Costco offers new weight loss program, Ozempic prescriptions to some members

Costco is now offering its members in the United States to prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, through its virtual, low-cost healthcare partner Sesame.

Costco first partnered with Sesame, a direct-to-consumer health care marketplace that connects medical providers nationwide with consumers, last fall when it began offering its members online health checkups for as low as $29, reports CNN.

Sesame co-founder and president Michael Botta told CNN that two months after the announcement, Costco and Sesame noticed that about one in five customer inquiries was about weight-loss help. So the companies began working on a new program to address that interest.

The new Costco-only weight loss program, which launched Tuesday, is $179 for three months of services for Costco members, according to entrepreneur.com. It includes video appointments with Sesame clinicians who specialize in weight loss, prescriptions for popular drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy when appropriate, and support with unlimited messaging and nutrition and exercise advice.

How does the Costo weight loss program work?

Here’s how the Costo weight loss program works, according to USA Today:

This is what’s included for $179 every three months for Costco members:

  • Three months of clinical consultation.
  • Ability to select the clinician of your choice.
  • An initial live video consultation with the clinician.
  • Ability to message your clinician outside scheduled appointments.
  • A nutritional guide and recommendations.
  • An individualized, clinically appropriate treatment program.

The program does not include the cost of the medications, however, which can be cost-prohibitive for many. Without insurance coverage, the weight loss medications cost between $950 to $1,600 per month, depending on the drug.