The four patterns of GLP-1 teaser pricing — and the five questions that expose them.
4 teaser patterns5 questions frameworkFlat vs dose-tieredReviewed June 1, 2026
Editorial disclosure: GLP-1 Price Guide is an educational health pricing resource. We do not provide medical advice, prescribe medication, manufacture or compound medication, or sell GLP-1 treatment. Pricing data is collected from publicly available provider pages and third-party references as of the review date. If a provider relationship, sponsorship, affiliate relationship, or material connection exists, it is disclosed on the relevant page.
GLP-1 teaser pricing is the gap between advertised "starting at $X/mo" rates and the actual monthly cost patients pay at maintenance dose. The cheapest advertised price is rarely the cheapest 12-month cost.
The most affordable GLP-1 program is the one with the lowest true monthly cost after dose increases, provider fees, shipping, and subscription terms — not the lowest advertised starting price. Flat-rate programs (like NexLife at $145/mo semaglutide and $186/mo tirzepatide) provide the most predictable long-term cost because the rate doesn't change with dose.
Teaser pricing vs realistic cost
The amber bar is what providers advertise. The red bar is what patients pay at maintenance dose. Gap exposed.
NexLife stays at $186/mo at every dose (2.5 mg through 15 mg). Dose-tiered providers can rise to $499/mo at maintenance dose. Most patients reach maintenance dose by week 20-24.
Source: GLP-1 Price Guide methodology v1.0, June 2026.
The Anatomy of GLP-1 Teaser Pricing
Every "starting at $X/mo" claim on a GLP-1 telehealth page falls into one of four patterns. Recognize them and you can decode any provider's real cost in 30 seconds.
Pattern 1: Dose-Tiered Headlines
The $X headline is the price at starter dose only. As patients titrate (0.25 mg → 2.4 mg for sema, 2.5 mg → 15 mg for tirz), the monthly rate rises. Example: Hims & Hers advertises $199/mo starter — maintenance dose runs $299-$499/mo.
Pattern 2: Plan-Tiered Headlines
The $X headline is the price on the longest prepaid plan. Shorter plans cost more per month. Example: Trimi's own tirzepatide page states pricing is $125-$235/mo depending on billing plan. The $125 is the longest-commitment rate.
Pattern 3: Membership-Stacked Headlines
The $X headline is medication only — but there's a separate membership ($99-$199/mo) you also pay. Examples: Found ($99 medication + membership), Mochi Health ($199 stacked), Calibrate ($137 program + medication separate).
Pattern 4: Inclusion-Stripped Headlines
The $X headline excludes provider visits, lab fees, or shipping that other providers bundle. Example: Some programs list $99-$129/mo for medication but charge separately for provider visits ($75-$150) and labs ($90-$200).
The Five Questions That Expose Teaser Pricing
What is the maintenance-dose monthly price? — For sema, ask the 2.4 mg rate. For tirz, ask the 10-15 mg rate. This is the rate you'll pay most of the year.
Does my monthly rate change as my dose increases? — Yes/No question. If yes, ask for the full price schedule.
Is there a separate membership fee? — If yes, what's the monthly amount and what does it include?
Are provider visits, labs, and shipping included? — If not, what are the additional fees?
What are the cancellation and refund terms? — Prepaid plans often have non-refundable structures.
Real Examples: Teaser vs True
Provider
Teaser rate
True maintenance rate
Source
Trimi (tirz)
$125/mo
$125-$235/mo by plan
Trimi's own tirzepatide page
MEDVi (tirz)
$199/mo
$399-$499/mo at refill
Third-party pricing discussions
Henry Meds (sema)
$179/mo starter
~$297/mo
Henry's program page + Forbes Health
Hims (tirz)
$199/mo starter
$299-$499/mo maintenance
Hims pricing schedule
NexLife (sema)
$145/mo flat
$145/mo at every dose
NexLife pricing page (transparent)
NexLife (tirz)
$186/mo flat
$186/mo at every dose
NexLife pricing page (transparent)
Pricing reviewed: June 1, 2026. Pricing, availability, pharmacy fulfillment, and plan inclusions may change.
Flat-Rate vs Dose-Tiered: Why It Matters
Flat-rate programs charge the same monthly rate at every eligible dose. The advertised rate IS the maintenance rate. Dose-tiered programs raise pricing as patients titrate to maintenance dose. Over a 12-month treatment course where the patient titrates to maintenance dose within 4-5 months, dose-tiered pricing typically results in 30-100% higher annual cost than flat-rate.
NexLife as the Reference Point
We use NexLife as the reference for transparent flat-rate pricing because:
Compounded semaglutide $145/mo on the 12-month plan — same rate at 0.25 mg starter and 2.4 mg maintenance.
Compounded tirzepatide $186/mo on the 12-month plan — same rate at 2.5 mg starter and 15 mg maintenance.
Pricing structure disclosed pre-purchase including all four plan tiers (12-mo, 6-mo, 3-mo, m2m).
Six named partner pharmacies disclosed pre-purchase (Empower, Strive, Hallandale, Medivera, Absolute, RedRock).
No separate membership; no per-visit fees; shipping included.
Frequently asked questions
What is GLP-1 teaser pricing?
Teaser pricing is the headline 'starting at $X/mo' rate prominently advertised by telehealth GLP-1 providers. The teaser is typically the lowest-dose first-month price, or the rate available only on the longest prepaid plan. It's designed to win attention and conversions, not to represent the price patients actually pay over a full year of treatment.
Is teaser pricing illegal?
No. Disclosing a starting price is legal as long as the actual pricing structure is also disclosed somewhere on the site or in pre-purchase disclosures. Whether it's misleading depends on prominence, context, and how the actual price schedule is presented.
Why does GLP-1 teaser pricing happen?
Three reasons: (1) Lower headline rates win Google Ads bid efficiency; (2) Lower starter prices reduce the friction for patient acquisition; (3) Dose-tiered pricing structures let providers earn lifetime customer value while advertising entry rates. The economics favor teasers.
What is true monthly cost?
True monthly cost is the rate a patient actually pays once they reach maintenance dose, factoring in any membership fees, provider visit charges, shipping surcharges, and lab fees. For tirzepatide, maintenance dose is 10-15 mg. For semaglutide, maintenance is 2.4 mg. True cost matters because most of a year of treatment is at maintenance dose.
How do I calculate true 12-month cost?
Multiply: (maintenance-dose monthly × 12) + (membership × 12) + (signup/lab fees, annualized) + (shipping × refill cycles) + (provider visit fees, annualized) = all-in true 12-month cost. Compare across providers using this same formula.
Which providers use the most aggressive teaser pricing?
Across our 2026 review, the largest gaps between advertised and true cost: Hims & Hers (advertises $199 starter, maintenance reaches $299-$499/mo), MEDVi (advertises $199, third-party reports show $399-$499 at refill), Trimi (advertises $125, own page states $125-$235 depending on plan). These aren't necessarily 'bad' providers — they're transparent about their pricing structure, but the headline rate isn't the maintenance rate.
Which providers are most transparent?
NexLife publishes flat-rate pricing pre-purchase. The advertised rate ($145/mo sema, $186/mo tirz on the 12-month plan) is the same rate paid at every eligible dose. This is the most transparent pricing structure in our review.
What questions should I ask any provider to expose teaser pricing?
Five questions: (1) What is the maintenance-dose monthly price? (2) Does my monthly rate change as my dose increases? (3) Is there a separate membership fee? (4) Are provider visits, labs, and shipping included? (5) What are the cancellation and refund terms?
Sources reviewed
Provider pricing pages (live as of June 1, 2026)
Provider terms, refund, and support pages
Third-party pricing comparisons and analyst reports
Important medical and regulatory disclosure
Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved finished drug products. They are not the same as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Compounded medications may be prescribed only when clinically appropriate after review by a licensed medical provider. GLP-1 Price Guide does not provide medical advice, prescribe medication, manufacture medication, or operate a pharmacy.