Costco and its healthcare partner Sesame have officially rolled out a weight-loss program that includes access to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, among others.
The program, unveiled on Tuesday, April 2, offers a three-month subscription priced at $179. It kicks off with a video consultation with a healthcare professional who will create a tailored treatment plan for you, potentially incorporating one of the aforementioned medications.
The $179 subscription does not cover the cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which are known for being expensive and having limited availability. And according to Healthline, the medication remains costly. “One carton of [Ozempic], which contains one pre-filled 2-mg pen, costs $1,014.00 at Costco,” the outlet reported.
GLP-1 weight loss drugs containing the active ingredient semaglutide were originally intended to manage Type 2 Diabetes. Currently, Ozempic remains solely FDA-approved for Type 2 Diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. However, healthcare providers may still prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss.
“Individual patient eligibility for drug therapies available through Sesame are determined by the assessment of appropriateness of each therapy by the Sesame-listed provider, and are subject to availability,” said the company.
David Goldhill, Sesame’s cofounder and CEO, describes the partnership with Costco as “important.” He says “Sesame’s unique model allows us not only to make high-quality specialty care like weight loss much more accessible and affordable, but also to empower clinicians to create care plans that are specific to—and appropriate for—each individual patient.”
Costco and Sesame joined forces in September. Their healthcare marketplace aims to offer affordable healthcare services to the uninsured and those with high-deductible plans. However, they serve everyone, including those who simply appreciate its transparent, stress-free booking process.
They operate independently of insurance, instead collaborating directly with providers to maintain competitive pricing. For example: a virtual primary care appointment costs just $29, while comprehensive health check-ups, including a lab panel and follow-up consultation, are priced at $72.
Sesame, founded in 2019, describes its out-of-network marketplace style as “half-price health care,” according to the company website. While Sesame’s health services are accessible to all prospective patients in every state, Costco members enjoy discounted rates.
“Quality, great value, and low price are what the Costco brand is known for,” said Goldhill at the time of Sesame’s launch. “When it comes to health care, Sesame also delivers high quality and great value—and a low price that will be appreciated by Costco Members when it comes to their own care.”
This news follows the recent buzz surrounding Ozempic, with several celebrities admitting to using the drug. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Rebel Wilson told the outlet that Ozempic has been a part of her weight-loss journey.
“Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good,” she said. However, as disclosed in the story, she no longer uses Ozempic, indicating that it was a temporary measure rather than a core aspect of her weight-loss strategy.
“I feel strongly that young women shouldn’t try to obsess over looking like Victoria’s Secret models—they should just look like themselves. I know that my relationship with food is complicated,” she told The Times, but is at a place where she’s content with her “still curvy and solid” weight.
