Costco Provides Members Access to Weight-Loss Programs, Including Medication

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Costco Wholesale is expanding its partnership with online healthcare services provider Sesame to offer weight-loss programs to its members. Through this collaboration, Costco members can subscribe to Sesame’s weight-loss program at a discounted rate, receiving guidance from clinicians on diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications, as well as access to prescription drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

The subscription fee for Costco members is $179 for three months, compared to $195 for non-members. While the program covers consultations with clinicians, medication prescriptions, and lifestyle advice, it does not include the cost of medications or lab work. However, eligible patients may receive medication pre-authorizations, potentially reducing costs further.

The demand for GLP-1 agonists, a class of diabetes and obesity drugs that includes Ozempic and Wegovy, has been increasing significantly in recent years, reflecting the growing interest in effective weight-loss solutions.

Costco’s partnership with Sesame builds on their previous collaboration, which began last September when Sesame started offering outpatient medical care to Costco members. This move aligns with Costco’s efforts to enhance its healthcare offerings to its vast membership base of 130 million as of February 18.

The expansion of healthcare services by big-box retailers like Costco, Amazon, and Walmart underscores the growing trend of retailers diversifying into healthcare following the pandemic. Amazon, for example, provides virtual primary care services through One Medical, while Walmart operates primary care centers in its stores and offers prescription drugs through its pharmacies at Sam’s Club.