To apply for a Mochi Health membership, platform users must:
- Complete a brief survey. Mochi platform users answer a series of basic questions and provide personal contact information, height, weight, gender, current health conditions (such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure), whether they’ve taken prescription weight loss medications in the past six months and if they have insurance coverage. If you’re deemed a candidate, you’ll be prompted to create an account consisting of a username and password as well as schedule an evaluation appointment.
- Choose a plan and schedule a provider visit. Before meeting with a provider, anyone not using insurance must select a Mochi Health membership plan from four options: one month, three months, six months or one year. Payment is collected up front and does not include the cost of medication. For those with in-network insurance, the Wellness Plus plan is available. It offers additional services, such as health risk assessments, health monitoring and customized diet plans. Eligibility is determined during the intake process if you choose to enroll with insurance coverage.
- Have a virtual visit with a Mochi Health provider. Using the information collected with the intake forms, users will meet with a board-certified obesity medicine provider and registered dietitian to discuss their eligibility and get medication recommendations tailored to their goals, according to the company. It can take up to a week after signing up to have the virtual visit.
- Get medication. Once the virtual visit has been completed, those who are approved will receive their medication. If obtaining medication through Mochi Health, the medication is a compounded version at the advertised rate of $99 per month for Compounded GLP-1 medication or $199 per month for Compounded GLP-1/GIP medication. Alternatively, users have the option of receiving a brand-name prescription filling it at a local pharmacy, with varied pricing depending on location, pharmacy, medication and insurance coverage.
- Receive ongoing support. Platform users have access to 24/7 live support and regular check-ins with their provider and dietitian.
Who Is Eligible for Mochi Health Weight Loss Services?
To obtain prescription GLP-1 medications from Mochi Health, users must have a BMI of at least 30 or a BMI of 25 or more plus one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. For the brand-name, FDA-approved versions of tirzepatide and semaglutide, Zepbound and Wegovy, the minimum qualifying BMI with a weight-related health condition is 27.
However, in addition to the official recommendations, “there are many potential candidates for GLP1s who don’t have diabetes and are not obese. These include patients who have prediabetes, are mildly overweight, or have binge eating disorder,” says Caroline Messer, M.D., a dual board-certified internist and endocrinologist at Fifth Avenue Endocrinology in New York.
Dr. Messer, who prescribes GLP-1s to her patients, says the most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, and are typically mild to moderate and dose-dependent (meaning side effects often increase with dosage increases).
That’s not to say the weight loss medications are without risks. Potential long-term adverse effects of GLP-1s include gallbladder issues, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), bowel obstruction, kidney problems and muscle loss. Research into their long-term effects is ongoing.
“GLP-1 should not be taken in isolation but as part of a comprehensive program with diet, exercise and other medical interventions to maximize results and minimize side effects,” emphasizes David Shafer, M.D., a double board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of the Shafer Clinic in New York City.
Who Is Mochi Health’s Weight Loss Services Not Suitable For?
The FDA issued black box warnings, its highest safety alert, for semaglutide and tirzepatide. They may lead to an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). As such, semaglutide and tirzepatide must be avoided by those with a history of MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) syndrome, a rare genetic disorder linked to tumor development and hormonal imbalances.
Additionally, GLP-1s can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder issues and intestinal blockages. They can also cause reduced blood flow to the kidneys, potentially impairing kidney function and injury. There is also an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy (a condition that causes retinal damage, vision issues and loss of vision) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
