Medical Weight Loss Programs: Doctor-Approved Plans 2025
For people struggling with obesity, medical weight loss programs offer science-backed solutions supervised by healthcare professionals.
Medical Weight Loss Options
1. Prescription Medications
| Medication | Avg Weight Loss | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (Semaglutide) | 15% body weight | $1,349 |
| Ozempic | 12-14% body weight | $936 |
| Mounjaro (Zepbound) | 15-22% body weight | $1,060 |
| Phentermine | 5-10% body weight | $30-50 |
| Contrave | 5-8% body weight | $100-200 |
2. Medical Supervised Programs
- Medifast/Optavia: Meal replacement programs
- Weight Watchers Clinical: Medical oversight
- Noom Med: Prescription + coaching
- Found: Online prescription weight loss
3. Bariatric Surgery
For BMI 40+ or 35+ with health conditions:
- Gastric sleeve: 60-70% excess weight loss
- Gastric bypass: 70-80% excess weight loss
- Gastric band: 40-50% excess weight loss
Who Qualifies for Medical Weight Loss?
- BMI 30+ (obesity)
- BMI 27+ with weight-related conditions
- Failed diet and exercise attempts
- Commitment to lifestyle changes
Insurance Coverage
Many plans now cover weight loss treatment:
- Medicare covers obesity screening
- Some plans cover GLP-1 medications
- Bariatric surgery often covered with requirements
- Prior authorization usually required
