 medication, your Ro provider may order lab work to assess your overall metabolic health and rule out anything that could complicate treatment. These labs are usually done once at the beginning of the program. You can test for free at a Quest location or order a $75 at-home kit.
Here’s what you can expect the lab work to assess:
- Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): shows average blood sugar levels over 2-3 months
- Cholesterol (HDL, LDL, triglycerides): establishes heart health baselines
- TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone): screens for thyroid issues that can affect weight or energy
- Creatinine and BUN: confirms kidney function is healthy
- Complete blood count (CBC): flags infection, inflammation, or other systemic issues
In some cases, Ro requires initial lab testing before starting treatment. Follow-ups are also ordered at your provider’s discretion, often at the 3-6-month mark to check progress, monitor side effects, or adjust dosage.
Is Ro Right for You?
Ro is a great fit for adults who want a convenient and comprehensive approach to weight loss. Ro’s Body Program offers strong value for those seeking medical legitimacy and minimal friction. Ro makes things easy where it matters most: lab testing is included, insurance support is built in, and there’s no long-term commitment.
Who Is Ro Best For?
Ro is a great fit for adults who want a convenient and comprehensive approach to weight loss. Ro bundles intake, labs, prescriptions, and coaching into one app-based program. This makes it ideal for busy people who want real clinical care without extra appointments. It’s especially helpful for first-time GLP-1 users. Ro’s structured onboarding and education-based curriculum guides you step by step through dose changes, side effects, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Because Ro includes insurance concierge support, it’s ideal for patients looking for brand-name coverage. Ro’s team manages insurance approvals for Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Saxenda. If coverage is denied, it can offer compounded semaglutide as a cash-pay alternative, though it isn’t FDA approved and isn’t available in every state.
Ro is also well-suited for people who value personalized, provider-led care. Your treatment plan is personalized and adjusted over time based on your lab results, medication response, and side effects, so it is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Finally, Ro adds accountability with ongoing coaching. This ongoing support helps patients build better nutrition, sleep, and exercise habits, making it easier to turn short-term results into long-term success.
🚫 Who Is Ro Not For?
Ro is not the right choice for those who can’t or don’t want to use injections. It does not offer oral GLP-1s like Rybelsus®, so patients looking for non-injectable options will need to consider other providers, like Shed. Because medications are billed separately, Ro may not be ideal for patients expecting an all-inclusive plan. The $145/month membership, which is higher than some of our other favorites, covers provider access, labs, and coaching, but brand-name GLP-1s can cost hundreds of dollars without insurance.
Lastly, Ro may not suit those who want immediate access to treatment. Insurance approvals for brand-name GLP-1s sometimes take several weeks.
Ro is not a replacement for a visit with a primary care doctor or healthcare team. Instead, it aims to provide complementary services to better support your health needs at home. If you haven’t visited a healthcare professional in the last three years, Ro is probably not a good fit.
How Does Ro Compare to Other Clinics?
When weighing Ro against competitors, here’s how things shake out:
| Clinic | Best for | Monthly cost | Treatment types | Lab testing | Add-ons | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ro Body Program | Medically backed weight loss with convenience | $145 (meds not included) | • Ozempic• Wegovy• Zepbound• Saxenda •Compounded semaglutide | Included ($75 for at-home test) | None | Yes |
| ShedRx | Affordable, flexible GLP-1 care | From $199 | •Compounded semaglutide•Compounded tirzepatide | Not included | Optional coaching ($70) | No |
| Found | Users wanting guidance and support | From $129 | • Brand-name GLP-1s•Compounded semaglutide | Not included | None | Yes |
| Henry Meds | Quick-start care with med flexibility | From $149 | •Compounded semaglutide •Compounded tirzepatide •Compounded liraglutide | Included | None | No |
| Calibrate | Long-term results with structured coaching | $199(3-month minimum) | Brand-name GLP-1s | Not included | None | Yes |
| WeightWatchers | Behavior-led approach | $74 | Brand-name GLP-1s | Included | None | Yes |
Alternatives to Ro
Several other telehealth platforms offer products and services similar to Ro’s.
- Hims and Hers: Offering support for sexual health, mental health, skin care, hair loss, and weight loss, Hims is a telehealth service that caters specifically to men. Its sister site, Hers, offers similar services that cater to women. As with Ro, online visits are free, and prices vary for specific medications and products.
- PlushCare: PlushCare is a membership-based service that can connect you to a doctor to address concerns related to primary care, mental health, or weight loss. It’s one of the few telehealth services that is in-network with many major insurance plans, and it provides affordable self-pay options for those without insurance.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Ro has mixed reviews online. Ro’s Body Program offers strong value for those seeking medical legitimacy and minimal friction. Overall, customers praise Ro for its attentive doctors and responsive support team. Customers also highlight the high-quality care and customer service as the standout feature, often recommending the program to friends and family.
However, our tester’s experience and customer reviews of the platform were mixed due to issues with pricing transparency, lack of provider oversight and customer support issues. According to Forbes Health’s Consumer Sentiment Index, most user reviews pointed to negative experiences with Ro. On TrustPilot, Ro received 2,308 reviews and an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. Satisfied customers highlighted the speed and convenience of signing up, the ease of getting approved for medications, discreet packaging and fast shipping.
As our tester emphasized, the service provided little clinical guidance. Follow-ups consisted of a series of basic, asynchronous questions that lacked personalization.
Positive Feedback
Happy customers frequently mention:
- The service’s convenience and affordability
- A professional and responsive customer service team
- Thorough healthcare professionals
- Discreet product packaging
Negative Feedback
On the other hand, Ro complaints and less favorable reviews mention:
- Dissatisfaction with the company’s return policy
- Problems with deliveries
- Difficulty canceling recurring subscriptions
- Instances of being billed twice in the same month
- A lack of clear communication, especially after initial consultations
Some patients noted that Ro’s pricing structure can be confusing, with unclear distinctions between membership fees and medication costs, which left them uncertain about the total expense.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While GLP-1s have proven effective for weight loss and maintenance, they are not without risks. “There are also risks for pancreatitis and gallbladder issues with these medications, which is why I counsel patients on how to use them safely,” says Dr. Maren. GLP-1s can also cause sudden kidney injury caused by a reduction in blood flow to the kidneys that diminishes kidney function, especially in individuals experiencing dehydration from side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dr. Maren expresses concern about the lack of professional oversight with online platforms like Ro.
A Note on Compounded Meds
Ro offers compounded semaglutide in some states, but these products are not FDA approved and may vary in formulation or purity. The FDA has issued warnings about compounded GLP-1s because some contain salt forms (e.g., semaglutide sodium or acetate) that differ from the approved drug, and quality control can vary across compounding pharmacies. Compounded semaglutide is generally considered only when FDA-approved products are unavailable.