1st Optimal vs MEDGm
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
WeightLossRankings.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
1st Optimal
Best for: GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
MEDGm
Best for: brand Wegovy, Zepbound or Ozempic access alongside cheaper compounded GLP-1
Visit MEDGm →1st Optimal and MEDGm are both GLP-1 Providers competing for the same patients, but they make different trade-offs on price, coverage, and what's included. In our scoring, 1st Optimal starts lower at $99/mo versus $179/mo, and MEDGm edges ahead overall (7.3 vs 6.7 out of 10). Below we break down pricing, what each plan covers, the six-dimension score, pros and cons, and exactly who should pick which.
Pricing
1st Optimal
Care membership only — the GLP-1 medication is billed separately and is not priced.
MEDGm
'Starting at $179' on medgm.org/glp-1. MEDGm never names the molecule for its compounded products on the public site. 3-, 6- and 12-month bundles exist but are priced only at checkout, behind a name/email/phone gate.
'Starting at $249' on medgm.org/glp-1, verified 2026-09-01. Molecule not published.
'$99 Membership + Cost' — the medication cost is not published. 'Availability is subject to change.'
'$99 Membership + Cost' — the medication cost is not published. 'Availability is subject to change.'
'$171 Membership + Cost' — the medication cost is not published. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and prescribed off-label here.
Get alerted when GLP-1 prices drop
Join the GLP-1 price-watch list — we re-verify 500+ providers' prices on their own sites and email you when tracked prices move.
What’s included
1st Optimal
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Not disclosed
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Included
MEDGm
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Not disclosed
Score breakdown
Both providers are scored on the same six-dimension framework. The gradient bar marks the stronger side on each dimension.
1st Optimal
6.7/10
MEDGm
7.3/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | MEDGm |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $179/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 51 |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | — |
| FDA Warnings | None | None |
About 1st Optimal
1st Optimal is a Michigan-based telehealth and functional-medicine platform offering GLP-1 weight loss medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as once-weekly injections or daily oral tablets. Its model pairs prescription GLP-1 therapy with at-home lab testing, blood-work interpretation, unlimited coaching, and personalized protocols framed around long-term weight loss and longevity. Care is delivered virtually by credentialed providers, and treatments ship to the home with no long-term contracts. The site does not publish monthly pricing or a state list.
Read our full 1st Optimal review →About MEDGm
MEDGm is a Delaware telehealth platform selling compounded GLP-1 injections from $179/mo and a daily dissolvable GLP-1 tablet from $249/mo, with clinical care delivered by OpenLoop Health providers and four named US compounding pharmacies. Brand Wegovy, Zepbound and Ozempic are offered as a membership fee ($99-$171/mo) plus the drug's own cost. Cash-pay only; the plan fee is billed upfront for the term you pick and is non-refundable.
Read our full MEDGm review →Pros & Cons
1st Optimal
What we like
- Offers both semaglutide and tirzepatide with injectable and oral formats
- Functional-medicine approach with at-home labs and blood-work interpretation
- Unlimited coaching and ongoing support included
- No long-term contracts
- Board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners referenced
Watch-outs
- No public monthly pricing disclosed
- No published state availability list
- Compounded vs branded sourcing not clarified on site
- Pricing only revealed after quiz or consultation
MEDGm
What we like
- Compounded GLP-1 injections from $179/mo with medication, clinician access and shipping in one price
- A daily dissolvable tablet for people who do not want to inject, at $249/mo
- Brand Wegovy, Zepbound and Ozempic available on a membership-plus-medication basis
- Four named US pharmacy partners with addresses (RedRock, Health Warehouse, Precision Medicine, Triad Rx)
- Clinical care through the OpenLoop Health provider network; service listed in all 50 states and DC
- Published support line and email, with a 24/7 patient support line described in the refund policy
Watch-outs
- The molecule behind the compounded injection and tablet is never named on the public site
- You pay before a clinician reviews you — the Terms say the consult happens after the fee is charged
- The plan fee is billed upfront for the whole term and is non-refundable, except for a documented medical disqualification
- Canceling a 3-, 6- or 12-month bundle mid-term refunds nothing; you must give notice 72 hours before renewal
- Bundle prices are not shown until you hand over your name, email and phone
- A Trustpilot five-star badge runs in the quiz, but the Trustpilot profile showed 0 reviews and a 0.0 rating on 2026-09-01
- Site disclaimers state that images and other content may be AI-generated and that people in ads may be actors or AI
- Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved
Our Verdict
MEDGm edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.3/10 and is particularly strong for brand Wegovy, Zepbound or Ozempic access alongside cheaper compounded GLP-1. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program and a starting price around $99/mo.
Choose MEDGm if…
You want brand Wegovy, Zepbound or Ozempic access alongside cheaper compounded GLP-1 and a starting price around $179/mo.
Ready to start? Vetted GLP-1 providers
Vetted telehealth providers that prescribe GLP-1 online.
No insurance needed · vetted by our editors
WeightLossRankings.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Liv Body
Compounded GLP-1 paired with a muscle-preservation supplement stack
From $99/mo
Get started →DudeMeds
Men seeking no-fee GLP-1 access with oral and injectable options
From $175/mo
Get started →Oak
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at a flat monthly price
From $133/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs MEDGm: FAQ
Key terms, explained
New to GLP-1s? Tap any term for a quick, plain-English definition.
- Semaglutide · Drugs and brands
- Tirzepatide · Drugs and brands
- Compounded GLP-1 · Pharmacy and drug forms
- 503A pharmacy · Pharmacy and drug forms
- PCAB accreditation · Pharmacy and drug forms
- Prior authorization (PA) · Insurance and regulatory
- Off-label use · Insurance and regulatory
- FDA Drug Shortage List · Insurance and regulatory
Related comparisons
Continue exploring 1st Optimal and MEDGm head-to-heads in the same category.
- 1st Optimal vs Amazon One Medical
- 1st Optimal vs Vytora Health
- 1st Optimal vs Collective
- MEDGm vs CoreAge Rx
- MEDGm vs EverSlim
- MEDGm vs Found
Or see the full category ranking.
Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® are trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. All other product names and trademarks referenced on this page belong to their respective owners. WeightLossRankings.org is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer. See trademark disclaimer.