Costco adds a members' weight-loss program including GLP-1 access

Costco Wholesale is expanding its partnership with telehealth provider Sesame to give members access to a weight-loss program that includes prescriptions for Ozempic and Wegovy, both brand names for the drug semaglutide ^[1]. The move brings GLP-1 medication access into the warehouse-club retail space, following similar steps by other big-box chains ^[1].

Under the new offering, Costco members can subscribe to Sesame's weight-loss program for $179 for three months, compared with $195 for non-members, according to a blog post from Sesame ^[1]. A clinician working with patients through the program helps with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, and may prescribe medication depending on availability ^[1].

The subscription fee itself does not cover the cost of the medication or any lab work, Costco said in a statement to Reuters ^[1]. Clinicians will work with eligible patients to seek pre-authorization for the drugs, which the company said could lower costs further, though the sources do not specify what that final out-of-pocket cost might be ^[1].

Sesame and Costco first teamed up in September to offer outpatient medical care to members, and this expansion builds on that earlier deal ^[1]. Costco reported having 130 million members as of Feb. 18, according to its website ^[1]. Demand for GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications used for diabetes and obesity, has grown sharply in the United States in recent years, with thousands of prescriptions filled weekly, Reuters reported ^[1].

Costco is not alone in adding health services aimed at members. Amazon offers virtual primary care through One Medical, a company it acquired in 2022 ^[1]. Walmart runs primary care centers at some of its stores, and its warehouse club chain, Sam's Club, already sells GLP-1 drugs through its pharmacies ^[1]. The retail push into weight-loss drug access comes as Costco reported missing revenue expectations for its second quarter in March, which the company attributed partly to lower gas prices and softer discretionary spending ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

For Costco members interested in GLP-1 drugs, this program offers another route to a prescription, paired with clinical support for diet and lifestyle changes ^[1]. The subscription price is a modest discount compared with the non-member rate, but the medication cost itself is separate and not included in that fee ^[1]. Patients considering this option would need to weigh the subscription price against drug costs, which can vary based on insurance coverage and whether pre-authorization is approved ^[1].

The expansion also reflects how mainstream GLP-1 access has become, with major retailers now competing to offer these services alongside pharmacy chains and dedicated telehealth companies ^[1]. This could mean more choices for patients on where and how to get evaluated and prescribed these drugs, though the sources do not detail how this program compares in cost or quality to other telehealth or in-person options ^[1].

It is not yet known from these sources how many Costco members have signed up for the program, what the typical total cost including medication has been for participants, or how this offering has performed relative to competitors like Sam's Club's pharmacy-based GLP-1 sales ^[1].

What happens next

The sources reviewed do not include any dated milestones for this specific Costco-Sesame program beyond its April 3, 2024 announcement and the September prior-year start of the broader partnership ^[1]. Future coverage may clarify enrollment numbers, pricing changes, or how the program evolves as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues.