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Costco and its low-cost healthcare partners are expanding into weight loss management.
Costco will begin offering its U.S. members access to weight loss programs through its health care marketplace Sesame, Sesame told USA TODAY for the first time. The service costs him $179 every three months and is scheduled to be available on April 2nd.
“We are witnessing a significant innovation in medically managed weight loss,” said David Goldhill, co-founder and CEO of Sesame. “Sesame’s unique model not only makes quality specialty care, such as weight loss, more accessible and affordable, but also empowers clinicians to create the right care plan specific to each individual patient. Become.”
Last fall, Costco began offering family doctor visits for $29 through a partnership with Sesame. We also offered virtual mental health therapy for $79 per session and a standard test panel physical exam and virtual follow-up consultation with a provider for $72.
The expansion of medical weight loss services by Sesame and Costco came about as a result of inquiries from patients, Goldhill told USA TODAY.
“The No. 1 search term for Costco members seeking primary care at Sesame was related to weight loss,” Goldhill said.
The two parties came together about two months after the Primary Care Physician Partnership began exploring offering weight loss management because consumers “come to Sesame without asking for anything and say, ‘Do you have any?’ Because you asked.” ” He said.
How does Costco’s weight loss program work?
Here’s what Costco members get for $179 every 3 months.
- 3 months clinical consultation.
- You can choose the doctor of your choice.
- Initial live video consultation with a clinician.
- Ability to send messages to your doctor unscheduled.
- Nutrition guide and recommendations.
- Individualized, clinically appropriate treatment programs.
Sesame clinicians first collect a detailed medical history from each patient and provide them with appropriate diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
Members can get more information at CostcoWeightLoss.com.
Can I get a prescription for a weight loss drug like Ozempic?
When clinically appropriate, clinicians can combine these interventions depending on drug availability, Sesame said.
An individual patient’s eligibility for medications available through Sesame is determined by an assessment of the appropriateness of each therapy by a Sesame-registered provider.
The doctor will examine the following:Costco partners with Sesame to offer members $29 virtual health visits
Can I use Sesame even if I am not a Costco member?
Goldhill said Sesame is an interactive health marketplace that connects consumers and health care providers at low cost. Insurance is not accepted. According to Goldhill, about two-thirds of Sesame consumers have insurance and use Sesame’s services to contact a medical professional more quickly if they are unable to make an appointment with their primary care physician. It is said that there is a possibility that
Consumers without Costco memberships can still use Sesame’s services, but Costco members receive an additional discount on prices, he said.
Sesame has primary care physicians, nurses, more than 40 medical specialties, and testing and imaging centers. We primarily provide virtual care, but some in-person care is also available.
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or her Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up here for The Daily Money newsletter, free for consumer news on Fridays.
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