Ro’s weight loss program pairs GLP-1 medications with ongoing medical support through a telehealth platform. You complete an online evaluation, get matched with a provider, and if prescribed medication, receive coaching and insurance help as part of a monthly membership. Here’s how each piece fits together.
The Online Evaluation
The process starts with an online health questionnaire on Ro’s website. You’ll answer questions about your weight history, medical conditions, and goals. A Ro-affiliated provider reviews your answers and decides whether medication could be appropriate for you.
Depending on what your health review turns up, your provider may order a metabolic lab test. If so, you can go to any Quest Diagnostics location at no extra cost as part of your membership, or purchase an at-home blood collection kit through Ro for $75. If Quest isn’t available in your state, Ro sends you the at-home kit for free. Not everyone needs labs. Your provider makes that call based on your health profile.
The Medications Ro Prescribes
Ro prescribes GLP-1 medications, the same class of drugs behind brand names like Wegovy and Zepbound. These drugs mimic a hormone your gut naturally releases after eating. They slow digestion, reduce appetite, and change how your brain processes hunger signals, so you feel full sooner and stay satisfied longer.
The clinical results behind these medications are substantial. In trials lasting about 72 weeks, people taking Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their body weight, roughly 35 pounds. Zepbound performed even stronger: at the highest dose, participants lost an average of 21% of their body weight, about 48 pounds. A head-to-head trial found Zepbound produced 20.2% weight loss compared to 13.7% with Wegovy over the same period. Your provider determines which medication and dose are right for you based on your health history and how you respond over time.
These medications are injectable (typically a weekly shot you give yourself at home), though oral versions are becoming available. Doses start low and increase gradually over several weeks to minimize side effects.
What the Membership Includes
The Ro Body membership costs $39 for the first month. After that, it’s $149 per month on a rolling plan, or as low as $74 per month if you prepay for a full year. The membership does not include the cost of the medication itself. What you pay for the drug depends on your insurance coverage and which medication you’re prescribed.
For your membership fee, you get a dedicated health coach who provides personalized support, plus ongoing access to a healthcare provider with up to 24 video sessions per year. That works out to roughly two video check-ins per month, which is more frequent than most in-person weight management programs offer. Your provider can adjust your dosage, address side effects, and modify your treatment plan during these visits.
How the Insurance Concierge Works
GLP-1 medications carry high list prices, so insurance coverage matters. Ro includes an insurance concierge as part of the membership to handle that process for you. The concierge contacts your insurance provider directly, verifies whether your medication is covered, and submits any required paperwork, including prior authorization requests.
If your provider writes you a new or different prescription, the concierge works with your insurer to try to get it covered as well. They’ll also help navigate medication shortages: if your pharmacy is out of stock, the concierge periodically checks in with the pharmacy on your behalf. Essentially, they act as a go-between so you’re not spending hours on hold with your insurance company.
Side Effects to Expect
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. These tend to be worst when you first start the medication or when your dose increases, which is why providers ramp up dosing slowly over several weeks. For most people, the nausea fades as the body adjusts. Eating smaller meals, avoiding greasy foods, and staying hydrated all help during the transition periods.
Your Ro provider monitors side effects through your regular check-ins and can slow down dose increases or switch medications if symptoms are too disruptive.
What Results Look Like Over Time
Weight loss on GLP-1 medications is gradual, not instant. Clinical trials measured outcomes at 68 to 72 weeks, so the headline numbers (15% to 21% body weight reduction) reflect more than a year of treatment. Most people notice appetite changes within the first few weeks, but meaningful weight loss accumulates over months. Early results often show 5% body weight loss within the first three to four months, with continued loss as dosing increases.
The medications work best alongside changes to eating habits and physical activity, which is where the coaching component of Ro’s program plays a role. Your health coach helps you build sustainable routines rather than relying on the medication alone. This matters because weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications is common, so the behavioral foundation you build during treatment affects your long-term outcome.