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Sunday, February 16th
Calibrate takes a holistic approach to weight loss. Rather than just throw a Semaglutide prescription at you and send you on your way, they build a team around you that includes doctors, coaches, nutritionists and more - to give you what they call a Metabolic Reset. Let's take a look at how this service works.
Pop-up savings
When we first landed on the Calibrate website, we got an offer to save $15 if we provided our email to join their "community”. That seems like a very small drop in the bucket compared to what you'll spend here. But more on that later...
Well-rounded approach to weight loss and medication
The process to start with Calibrate is straightforward. You'll begin with their eligibility quiz and sign up for an account. From there, you'll need to download the Calibrate app to your smartphone and fill out their longer health intake form. Within the first few days, you'll have a one-on-one coaching session via Zoom and start working on the Calibrate curriculum: it'll teach you how to make lasting changes by attending to your nutrition, sleep, exercise, and emotional health. At the same time, you'll also have some basic blood work done - see what we mean by "holistic approach”? When your lab results are in, you'll then have a virtual appointment with a Calibrate doctor to discuss the findings and chart your weight loss course.
Only brand-name Semaglutide prescribed
That's where Semaglutide may come into the picture. If your Calibrate doctor determines that a prescription medication would be an appropriate, effective, and safe part of your Metabolic Reset, one will be prescribed for you. Calibrate only offers name-brand options like Ozempic and Wegovy, plus other similar medications like Zepbound and Rybelsus; you won't find compounded Semaglutide here.
Minimum commitment of 3 months
When you sign up for Calibrate, you're making a minimum commitment of three months at $199/month. That's a big change over how this platform used to work; we saw previous customers mentioning sign-up fees of $1,000 to $2,000 for a year-long program and being charged immediately.
No refunds if you can't get the Semaglutide
However, that monthly fee doesn't include the cost of your Semaglutide. Calibrate will work with your insurance to get your lab work and prescriptions covered, assuring you that copays are "typically $25/month or less after any deductible is met”. But, we've seen feedback that indicates you might be on the hook for hundreds of dollars a month for your Semaglutide if your insurance doesn't wind up covering it. Also, if there's a shortage - a common problem with brand-name Semaglutide, hence the reason why so many rival providers on our list offer a compounded version - you're not going to get a refund for the membership you've already paid for here.
Refunds only if you meet the commitment terms
In fact, the only way we've seen to get any kind of refund is if you don't lose 10% of your starting weight after being on the Calibrate program for a year, with or without medication. (That's probably why you get a smart scale included with your welcome kit. It connects to the Calibrate app.) You'll only get 50% of your total paid membership fees back, and you have to have complied with the terms of the "Calibrate Commitment” to be eligible (which includes attending all appointments, tracking your weight at least 5 days a week, tracking "red” foods at least 5 days a week, and so on).
No good news reputation-wise
We have huge concerns about Calibrate after seeing the company's listing with the Better Business Bureau. At the time of this evaluation, the BBB showed Calibrate as "Not Rated”, with 400 complaints closed in the last year and over 1,100 in the last three years. There was also an alert for the business: the BBB said there has been a pattern of complaints that hasn't yet been cleared. Many of those complaints are from people who were charged right away ($1,000+) but had delays in getting their prescribed medications. Others say that they had a hard time getting responses from Calibrate - from their medical team, from billing, from support, etc.
Evenly split between love/hate reviews
Going beyond the BBB, client reviews are pretty evenly divided: on Trustpilot, for example, 43% gave Calibrate a perfect 5-star score, while 38% only left a 1-star rating. It sounds like if you're able to get Calibrate covered by your insurance, you'll probably love the experience and have a great connection with your assigned coach. On the other hand, if you have the same issues that those 1-star reviewers did (usually related to insurance and the process itself), you'll be wishing you never heard of Calibrate. Here's one rant that we think is particularly telling: "I joined Calibrate several months ago and paid a hefty fee ($2,000). It took months to get my first and only doctor appointment so far and haven't received any medication yet. To add insult to injury, I've now been waiting on Zoom for 40 minutes (out of a 45-minute appointment) for my first coaching session.” Ouch!
Last choice among Semaglutide providers
Calibrate seems good in theory, and it's true that some subscribers have gotten the results they wanted by making the commitment to the Metabolic Reset program. Unfortunately, if you're absolutely sure you want Semaglutide, there's no guarantee you'll get it here (especially if you don't have insurance, or if your insurer says "no”). And, with such a poor track record with the Better Business Bureau and numerous complaints about customer service, Calibrate may be a disappointment to you.
If you're like the rest of us, you've probably wished there was some magic pill or silver bullet for weight loss. "Can't I just take something and have the pounds just fall off?” For a lot of people, Semaglutide feels like it could be that unicorn. How familiar are you with this GLP-1 medication? Is it right for you?
Let's look at the background of Semaglutide for a minute. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. Approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes treatment, its use has expanded to include weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects.
That expansion has provoked shortages in many of the name-brand options (like Wegovy and Ozempic), so some Semaglutide providers offer compounded versions (that are similar to a generic form of the same drug).
Does it work for losing weight? In clinical trials, Semaglutide has been shown to be more effective than a placebo. However, it's still fairly new in its usage for weight loss, and long-term safety data is still being gathered and studied. Some people have reported side effects like nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal issues. Starting Semaglutide is a decision you should make carefully, under the direction of a physician.
But, what if your doctor isn't willing to prescribe Semaglutide, or you don't have a physician you trust? In today's world of telemedicine, it's not just possible but easy to work with a provider online. Most platforms will start you off with a basic medical history, which is reviewed by a board-certified physician before you're approved for a Semaglutide prescription. The best Semaglutide providers offer a comprehensive approach, often bundling one-on-one coaching, apps for tracking what you eat, and access to a community of other people in pursuit of weight loss into the services you receive.
So, let's say you're ready to find out if Semaglutide is the right next step for you. How can you tell which online provider to choose? There are quite a few of them out there, and they're all eager to onboard you as their newest client. Here's what you should look for as you compare your options:
To help you on your "weigh” (see what we did there?), the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated some of today's most popular Semaglutide providers and ranked them from best to worst. Use this information to get a head start on choosing the one that will be your perfect partner on your journey. We wish you all the best of health and wellness!
Select any 2 Semaglutide Providers to compare them head to head