Circle Medical vs Zealthy
Both aim to get insurance to pay for your GLP-1 rather than routing you to cash-pay compounded product. Circle Medical does it as a conventional primary care practice; Zealthy does it as a consumer platform with a compounded fallback if coverage fails.
Last updated August 5, 2026
Side by side
| Dimension | Circle Medical | Zealthy |
|---|---|---|
| Membership fee | None — pay per appointment | Program-fee model; not published as a single figure |
| Cost with insurance | $0-$35 average out-of-pocket per appointment | Brand-name medication advertised from $25/month |
| Cost without insurance | $120 per appointment; medication at pharmacy price | Compounded semaglutide from about $151/month |
| Compounded fallback | None — brand-name only | Compounded semaglutide available |
| Published eligibility criteria | BMI 27+ with a related condition, or BMI 30+ | Not published |
| Appointment length | 30 minutes initial, 15 minutes follow-up | Not published; 24/7 provider access advertised |
| Institutional backing | Primary care practice affiliated with UCSF Health | Venture-backed multi-service telehealth platform |
| Prior authorisation support | Standard practice billing | Markets handling insurance authorisation on your behalf |
| Published policies | Pricing and eligibility published; no subscription to cancel | Cancellation and refund terms not published |
| Public complaint themes | Large review volume with solid mid-to-high rating | Recurring billing and shipping delay complaints |
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger position on that dimension only. Facts are taken from each provider's own published materials and are recorded in full on their individual review pages.
Choose Circle Medical if…
- You want conventional medical care from an established practice
- You want published eligibility criteria and appointment pricing
- You refuse compounded medication entirely
- You want longer appointments with a clinician
Choose Zealthy if…
- You want someone to fight your prior authorisation for you
- You want a compounded fallback if your insurance denies coverage
- You want 24/7 provider access included
- You want weight management alongside other virtual services
Our verdict
Circle Medical is the more conservative and better-documented choice: a real primary care practice with published pricing and eligibility, no membership fee, 30-minute visits, and no compounded product in the mix. Zealthy is more useful in two specific situations — when you need help getting prior authorisation approved, and when you need a compounded fallback because coverage was denied. Weigh Zealthy's recurring public complaints about billing and shipping delays against that flexibility. If your insurance is straightforward, start with Circle Medical.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better if my insurance denies GLP-1 coverage?
Zealthy, because it has a compounded pathway advertised from about $151/month to fall back on. Circle Medical is brand-name only, so a denial leaves you facing full pharmacy cash prices, which can exceed $1,000/month.
Does Circle Medical really charge no membership fee?
Yes — Circle Medical states there are no memberships or other fees, and that you are not charged until after your appointment is complete. You pay $0-$35 out-of-pocket with accepted insurance, or $120 self-pay per appointment.
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Medical disclaimer
This comparison is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Only a licensed clinician who has evaluated you can decide whether any medication is appropriate. Pricing, medication availability, pharmacy partners and policies change frequently and vary by state — verify everything directly with the provider before purchasing.