Wisp, a virtual provider of sexual and reproductive health services, is launching a new weight care vertical to help women struggling with hormonal imbalances.
The move by Wisp, serving more than 1.2 million patients across 50 states today, is a part of its broader strategy to serve women at every stage of life, executives said. Weight management issues are common in women dealing with conditions like menopause, PCOS or endometriosis. The new vertical is launching in 20 states this week, including Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada and New York, with plans to expand to the rest of the country by the end of 2024.
Starting today, patients can access several GLP-1 medications and an over-the-counter natural weight loss supplement exclusive to Wisp. A medical provider will review patients for eligibility.
Wisp does not want to encourage easy access to GLP-1s for those that don't need it, Monica Cepak, CEO of Wisp, noted, so is also requiring a photo of each patient to verify they have a weight issue. The goal of the new vertical is to offer weight care solutions personalized specifically to women.
“We did consistently hear from our patients that they were looking for weight management solutions and solutions that felt more personalized to women’s health needs,” Cepak told Fierce Healthcare.
The OTC supplement is an exciting alternative for women who may not want a prescription drug to manage their weight, Cepak added. It was developed with Wisp’s medical advisory board and includes ingredients like lemon extract Eriomin, black ginger extract, berberine and a probiotic.
This past month, Wisp also expanded its menopause and perimenopause offerings with a new prescription face cream and new hormone replacement therapy treatments, Cepak said. The reason the latest vertical is launching in the initial 20 states is they have the clearest regulatory pathways. The company plans to broaden its strategic partnerships and deepen its footprint, expanding to more at-home diagnostics and treatment options later this year.
The company does not work with payers today and is cash-pay only. It doesn’t follow a monthly membership model, but rather charges patients based on what care they are getting. For example, to get Wegovy would cost $99 for a consult plus local pharmacy fees, which likely start around $1,000, Wisp shared with Fierce Healthcare. A compounded injectable semaglutide would cost $275 monthly, which includes a consult and 28 days of medications. A one-month supply of the new supplement would cost $81.
Patients could spend six months to a year or longer in the weight care vertical, depending on their needs. Their provider will also coach them to prioritize their physical health and nutrition, so patients can maintain healthy weight management. Wisp is considering onboarding health coaches and therapists, too, Cepak said, to address a broader mental health component.
“There’s a plethora of online businesses today offering weight management services, but that’s all they do -- and increasingly women want a one-stop-shop,” Cepak said.