Who can prescribe Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a popular prescription weight loss medication. In this article, find out everything you need to know about who can prescribe Wegovy and what you need to get a prescription. 

Looking for a healthcare provider who can prescribe weight loss medications, like Wegovy? Find one on Klarity today and have an appointment in 24 hours or less.

Find out if a prescription for Wegovy is right for you

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Which doctors can prescribe Wegovy?

The first thing you need to get a prescription for Wegovy is to see a doctor who can prescribe medication. Board-certified healthcare providers licensed to prescribe medications can prescribe weight loss drugs like Wegovy. These include medical doctors (MDs), like primary care physicians (PCPs) or general practitioners (GPs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants/associates (PAs). You can also see a specialist, such as an endocrinologist, who specializes in hormonal and metabolic disorders, or a bariatrician who specializes in obesity.

What is an obesity specialist?

Bariatric specialists are important because obesity can lead to serious health conditions, in addition to interfering with daily life. A bariatric specialist can tailor an obesity treatment plan to your needs and any obesity-related health conditions you have. 

Comprehensive weight loss treatment plans often include nutrition, exercise, behavior changes and/or therapy, and medication. Bariatricians can manage all of this and refer you to a bariatric surgeon, nutritionist, or therapist if needed.

Who can prescribe Wegovy online for weight loss?

Any board-certified, licensed healthcare provider who offers telehealth appointments can prescribe Wegovy online if they think you need it. In-person lab tests may be required to rule out other health problems or to get insurance to cover your medication. Your provider will let you know what’s needed during your initial visit. 

How do I find a doctor to prescribe Wegovy?

To find a doctor to prescribe Wegovy, try marketplace services, like Klarity. Or ask your friends or family for a referral. You can also check your health insurance plan’s list of in-network providers. If you have a primary care provider, talk to them about your health and weight loss goals. If they aren’t able to assess you for weight loss medication, they’ll refer you to a provider who can.

On a healthcare marketplace like Klarity, you can find a licensed provider and schedule an appointment in 24 hours or less. Providers on Klarity offer full-service weight loss support, from treatment plans and medications to specialist referrals. And you can see your provider online, if you prefer.

If you’re searching specifically for a bariatric specialist, you can ask your primary care provider for a referral. Or search the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) or Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) databases. They provide online listings of licensed obesity specialists in the U.S.

How do I know if my provider is licensed?

It’s important to make sure that the provider you choose is licensed in your state and has a clean disciplinary record. To do this, search the American Board of Medical Specialties’ (ABMS) Certification Matters website. It’s a database of credentialing information for more than 985,000 board-certified healthcare providers in the U.S. 

Also search the Federation of State Medical Board’s (FSMB) DocInfo website to verify your provider has a clean disciplinary record. If the Actions section states “No Actions Found”, the provider’s record is clean.

Who qualifies for a Wegovy prescription?

Wegovy is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for weight loss when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. You qualify to take it if you’re an adult or child 12 years and older with obesity, or an adult with overweight and at least 1 weight-related health condition. It’s also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, death, or similar cardiovascular event in adults with known heart disease and obesity or overweight.

Alternatives if Wegovy isn’t right for you

If you don’t qualify for Wegovy, or it isn’t right for you, talk to your provider about Wegovy alternatives. They might prescribe its counterpart Ozempic or other weight loss injections, like Saxenda (liraglutide) or Zepbound (tirzepatide). Oral weight loss medications include Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), phentermine, Contrave (bupropion-naltrexone), and Xenical (orlistat).

Key takeaway

Wegovy is a popular prescription weight loss drug. You can only get a prescription from a board-certified, licensed healthcare provider. This includes obesity specialists and telehealth providers who offer medical weight loss programs.

Search Klarity, other marketplace services, or online provider databases to find a licensed provider who can prescribe Wegovy. You can also get a referral from your primary care provider or friends and family.

You need to meet certain criteria to be prescribed Wegovy. If you don’t qualify, or Wegovy isn’t right for you, there are alternatives for you and your provider to consider.

Find a provider today and see if Wegovy is right for you

If you’re ready to lose weight, it’s time to find a provider who can help. On Klarity, you can search providers and schedule an appointment to check if weight loss medication is right for you. Find a weight loss provider on Klarity today to start your journey back to health. 

FAQs about Wegovy

Who can prescribe Wegovy near me?

Only board-certified healthcare providers who are licensed to prescribe medications can prescribe Wegovy. These include physicians (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants/associates (PAs). To find a provider who can prescribe Wegovy near you, search Klarity for a provider licensed in your state. Providers on Klarity offer comprehensive weight loss support from the comfort of your own home, or in-person if you prefer. 

Is Wegovy covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for Wegovy depends on your insurer and specific plan. Government insurance plans, like Medicare and Medicaid, don’t cover it. And most private insurance companies won’t cover it without prior authorization. To get prior authorization for Wegovy, work with your healthcare provider to submit a request to your insurer. 

How much does Wegovy cost?

A 1-month supply of Wegovy costs around $1,430, according to drugs.com with its discount card. And there isn’t a cheaper generic version available. You’ll pay less if you have health insurance that covers it. You can even get Wegovy for free if you’re eligible for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Savings Card program. Or find Wegovy coupons on drug discount sites and present them to your pharmacy to save money on your prescription.

Is there a Wegovy shortage?

According to the FDA, 3 Wegovy doses have limited availability at the time of publication. If you’re struggling to find Wegovy in stock, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist where to get it. They may suggest alternatives, like compounded semaglutide, which is available at reputable compounding pharmacies and can be customized based on your needs and preferences. 

What do real users say about Wegovy?

In Wegovy reviews, real people who’ve taken it share their experiences. This can be helpful if you’re considering Wegovy as part your own medically-supervised weight loss plan. Many Reddit users consider it a game-changer, noticing reduced cravings with the first dose and weight loss in 2 to 4 weeks. At the time of publication, reviewers on drugs.com rate it 7.3 out of 10, but frequently list Wegovy side effects and supply shortages as frustrations. 

Sources

American Board of Medical Specialties, Certification Matters, https://www.certificationmatters.org/

American Board of Medical Specialties, Verify Certification, https://www.abms.org/board-certification/verify-certification/

American Board of Obesity Medicine, Diplomate Search and Certification Verification, https://abom.learningbuilder.com/Search/Public/MemberRole/CertificationVerification

DailyMed, Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b

drugs.com, Wegovy Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/wegovy

drugs.com, Wegovy Reviews and Ratings, https://www.drugs.com/comments/semaglutide/wegovy.html

Federation of State Medical Boards, DocInfo, https://www.docinfo.org/?_ga=2.125552394.1265046147.1714146472-234767467.1714146472#!/search/query

Johns Hopkins Medicine, Doctors Who Specialize in Obesity, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/obesity/doctors-who-specialize-in-obesity

Obesity Medicine Association, Find an Obesity Medicine Provider, https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Drug Shortages List, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.