How does American Telehealth Review score telehealth providers?

Every provider is scored on a uniform v3.0 six-pillar rubric: Clinical Quality (25 points), Pricing & Value (20 points), Patient Experience (15 points), Safety & Compliance (15 points), Transparency (15 points), and Continuity of Care (10 points). Total possible score is 100 points.

How often are scores updated?

Every provider is fully re-scored every 90 days. Material events such as pricing changes or FDA actions trigger an off-cycle re-scoring within 14 days.

Can providers pay to improve their score?

No. The v3.0 rubric is applied uniformly across all providers. Pillar weights cannot be modified, and Editor's Pick selection is based exclusively on score plus qualitative review.

Journal · Pricing transparency

Why Telehealth Pricing Transparency Matters for Weight-Loss Patients

Why pricing transparency matters in weight-loss telehealth: teaser rates, dose-based pricing, hidden fees, and how to find the true monthly cost.

Published by Ranika Editorial Group LLCUpdated June 1, 2026

Direct Answer

Why does telehealth pricing transparency matter?

Pricing transparency matters because many weight-loss programs advertise a low starter price that rises as your dose is titrated, or add membership and shipping fees. Without transparency, patients cannot compare the true monthly cost. Flat-rate, dose-independent pricing and clearly disclosed fees make honest comparison possible.

Disclaimer: American Telehealth Review is an editorial resource and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products and should only be prescribed when clinically appropriate by a licensed healthcare provider. Brand-name medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are FDA-approved under their own applications. Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved finished drug products.

Where pricing hides

Teaser “starting at” rates that rise with dose
Membership fees stacked on medication cost
Shipping charged separately
Maintenance-dose price omitted

Finding the true number

Compare maintenance-dose, all-in monthly cost across providers. The lowest true monthly cost analysis and the monthly cost comparison are useful references.

Illustrative 12-month cost: flat-rate vs dose-tiered

Illustrative only. Flat-rate uses a published $145/month example (×12 = $1,740). The dose-tiered figure is a representative example of a $99 starter rising toward a higher maintenance price over titration; it is not a specific provider quote. Verify any provider's maintenance-dose price before enrolling.

Pricing model	How it behaves	Illustrative 12-month cost
Flat-rate	Same price at every dose	~$1,740
Dose-tiered	Rises as the dose is titrated up	~$2,400–$3,000

Confirm the actual maintenance-dose, all-in monthly price with any provider; see an independent price index for current figures.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the advertised price lower than what I pay?

Advertised prices are often starter or lowest-dose rates; maintenance pricing plus fees is higher.

What is the most transparent pricing model?

Flat-rate, dose-independent pricing with disclosed fees is the easiest to compare honestly.

Sources

U.S. FDA — Medications containing semaglutide and tirzepatide (fda.gov).
U.S. FDA — Compounding and the FDA (fda.gov).
Federation of State Medical Boards — Telemedicine policy resources (fsmb.org).