A truly affordable weight loss program is finally here. Today, Sesame announced the launch of Success by Sesame: a clinically-comprehensive online weight loss program focused on holistic patient care and measurable results.
For just $249 per month, Success by Sesame includes a video assessment with a Sesame provider of the patient’s choice, labs, unlimited messaging, ongoing clinical oversight, and high-quality, pre-measured compounded semaglutide (with no retail price markup), plus free medication delivery. Compounded semaglutide was added to Sesame’s weight loss offering to help consumers safely access effective obesity treatment during the current shortage of brand-name GLP-1s.
Sesame’s $249 weight loss program is priced 35-45% less than other competing weight loss offerings, including Ro ($444 per month), hims ($399 per month), and many more. This pricing puts affordable weight loss within reach for the millions of Americans without insurance or with high deductibles who have previously been unable to access weight loss medications due to medication shortages and sky-high prices.
“Sesame has proven over five years that Americans do not have to sacrifice quality, convenience or access just to get an affordable price for their care,” said David Goldhill, Sesame‘s co-founder and CEO, and a serial author on American healthcare reform. “That’s why there’s no retail markup on compounded semaglutide sold through Sesame. Sesame is not a drug company, and we don’t profit from selling one medication over another.”
Some Success by Sesame patients, particularly those with insurance, may be prescribed name-brand GLP-1 medications (non-compounded) by their provider. For these patients, and those who do not need or qualify for a prescription, the program costs just $89 per month, excluding the price of the medication. This option includes the same level of comprehensive clinical oversight, along with prior authorization assistance for those who are prescribed brand-name medication.
How Success by Sesame works
| How It Works | Details |
|---|---|
| Complete a comprehensive intake form | First, patients will fill out a thorough intake form that covers medical and family history, as well as other factors that can influence body mass and overall health. |
| Choose a provider | After filling out the intake form, patients can select from a wide range of clinicians and read reviews ahead of booking, ensuring that each patient can find a provider who aligns with their personal needs and preferences. |
| Face-to-face consultation | The patient and provider meet for an initial video consultation to discuss goals and determine appropriate treatment. Most initial consultations happen within 24 hours. |
| Lab tests | If needed, the provider will order initial lab tests – either at a lab facility or at home – to establish if medication is right for the patient. |
| Guidance on diet, exercise and lifestyle | The provider will offer expert advice on necessary changes to diet, exercise and lifestyle. Patients will also receive access to a fitness, nutrition and mindfulness content library beginning in September. |
| Prescription for weight loss medication | If deemed clinically appropriate, the provider may prescribe medication, such as pre-measured, high-quality compounded semaglutide at cost. Some patients may receive prescriptions for name-brand GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda and Zepbound. |
| Monitoring and adjustments | Providers will closely monitor patients for side effects like nausea, and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. |
| Ongoing support from your provider | Patients can schedule face-to-face video consultations as needed and also have access to unlimited messaging. This continuous support helps patients stay on track. |
Why Success by Sesame is better than the rest
Sesame sets a new standard for affordability, quality and accessibility in clinical weight loss. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Low monthly price: Compounded weight loss medications prescribed through Sesame are offered to eligible patients at cost - no price markups or hidden fees (plus free and discreet home delivery for medication). And because Sesame’s marketplace removes insurance and other unnecessary middlemen from your care, there are no deductibles or out-of-network costs to worry about.
- Provider choice: Finding the right fit is important. Instead of being assigned a provider at random, Success by Sesame patients will have the ability to see provider reviews, ratings and more before choosing a board-certified clinician to support them on their weight loss journey.
- Easy-to-use medication: The compounded semaglutide medication available through Sesame comes in the form of 4 pre-filled, pre-measured syringes that are delivered each month. This helps patients to administer the medication comfortably and accurately, in contrast to other offerings that require patients to measure and administer their own dose from a vial of medicine. Compounded semaglutide prescribed on Sesame is prepared exclusively by a 503b compounding pharmacy vetted by Sesame.
- Clinical oversight from actual humans: Sesame’s weight loss offering includes real face-to-face video chats with your provider, lab work and unlimited messaging. This allows for comprehensive monitoring and ongoing guidance when it comes to diet, exercise, behaviors and more.
- Transparent prescribing practices: Sesame is not a pharmacy, which means that it has no financial incentive to prescribe one therapy over another. Instead, your providers will recommend whatever therapy is truly best for you on your weight loss journey.
- Accessibility: Data shows that the people who would benefit most from weight loss medications are also the people who struggle to access them due to sky-high prices. Without insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs for weight loss medications can range from $950 to $1,600 per month. At Sesame, we don’t think insurance status should impact your access to effective weight loss therapies. That’s why Sesame offers options for both uninsured and insured patients. Those without insurance can discuss compounded semaglutide with their provider, while those with insurance coverage can discuss pricing for non-compounded medications (and receive help with insurance paperwork to reduce the cost of medication if prescribed).
Why weight loss?
Sesame’s mission has been the same since day one: to build a marketplace that makes high-quality, affordable care easily accessible to the millions of Americans who are priced out of the traditional US healthcare system. We call it, “Pay Half, Be Whole,” healthcare.
"Sesame has proven over five years that Americans do not have to sacrifice quality, convenience or access just to get an affordable price for their care."
We believe that people should be able to get the care that they need regardless of insurance status – and that extends to the 73% of U.S. citizens who are overweight or obese. These conditions disproportionately affect lower-income people in the US – exactly the people who are in need of care but have limited health insurance coverage (or no insurance at all).
That’s why we created a financially accessible weight loss program that doesn’t require anyone to sacrifice high-quality, effective care for cost. Whole care, half price - just like our mission.
Looking to learn more about Success By Sesame? Visit our weight loss program page.
