You've done the research. You've priced three or four programs. You've narrowed it down to two. It's 10:30 at night, you're sitting in bed with your laptop, and your finger is hovering over "Start Your Plan."
Stop.
Before you put in your credit card, there are eight questions that determine whether you're about to start a healthcare relationship — or sign up for a subscription that's going to be weirdly hard to cancel three months from now.
Here's the checklist. Screenshot it, send it to your friend who's also thinking about this, and don't pay a cent until you have clear answers to all eight. A clinic that gives you straight answers is one worth working with. A clinic that dodges any of these is telling you everything you need to know.
Why This Checklist Exists
The compounded GLP-1 telehealth space has exploded in the past three years. Some of the companies in it are excellent. Some of them are perfectly fine. And some of them have built subscription machines that look a lot more like gym contracts than medical care.
A quick example of the kind of fine print that exists out there: one major telehealth company's subscription policy explicitly states that subscriptions automatically renew until canceled, that medication and prescription sales are "ALL SALES ARE FINAL," and that membership fees are not prorated on cancellation (Zealthy subscriptions policy).
That's not illegal. That's not even unusual. But it IS the kind of thing you want to know about before you give someone your card — not after.
The 8 Questions
Run every program you're considering through these eight questions. The answers will sort the clinics built for patients from the ones built for retention metrics.
"Is there a separate membership fee on top of the medication cost?"
Why it matters: Many programs charge a monthly "membership" or "platform" fee in addition to the medication — so the advertised price isn't the real price. A $99/month headline can quietly become $149/month once the platform fee and fulfillment charge are added.
"Is there a contract or minimum commitment?"
Why it matters: Some programs lock you in for 3, 6, or 12 months — and make you pay upfront or commit to monthly charges regardless of whether you continue. Life changes. Your body changes. Your financial situation changes. You should be able to stop without penalty.
"If I stop after one month, what happens?"
Why it matters: The answer reveals whether you're entering a real medical relationship — or a subscription that's going to keep billing you whether you want more medication or not. A clinic built for patients doesn't need a cancellation process, because there's nothing to cancel in the first place.
"Will I be auto-billed without asking?"
Why it matters: Auto-renewing prescriptions and surprise card charges are the biggest source of complaints in the compounded GLP-1 space. You shouldn't have to hunt for a cancel button — you shouldn't be enrolled in a recurring charge in the first place. A patient-first clinic charges you only when you decide you're ready for your next dose.
"Is my physician consultation included, or is that separate?"
Why it matters: Some programs list medication prices — but charge separately for the consult, the follow-up, and the dose adjustments. By the time you add it up, you've paid for a piecemeal assembly of healthcare services that costs significantly more than the advertised number suggested.
"Is my medication shipped for free, or is that extra?"
Why it matters: "$149 per month" becomes $175 per month when shipping is $25 and signature required adds another fee. Compounded GLP-1 medications require cold-chain shipping in some cases, which can be expensive — and some programs quietly pass that cost to you at checkout rather than advertising it upfront.
"If my dose changes, does my price change?"
Why it matters: On a GLP-1, your dose typically titrates up over 3–6 months as your body tolerates the medication. Some programs quietly raise your price at each dose increase. If you don't ask about the pricing schedule upfront, you may find that the program you started at $149/month costs $249/month by month four — without anyone explicitly telling you that was coming.
"What happens if I have a side effect and need to pause?"
Why it matters: Nausea, fatigue, GI discomfort — the side effect profile of GLP-1 medications is real, especially in the first few weeks. You might need to skip a week or step back a dose. You shouldn't be financially punished for listening to your body. A program that keeps billing you when you're not taking medication isn't a medical program — it's a subscription service that happens to involve a doctor.
The 9th Question You Should Also Ask
The 9th question — the one most women forget to ask — is this:
"If the compounding pharmacy you use has an issue, what happens to me?"
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies under physician supervision. They are not FDA-approved products — which means the clinic choosing your pharmacy matters enormously. You want to know:
- Is the pharmacy state-licensed in your state?
- Is it a 503A or 503B pharmacy? (Both are regulated, but they're different — 503A pharmacies fill patient-specific prescriptions; 503B outsourcing facilities produce larger batches under FDA oversight.)
- If there's ever a quality issue or recall, how does the clinic handle communication and medication continuity?
- If you move states mid-program, does your medication follow you?
Most patients don't know to ask this. But the answers tell you a lot about how carefully the clinic thinks about your safety — not just your credit card.
How This Works at SkinnyVIP
Here's how SkinnyVIP answers all 9:
- 01Separate membership fee? No. None. The price you see is the total price — medication, physician consult, follow-up care, and shipping included.
- 02Contract or minimum commitment? None. Month-to-month or a 3-month plan for a better price — your choice. No lock-in either way.
- 03What if you stop after a month? There's nothing to stop — there's no membership. Patients simply contact us when they're ready to order their next dose of medication. Not ordering is stopping.
- 04Auto-billed? No. Your prescription does not auto-renew, and your card isn't on a recurring charge. When you want your next dose, you reach out to us — you're always in the driver's seat.
- 05Physician consult included? Yes. Plus all follow-ups, dose adjustments, and ongoing clinical support.
- 06Free shipping? Yes. Discreet packaging. No extra fees at checkout.
- 07Price changes as dose changes? Our 3-month plan price stays consistent through your program. Month-to-month pricing adjusts with dose — published upfront, no surprises.
- 08If you have a side effect and need to pause? Message your physician. Adjust your dose, adjust your schedule, or pause. You're in control of your treatment.
- 09Pharmacy standards? We work with state-licensed compounding pharmacies under physician oversight. Ask us which pharmacy fills your prescription — we'll tell you.
Here's what the pricing looks like:
Everything included: physician consult, medication, follow-up care, free shipping. No contracts. No memberships. No surprises at month three.
Compliance note: Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies under physician supervision. They are not FDA-approved products. Many patients choose them because they offer affordability and access under the care of a licensed physician. Individual results vary.
If You Live in Florida, Arizona, or Texas
SkinnyVIP is available via telemedicine in all 50 states, with a particularly strong base of patients in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. No in-office visits required. Your consult is a short video or messaging conversation with a licensed physician. Your medication arrives at your door. Your follow-ups happen from wherever you are — a beach in Destin, a backyard in Tucson, or a home office in Austin.
State-to-state moves? Not a problem. If you're mid-program and relocate, your physician is licensed to practice telemedicine across state lines. Your medication follows you. Your relationship with your physician follows you. There's no "sorry, we don't serve your new state" disruption to your treatment.
The Bottom Line
You don't have to be suspicious of everyone. You just have to ask the right questions. A clinic that's built for you will answer all eight (or nine) of these without flinching. A clinic that's built for its own retention metrics will dodge at least two.
If you're going to invest your time, your money, and your health into a GLP-1 program, the minimum you deserve is transparent pricing, an actual doctor, and the ability to walk away if it's not right for you. None of that should be a differentiator. But in 2026, it still is.
Screenshot this checklist. Use it on anyone — including us.
Sources: Zealthy subscriptions, cancellations & refunds policy — getzealthy.com/subscriptions-cancellations-refunds-policy. FDA guidance on 503A vs. 503B compounding pharmacies — fda.gov.