Form Health is an FDA-approved weight loss membership program claimed to produce faster, lasting weight loss results. It includes an accountability and coaching program and prescription weight loss medication delivered right to your door for those who qualify.
Does it work? Is it worth it? What other weight loss programs like Form Health should you consider? Stick around and find out!
Obesity is a chronic disease that affects more than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States. As a registered dietitian, I know firsthand that losing weight isn’t always as simple as eating less and moving more.
Being overweight or having obesity increases your risk for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and high blood pressure. In addition, it also increases the risk for social and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. Not to mention the feelings of embarrassment or shame and bias one may experience when interacting with other people, including health care providers.
When traditional approaches to losing weight fail, it’s certainly reasonable to consider medically backed weight loss programs that include prescription medications. Fortunately, technology gives us the option of enrolling in these weight loss programs in the comfort of our own homes.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing Form Health, a new medical weight loss program that takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to help people lose weight through a combination of FDA-approved medication, lifestyle changes, and a clinical support team.
Is Medical (RX) Weight Loss Safe?
Using prescription medications to help you lose weight can be a safe and effective option for those who’ve had no or limited success with lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating and physical activity. However, to be considered safe, the prescription medication must be FDA-approved.
You should also be closely monitored by a physician and have ongoing support from a certified nutritionist or registered dietitian while taking weight loss medications.
Form Health Weight Loss Review Quick Summary
Product: | Personalized Prescription Weight Loss Medication and Coaching |
Brand: | Form Health |
Founder: | |
Website: | |
Best for: | Those who think they qualify for prescription weight loss (rx) medication with a personalized holistic approach to weight loss, along with registered dietitian appointments and a strong community. |
Pricing with insurance plan: | $99 monthly program fee |
Pricing w/o insurance plan: | $199 monthly program fee |
Additional Fees: | Potential copays/deductible just like a doctor visit with your insurance plan. Potential lab work and medication costs. |
HSA/FSA Eligible: |
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Avg. User Rating: | 4.9/5 |
(Trust sources from Google, TrustPilot, and Facebook with over 40 reviews)What is Form Health?
Form Health is a cutting-edge telehealth program that helps people achieve sustainable weight loss using a medical approach. The company sees obesity as a treatable medical condition and realizes sustainable weight loss requires a personal plan for each person - it is not one size fits all.
Form Health takes your individual medical background, preferences, and goals into consideration and develops a personalized weight loss path that uses proven methods backed by science. Your personalized path will include nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral changes along with FDA-approved weight loss medications, as appropriate. You’ll receive ongoing medical care and have an expert team supporting you during each step of your weight loss journey.
The medical tram at Form Health includes highly qualified board-certified obesity medicine physicians and Registered Dietitians. These clinical professionals are specially trained in medical weight loss and have focused their careers on helping people achieve their weight loss and health goals.
Needless to say, you’ll never be asked to follow fad diets, restricted meal plans, or set any unattainable goals.
If you’re having questions about if Form is suitable for you, they offer a free 15-minute enrollment call with an enrollment specialist to help you in the decision process.
Pros:
Cons:
How Does it Work?
Joining and being a part of the Form Health community is straightforward. This is part of why the Form program is so effective at helping people achieve a healthier weight.
Here’s a rundown of how Form Health works.
1: Take the quiz
Form Health will ask you to take a short quiz to determine if you qualify for their weight loss program. This will include information about your current weight, medical history, and weight loss goals.
You will also be asked for information about your health insurance. Form Health doctor visits are covered by most major insurances and Medicare. If you don’t have insurance, there is a self-pay program as well.
If you are deemed a good match, you’ll be virtually paired with a Form Health doctor and Registered Dietitian.
2: Download The Free App
After you qualify and finish the enrollment process, you will download their free app and schedule your first telehealth visit with your Form Health doctor and Registered Dietitian. Before your first visit with your doctor, you will be asked to provide medical records and connect the Form Health team to your family doctor, or primary care provider (PCP). This will allow your Form Health doctor to have a full understanding of your medical background so they can identify your biologic blockers to weight loss and it will allow them to coordinate care as needed.
During your first visit, your doctor will conduct a comprehensive review of your medical history. You can expect to answer a lot of questions. This allows your team to develop a personalized weight loss pathplan for you. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask a lot of questions to understand your weight loss path and set realistic expectations.
Although you may be be prescribed an FDA-approved weight loss medication, your doctor will determine if it’s appropriate for you after reviewing your medical history.
3. Dietitian Meeting: Customized Diet and Coaching Plan
When you first meet with your dietitian, you’ll set achievable goals and receive guidance to overcome your unique challenges. You’re dietitian will help you develop a customized meal plan that addresses your needs and preferences with a focus on lean protein, fruits, healthy starches, and veggies. You’ll also be able to develop a plan to incorporate physical activity fitness regimen based on your personal abilities and interests.
4. Monthly Form Doctor Visits: Adjust Prescription Medication if Needed
You’ll have monthly Form Health doctor video visits to track your progress, discuss any concerns, and adjust medication. You’ll have video visits with your Registered Dietitian twice each month. This will help you continue to build on healthy habits and provide accountability. You can also message your clinical care team if you need them in between appointments. Simply reach out via the Form Health app.
Who is Eligible for Form Health's Medical Weight Loss Program?
Form Health realizes weight loss begins with healthy habits and a lifestyle change. This is why their top priority is to help you adopt healthier eating habits, add physical activity to your routines, and make positive behavior changes. However, they also realize these approaches alone do not work for everyone. If these changes alone aren't enough, FDA-approved weight loss medications will be considered.
In order to qualify for a prescription medication through Form, you must:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old
- BMI: You must have a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI over 27 or higher with weight-related medical issues such as sleep apnea or high blood pressure
- Primary care provider: You must have an active family doctor or primary care provider (PCP) so Form Health can access your recent medical history and coordinate care with your doctor.
Additionally, if you suffer from certain medical conditions that put your safety at risk you may be deemed ineligible. This will be determined during your initial screen.
Weight Loss Medications That Form Health Prescribes
Form Health will only prescribe FDA-approved weight loss medications with strong scientific evidence to support their use. They will never recommend weight loss medications or supplements that are not approved by the FDA.
Form uses only FDA-approved weight loss medication.
Form Health offers a variety of FDA-approved medications that will consider your medical history in addition to other factors to determine which medication will benefit you the most.
In order to continue to receive FDA-approved prescription medications to support weight loss, you must continue to actively participate in the program.
How Much Does the Form Health Weight Loss Program Cost?
Unlike many other telehealth-based weight loss programs, Form Health accepts health insurance. They offer two monthly subscription plans for those with and without insurance.
Since Form Health is considered a qualified medical expense, you also have the option of using your HSA or FSA to cover your virtual visits.
Insurance Plan
For those with private insurance or Medicate, there is a $99 monthly program fee.
This covers appointments with your Registered Dietitian, unlimited messaging with your clinical care team, and access to their app.
All of your doctor’s visits, medications, and lab work is billed directly through your insurance company. You are responsible for any co-pays or deductibles, just as you would be for an in-person appointment.
Self Pay Plan
For those without insurance, there is a $199 monthly program fee. This covers appointments with your doctor, Registered Dietitian, unlimited messaging, and access to the Form Health app.
You are also responsible for paying for the cost of lab work and any medications prescribed by your doctor.
There are two plans to choose from - the insurance plan and the self pay plan. It's nice seeing a company that caters to unique needs.
What Insurance Does Form Accept?
Form Health accepts most employer-provided and commercial insurance plans in addition to Medicare. Form Health also prescribes FDA-approved medications that are covered under insurance.
What’s Included with Your Subscription?
With your Form Health medical weight loss subscription, Form Health will provide you with:
- FDA-approved medications, as appropriate
- A personalized weight loss path customized by your doctor and registered dietitian
- Monthly video visits with your doctor
- Twice monthly visits with your registered dietitian
- Unlimited messaging with your clinical care team
- Online community support
- Full support via the Form Health app, which includes personalized educational resources, meal photo sharing, and progress tracking tools
- Scale shipped directly to your home
If for some reason, you aren’t satisfied after joining Form Health within your first 30 days, Form Health offers a full refund of your monthly program free. However, it appears this is seldomly taken advantage of by users.
How Long Is The Form Health Program?
Form Health allows you to pay on a month-to-month basis, and you can cancel at any time.
Form Health doesn’t have a specific length of time that patients should continue the program because each individual is different because some may show results quicker than others. There is no set end date.
However, sustainable weight loss takes time and most Form Health patients participate in the program for a minimum of six months.
How Much Weight Can I Expect to Lose?
Form Health patients can expect to lose an average of 10% of their weight within the first six months.
This translates to a slow, sustainable weight loss of around 3-4 pounds per month. Each person’s results will vary.
In addition to weight loss, Form Health patients can also expect to experience increased energy, improved health, and improved confidence.
Comparing Form Health vs Other RX Weight Loss Plans
Program | Rx meds | Insurance Plan? | Support | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Form |
|
|
| $99/mo with insurance plan. $199/mo w/o insurance plan. |
Found |
|
|
| $99/mo for rx plan. $49/mo wellness path plan. |
Calibrate |
|
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| $135/mo ($31/week) or $1,620/year. |
Calibrate Compared to Form Health
Calibrate is similar to Form Health and offers many of the same features including FDA-approved medications. The main difference between Form and Calibrate is that Form Health offers a high-touch clinical approach where you’ll build a relationship with your doctor and Registered Dietitian. Calibrate’s program doesn’t include a 1:1 relationship with a doctor and regular video visit with health coaches vs. a Registered Dietitian.
Calibrate also requires a commitment of one-year, and Form's weight loss program doesn't have a set end date. The costs also vary. Form Health accepts insurance and Calibrate does not. Calibrate is $1645 for a one-year metabolic reset and Form Health is $99 / month (with insurance) and you can cancel at any time.
Found Compared to Form Health
Found is also similar to Form Health. Many of their features are similar, but Found also does not offer the high touch clinical approach with 1:1 relationships built through regular video visits and messaging with a doctor and Registered Dietitian. Instead, Found doctors supervise your care and you work with a health coach.
Found offers programs that vary from $99/month to $149/moth depending on the length of your commitment. If you're planning on a long-term commitment, their six-month program includes access to FDA-approved medications and personal coaching for just $99 per month. For those without insurance, this may be a cheaper option.
Trust Ratings and Reviews: Are Users Able to Lose Weight and Keep it Off?
After searching the internet for Form Health reviews, users have overwhelmingly positive responses to the Form Health program. According to Trust Pilot (trust rating), Form Health has 4.6 out of 5 stars with an excellent rating and over 200 real customer reviews. Impressively, there are over 10 reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.9/5 stars.
Here's their google listing and trustpilot listing - both are "excellent' ratings with positive customer reviews.
Most users praise Form Health for saving them from weight loss surgery and taking a sustainable approach to losing weight. They say the program truly helps you develop lifestyle changes and is very effective in helping you meet your goals.
I’m all about weighing the pros and cons of programs and services. However, at this time, I cannot find a single negative review or concern from an unhappy consumer.
Worth it? Final Verdict
If you’re struggling with weight loss and feel as if you have tried every diet, supplement, workout regimen, and other weight loss programs without success, Form Health is an excellent choice and worth giving a shot.
I know I may sound a little biased as a dietitian. However, I genuinely believe to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off long-term, you should have a care team to support you on your weight loss journey.
Not only should this include a physician with a background in obesity medicine, but it should also include a dietitian or credentialed nutrition professional working with you to support you and keep you on track.
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