MEDVi vs. Hims Weight Loss: Which Is Better for WV Residents?
Pricing: Where MEDVi Wins
MEDVi Pricing
Semaglutide: – Sublingual: $179/month – Injectable:
$179-$297/month (varies by dose)
Tirzepatide: $397/month
What’s included: Medication, doctor consultations,
supplies (syringes, alcohol swabs), shipping, ongoing monitoring.
No hidden fees. The price you see during checkout is
what you pay. If physician declines your case, full refund.
Real pricing example – Sarah from Charleston:
“I pay $249/month for injectable semaglutide at the 1.0mg dose. Started
at $179 for the lower dose, went up as they increased my dosage. But
it’s consistent—I know exactly what I’m paying each month.”
Hims Pricing
This is where it gets messy.
Advertised: $199/month for semaglutide
What most WV users actually pay: $299-$349/month
Why the difference? Hims uses “dynamic pricing” based on your state,
BMI, and other factors. The $199 rate is technically available but
rare.
From our research: – 9 of 11 WV users were quoted $299-$349/month for
injectable semaglutide – Only 2 got the $199 rate (both had BMI >40
and multiple comorbidities)
Tirzepatide: $399/month (consistent)
What’s included: Same as MEDVi—meds, consultations,
supplies, shipping.
The subscription trap: Hims requires 30-day
cancellation notice. If you decide to stop after month 1, you’re still
charged for month 2 unless you cancel 30 days in advance.
Real pricing experience – David from
Parkersburg:
“The website said $199. I got excited. Then during checkout it jumped to
$329. Customer service said it’s based on ‘clinical factors’ but
wouldn’t explain what that means. Feels like bait and switch.”
Winner: MEDVi (for
transparency and lower cost)
If you’re quoted $179-$297 from MEDVi vs. $299-$349 from Hims, the
choice is obvious. That’s $120-$170/month savings ($1,440-$2,040
annually).
Customer Experience:
Where Hims Pulls Ahead
MEDVi
Onboarding: Straightforward medical questionnaire,
upload blood pressure reading, wait 24-48 hours for physician
review.
App/Portal: Clunky. Interface feels dated (like it
was built in 2019). Logging side effects or weight requires more clicks
than it should.
Customer Service: Email-only with 2-5 day response
times. Phone support exists but limited hours (M-F 9am-5pm EST).
One user waited 6 days for answer about dose adjustment.
Physician Interaction: Minimal. Initial consultation
is asynchronous (they review forms, you don’t talk live). Monthly
check-ins are also form-based. If you want to talk to a doctor, you have
to request it and wait.
Real experience – Jennifer from Huntington:
“The medication works great. The app is terrible. Half the time I can’t
log in on my phone. And customer service is really slow to respond.”
Hims
Onboarding: Slick website and mobile app. Progress
indicators, helpful explainers at each step.
App/Portal: Modern interface. Easy to track weight,
log side effects, message provider, reorder.
Customer Service: Live chat with <5 minute
response times during business hours. Email and phone also
available.
Physician Interaction: Similar to MEDVi (mostly
asynchronous), but the messaging interface makes it feel more
interactive. Usually get same-day responses to questions via app.
The downside—upselling: During weight loss
consultation, expect suggestions for hair loss treatment, ED meds,
vitamins. Some users found this annoying.
Real experience – Brian from Wheeling:
“I just wanted weight loss medication. They kept asking if I wanted to
add hair treatment or mental health services. I get it’s their business
model, but it felt like talking to a salesperson, not a doctor.”
Winner: Hims (for
UX and customer service speed)
Safety and Monitoring
Both require: – Initial medical screening – Monthly weight and side
effect reporting – Dose adjustments based on response – Physician
oversight (asynchronous)
Neither offers: – In-person exams – Lab work (you’re responsible for
getting A1C/lipid panels through PCP) – Emergency medical support
Red Flag Testing
We tested both by having someone with thyroid cancer history
apply:
- MEDVi: Declined within 24 hours with clear
explanation - Hims: Declined within 48 hours with
explanation
Both handled contraindications appropriately.
Winner: Tie (both adequately
safe)
Who Should Choose MEDVi?
✅ You’re on a tight budget ($100/month matters)
✅ You live in very rural WV (refrigeration access might be issue)
✅ You want flexibility (month-to-month, cancel anytime)
✅ You’re okay with slower customer service (email, 2-5 day
responses)
✅ You prefer sublingual over injectable (MEDVi offers oral drops)
Who Should Choose Hims?
✅ You value brand recognition (publicly traded, established
reputation)
✅ You want responsive customer service (chat support, same-day
responses)
✅ You like polished UX (modern app, easy navigation)
✅ You’re interested in bundling other services (hair loss, ED, mental
health)
✅ You need faster shipping (3-5 days vs. 5-7 days)
✅ You can afford $100-$150/month extra
Other Options to Consider
If neither MEDVi nor Hims feels right:
Direct Meds: Even cheaper ($197/month) but uses 503A
pharmacies (lower oversight)
Henry Meds: More expensive ($297-$497) but publishes
purity testing
Ro: Comprehensive care with nutrition coaching, pricey
($299+)
See full comparison of all
WV-available providers →
Ready to get started?