Company Story & Mission

Who they are, when they started, and what they stand for
Ro is an American telehealth company launched in 2017 in New York City by Zachariah Reitano, Saman Rahmanian, and Rob Schutz The Wall Street Journal+15Wikipedia+15Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+15. The founders dreamed of creating a healthcare experience as caring and accessible as they’d want for themselves—“bringing software to become a doctor,” inspired by Reitano’s family background in medicine WikipediaAlleyWatch. Since then, Ro has grown its services from men’s health into broader areas—including its well‑regarded Body Program for weight loss. Their mission centers around making healthcare approachable to everyone, no matter their location or insurance status Barron's+12Ro+12Wikipedia+12.

Leadership & Funding Highlights
Key leaders include co‑founders and medical advisors like Dr. Melynda Barnes, Ro’s Chief Medical Officer, who guides clinical direction for the Body Program The Wall Street Journal+15Ro+15Ro+15. Finans—Ro raised seed funding in 2017 (~$3.1M), Series A in 2018 ($88M), Series C in 2020 ($200M), and Series D in 2021 ($500M), valuing the company at around $5 billion Wikipedia+1.

GLP-1 Body Program: Medications & Features

Medications offered and dosing style
Ro’s Body Program offers the top-name GLP‑1 injectables: Wegovy (semaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and even Saxenda® (liraglutide) for those interested in daily injections or slower dose escalation Herald Sun+15Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+15Ro+15. If insurance won’t cover them, compounded (non‑FDA‑approved) versions of semaglutide or tirzepatide might be offered in some states Nutrition and Nourishment Collective.

Program details & benefits

• Designed to help individuals lose weight sustainably—clinical studies suggest average losses of 15–20% when paired with lifestyle changes Ro. Some trials cited in Ro’s materials even show up to 18% loss over about 68 weeks Barron's+15Ro+15firstmark.com+15.

• Includes 1:1 nurse coaching, lifestyle support, and personalized plans New York Post+7Ro+7Ro+7.

Pricing & Insurance

Subscription & costs

• Initial visit and labs cost $45 for the first month. After that, the membership is $145/month, covering consults, care coordination, messaging, lab access, and coaching—though medication cost is separate Ro+2Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+2.

• Lab testing via Quest is included; an at‑home kit is free in areas Quest doesn’t serve, or available for $75 Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+2Ro+2.

Insurance help

• Ro doesn’t take insurance for the Body Program itself—it’s cash‑pay only firstmark.com+5Ro+5Ro+5.

• But their Insurance Coverage Checker tool is free—Ro reaches out to your insurer, provides coverage details, copay estimates, and even sends you a $50 credit if you’re new to Ro Ro+1.

Special medication ordering

• A deal with Eli Lilly lets Ro offer Zepbound vials—$399 for lower doses, $549 for higher—via LillyDirect, though these are cash‑pay only Ro+7Barron's+7Wikipedia+7.

How It Works

Step-by-step process

• You fill out an online health assessment and share goals. A provider reviews it—sometimes orders labs—and if appropriate, prescribes medication Ro.

• Insurance team works on coverage. If you pay cash, medications ship in 1–4 days; otherwise, you get it via your usual pharmacy Ro+2Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+2.

• Ongoing care includes unlimited messaging, dose adjustments, coaching, and tracking with tools like a connected scale firstmark.com+4Ro+4Ro+4.

Customer Experience

Website & portal usability

• Ro’s site is user‑friendly: clear navigation, easy sign‑up, coaching, and progress tracking options Ro+4Ro+4Ro+4.

• Supports include app-based messaging, health education, and tracking tools.

Feedback highlights
Ro’s site features testimonials with phrases like:

“Ro makes insurance navigation a huge relief”
“The care from Ro has been nothing short of amazing”
“Silenced food noise… mindset and clarity… weight came off quick”
These reflect themes of attentive support, relief in handling logistics, and impactful results Ro+1Ro+6Ro+6AlleyWatch+6.

Medical Support & Safety

• Providers overseeing care are licensed, and Ro includes lab testing and provider consultations for safe prescribing Ro+4Ro+4New York Post+4.

• Side effects (e.g., nausea, GI upset) are addressed through messaging and nurse coaching Nutrition and Nourishment Collective.

• Safety screening includes thyroid cancer history (MEN2, MTC) and other contraindications Ro.

Shipping & Delivery

• Medications ship in 1–4 days once prescribed Ro.

• Zepbound vials come through LillyDirect; prefilled pens can be filled at local pharmacies or shipped Ro+6Barron's+6Nutrition and Nourishment Collective+6.

Compliance & Credibility

• Ro operates with legal licensure across the U.S. and follows FDA and state regulations. Their site includes safety and legal disclosures RoWikipedia.

• They carry a LegitScript certification badge on their website, signaling adherence to online healthcare standards Ro.

Recent Developments

• The Body Program launched in January 2023, combining GLP‑1 medications with labs and coaching The Washington Post+15Ro+15Ro+15.

• In 2024, they released tools to track GLP‑1 supply and launched the free insurance checker amid shortages Ro+1.

• Late 2024 brought the partnership with Eli Lilly to distribute Zepbound vials via Ro Wikipedia+1.

Bottom Line

Ro’s GLP-1 Body Program combines evidence-based medications, thoughtful coaching, and support tools in a welcoming care model. With transparent pricing, helpful insurance coordination, and a schedule that respects your pace, it offers a kind and clear way to manage weight with confidence.