PlushCare vs Henry Meds: GLP-1 Programs Compared

PlushCare and Henry Meds take different approaches to GLP-1 access. PlushCare is a full-service primary care telehealth platform that prescribes GLP-1 medications as one of many clinical services. Henry Meds is a lean, dedicated GLP-1 and hormone therapy platform optimized for fast access and competitive long-term pricing. Here is how they compare.

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Quick Verdict

	PlushCare	Henry Meds
Monthly cost	$19/month membership + ~$30 visit + medication separately	$149/month (includes compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide)
Best for	Patients wanting primary care + GLP-1 from one provider; insurance users	Patients wanting dedicated GLP-1 at lowest ongoing cash-pay price
Insurance accepted	Yes — key differentiator	No
Medication	Brand-name via insurance or compounded via telehealth	Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide
Tirzepatide	Limited (brand-name via insurance; limited compounded)	Yes (compounded)
Start time	~5–10 days	~4–7 days
Primary care services	Full — ongoing PCP relationship	No — GLP-1 focused only

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The Model Difference

PlushCare: A subscription telehealth platform offering primary care, urgent care, and specialist consultations. GLP-1 medications are prescribed within this broader clinical relationship. PlushCare accepts most major insurance plans and can prescribe brand-name GLP-1 medications (Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound) with insurance authorization.

Henry Meds: Built exclusively for GLP-1 medications and testosterone replacement therapy. No insurance accepted — the model is optimized for low-cost cash-pay access. The clinical team is focused on GLP-1 protocols; the platform handles medication sourcing through 503B compounding pharmacies.

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Cost Breakdown

PlushCare

Component	Cost
Monthly membership	$19/month
Per-visit fee	~$30/visit (with membership)
Brand-name GLP-1 (with insurance)	Insurance copay (~$0–$50 with savings card)
Compounded semaglutide (no insurance)	Separate pharmacy cost (~$100–$150/month)
Annual estimate (insurance + low copay)	~$588/year ($19 × 12 + $300 medication + visits)
Annual estimate (no insurance, compounded)	~$1,800–$2,400/year

Henry Meds

Component	Cost
Monthly fee (includes medication)	$149/month (months 1–6)
Monthly fee after 6 months	$129/month
Annual (first year)	~$1,788
Annual (after first year)	~$1,548

Cost verdict: If PlushCare successfully gets insurance-covered brand-name GLP-1 with a low copay, PlushCare is cheaper. For cash-pay patients, Henry Meds at $129/month (after 6 months) is the lower long-term cost.

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Insurance: PlushCare's Key Advantage

PlushCare accepts most major insurance plans and can:

• Submit prior authorizations for Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Mounjaro
• Work within your existing insurance relationship
• Coordinate with your pharmacy benefit for brand-name dispensing
• Manage coverage appeals if needed

Henry Meds does not accept insurance. For patients with insurance that covers GLP-1 medications, PlushCare opens the brand-name pathway; Henry Meds does not.

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Primary Care Integration: PlushCare's Broader Value

PlushCare functions as a primary care provider. For patients who need:

• Ongoing primary care management
• Lab work and metabolic monitoring
• Management of comorbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid)
• GLP-1 prescribed within a broader clinical relationship

...PlushCare's value extends well beyond GLP-1 alone. The $19/month membership + per-visit fees covers primary care needs that would otherwise require separate appointments.

Henry Meds does not offer primary care — if you need management of comorbidities or general health issues, you'll need a separate primary care relationship.

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Medication Options

Medication	PlushCare	Henry Meds
Brand-name Ozempic	Yes (via insurance)	No
Brand-name Wegovy	Yes (via insurance)	No
Brand-name Zepbound	Yes (via insurance)	No
Compounded semaglutide	Limited	Yes
Compounded tirzepatide	Limited	Yes

Henry Meds has clearer access to compounded tirzepatide for cash-pay patients. PlushCare's tirzepatide access is primarily brand-name Zepbound through insurance.

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Head-to-Head: Who Should Choose Which

Choose PlushCare if:

• You have insurance that may cover GLP-1 medications
• You want a primary care relationship alongside GLP-1 management
• You need other telehealth services (urgent care, ongoing conditions)
• You want brand-name medication via insurance
• You're comfortable coordinating your own pharmacy

Choose Henry Meds if:

• You're paying cash and want the lowest long-term monthly cost
• Tirzepatide at cash-pay pricing is your preference
• You want a dedicated GLP-1 platform focused exclusively on that treatment
• Speed to first dose matters ($4–7 days)
• You don't need primary care services bundled

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Alternatives to Consider

Provider	Why Consider	Monthly Cost
Ro	Fast, all-in, tirzepatide, no insurance	$149
Sequence	Insurance navigation specialist	~$99 + medication
FORM Health	Specialist care + insurance	$149+
Sesame	Per-visit marketplace; can use any pharmacy	~$99–$175

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Related Resources

• Best GLP-1 Without Insurance — cash-pay platforms ranked
• Best GLP-1 with Insurance — insurance navigation platforms
• PlushCare vs Sesame — another PlushCare comparison
• Best GLP-1 Fast Start — fastest path to first dose
• Henry Meds vs Hims — Henry Meds vs another dedicated GLP-1 platform