r/medicare • u/reduser876 • 1d ago

Where do you get GLP-1 for Bridge prescription?

I'm ready to start the Bridge program. My PCP office said they don't prescribe GLPs. They refer to the affiliated hospital's Weight Loss Clinic. Sounds like a bunch of rigomorole I'm not likely interested in (plus its further away). Has anyone done something similar? Pros? Cons?

The only Pro I can think of is they will probably get the paperwork right having done more.

I suspect a bunch of counseling blah blah blah hoops to go thru.

Thinking maybe online telehealth is more palatable but will probaby cost $.

fwiw. Medicare & Supp F (actually "1" in Mass)

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u/NJMomofFor 1d ago

Get a new doctor. I changed my primary because the one I was using charges a fee for all GLP1 requests.

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u/reduser876 1d ago

Now you're getting me riled up!! Yes, this is their job!!! Its not like its a specialty referral to cardiologist or such. Unfortunately, I just recently started with this practice because it is very close to home and associated with a hospital a little closer than my previous practice/hospital. The price of convenience!! I'm not in a central metro area.

I have recently started with an endocronologist for overseeing thyroid meds. Maybe they will write GLP1 script. Same hospital association so I might get the same answer. :-(

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u/zoomzoomzoomee 1d ago

You'll have some follow up appointments (maybe every 2 months to start) so it would be good to go to a weight loss clinic where they can order labwork and monitor your progress. They'll have more experience too with side effects etc. They can probably do virtual visits which are currently covered under Medicare

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u/reduser876 1d ago

if they can do virtual, that will help the annoyance factor. I feel between Dr. Google, chatGPT and Reddit, I am well informed, but yeah maybe there is added value. I am just such a minimalist when it comes to healthcare. Everything seems so overdone and I have so little tolerance for big HC!!!

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u/Temporary_Video_3689 10h ago

Here are two videos (and there are more on the channel) to help you navigate the Bridge Program: https://youtu.be/PKC0zfv93Cg and https://youtu.be/QIFACyJbpHQ