Sesame Care vs Maximus: Telehealth GLP-1 Choice and Costs
Sesame Care vs Maximus: both offer online GLP-1 weight loss access, but they differ in care model, pricing structure, medication sourcing, and insurance handling. Early verdict: choose Sesame Care for clinician choice and insurance options; choose Maximus for a low flat compounded semaglutide price and fully remote direct-pay simplicity.
Explore Sesame Care clinician options
How Sesame Care vs Maximus compare at a glance
| Criterion | Sesame Care | Maximus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Ongoing visits and care starting at $59/mo* (12-month Success by Sesame commitment) | Flat rate $132.99/month for compounded semaglutide |
| Medication options | Semaglutide and tirzepatide options; cash-pay semaglutide as low as $149 and tirzepatide $299, branded and multiple strengths noted | Compounded semaglutide only; priced at $132.99/month |
| Insurance | Insurance accepted for weight loss medications; medication costs vary by insurance and pharmacy | No insurance billing; direct-pay model |
| Care model | Marketplace model where patients choose clinicians from a large network; flexible scheduling | Telemedicine with prescriptions approved by licensed doctors; no clinic visits |
| Sourcing and regulatory note | Offers branded FDA-approved products alongside cash-pay options; regulatory note: medication-specific approval must be confirmed | Compounded medications from US pharmacies; compounded products are not FDA-approved |
Pricing and payment: predictable subscription versus low flat rate
Sesame Care advertises ongoing video visits, dedicated provider care, labs and messaging for as low as $59/mo* when based on a 12-month Success by Sesame commitment. Medication costs are not included in the subscription and will vary based on your insurance status and pharmacy. Sesame lists cash-pay semaglutide prices as low as $149 and tirzepatide options starting at $299 with various strengths and monthly rates noted.
See Maximus pricing and direct-pay plan
Maximus promotes a low flat rate: $132.99/month for compounded semaglutide and a straightforward direct-pay model with no insurance billing. Maximus states free expedited shipping and that if you are not approved for treatment, medication costs will be fully refunded. Maximus notes no membership fees and transparent pricing; it operates primarily with compounded products and a predictable monthly cost.
Medication types and sourcing: branded and insurance-ready versus compounded-only
Sesame Care lists both branded and cash-pay medication options, including semaglutide and tirzepatide strengths and branded products such as a Wegovy pill reference and Zepbound KwikPen information. Sesame states that medication-specific approval status must be confirmed and that branded and compounded products are not interchangeable.
Check Sesame Care medication options
Maximus focuses on compounded semaglutide filled through trusted U.S. pharmacies and prescribed by licensed doctors. The provider materials clearly state that compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Maximus emphasizes convenience and a low flat rate for compounded semaglutide.
Care model and clinician access: marketplace choice versus streamlined telemedicine
Sesame Care is presented as a telehealth marketplace where patients can browse and select clinicians based on specialty, availability, and pricing. This model highlights large clinician network, flexible scheduling, and nationwide access in many states. Sesame notes that experience can vary by clinician.
Maximus offers fully remote telemedicine with prescriptions approved by licensed doctors and no in-person clinic visits. Maximus highlights convenience and a simple approach: telemedicine access, licensed doctor approval, and pharmacy fulfillment without insurance.
Availability, track record, and limitations
Sesame Care emphasizes broad treatment coverage and flexible appointments; results milestones cited are based on a study of injectable semaglutide 2.4 mg in non-diabetic adults with obesity or overweight when paired with healthy lifestyle changes, and it notes that results may vary. Sesame also clarifies medication costs depend on insurance and pharmacy.
Maximus states availability in all 50 states except Mississippi for its Weight Loss Protocol, claims licensed doctor approvals, and notes a smaller patient base and limited public reviews compared with larger competitors. Maximus discloses that compounded medication use differs from branded FDA-approved finished products.
Conclusion: how to choose between Sesame Care vs Maximus
Both platforms make GLP-1 access simpler, but your priorities determine the better fit. Sesame Care is for people who want choice of clinician, options to use insurance for weight loss medications, and a marketplace model with branded medication options alongside cash-pay pricing. Maximus is for people who want a low flat rate for compounded semaglutide, a fully remote direct-pay experience with licensed doctor prescriptions and domestic pharmacy fulfillment.
Visit Maximus to review eligibility
Choose Sesame Care if you want clinician choice, flexible scheduling, and the option to use insurance for medications. Choose Maximus if you want a simple, low flat compounded semaglutide price with no insurance billing.