Certain medical conditions are not compatible with the Form program. We will inquire about these during the enrollment process. For your medical safety, it’s important that you provide accurate and complete information at all times.
After completing the enrollment process, we have a few simple onboarding steps before you meet your Form Health Care Team:
As part of the enrollment process, we will request your medical records and have you sign a medical release so we can share information with your primary care physician (PCP). It’s important that your Form Health doctor has access to your medical records and PCP so he/she can provide high quality, safe and coordinated medical care.
With Form Health, you will eat real foods available in regular grocery stores—not expensive, pre-packaged diet meals. Our healthy eating approach focuses on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and beneficial starches and fats. The goal is to teach you how to form healthy, sustainable habits.
No, Form appointments are delivered entirely through telehealth, so you won’t have any of the hassles of office visits! Form does not have any physical locations, but offers weight loss management in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You’ll have frequent video visits with your Form physician and regular visits with your Registered Dietitian, support from your team through messaging, and access to educational tools through the Form app.
Telehealth weight loss programs have been found to increase adherence to the program given the ease of scheduling and attending appointments. Increased adherence leads to increased success.
You do not need a doctor referral to complete enrollment at Form Health. However, it is possible you would need a doctor's referral to have your care covered by insurance, if that is something that your insurance requires. If you need a referral, we will help you obtain it after you sign up.
We do require that people who enroll in Form Health have an active relationship with a Primary Care Professional. We will be in communication with their office once you sign up in order to obtain medical records, which is part of ensuring that we get to know you and your medical history very well, and critical to ensuring your safety. We also feel that it is important for your primary care provider to be informed on all aspects of your health, so we will provide them with regular updates on your participation in our practice and medical care we are providing.
Form Health is a medical weight loss program delivered entirely through telehealth. While telehealth is a great way to deliver medical care, especially medical weight loss, it limits our ability to perform a physical examination, an important component for evaluating overall health.
We require you to have had a primary care visit in the last 12 months to ensure that you have a recent, complete evaluation of your health. When you join Form Health, you will sign a medical records release that allows us to obtain your most recent records from your Primary Care Provider. This information provides our physicians with the comprehensive information they need in order to safely provide you with a treatment plan.
We also require you to have an ongoing relationship with a PCP in the event that we identify issues during your weight loss journey that are not directly related to your metabolic health. In those cases, we need to work closely with your PCP to be sure you get the evaluation and treatment you need. Communicating and partnering with your primary care team is a way to provide you with coordinated, safe and comprehensive care of the highest caliber.
At Form Health, you must have a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with a weight-related medical problem. Weight-related medical problems include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. This is based on guidelines for prescribing FDA-approved weight loss medications, a part of the Form program.
Form Health was founded in 2019 and launched its services in 2020 to expand access to expert medical care for patients living with excess weight.
Form Health doctor visits, lab tests, and medications costs are covered by most major private insurances and Medicare. You will be responsible for any copay or deductible, just as you would for an in-person doctor visit.
If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover the Form Health program, we offer a self-pay plan for $299 per month that covers your Form doctor visits in addition to appointments with your Registered Dietitian, unlimited messaging and access to the Form platform. You are responsible for the cost of any lab work and medications. The self-pay plan monthly fee is HSA/FSA eligible.
The “patient responsibility” for your Form Health doctor visit will vary depending on your health plan. You will be responsible for any copay or deductible, just as you would for an in-office doctor visit.
Form Health works with most major private health insurances and Medicare. If you have questions about your coverage, a Form Care Advisor can help. Please call (617) 505-1520 or email billing@formhealth.co and our Care Advisor can verify your coverage on your behalf.
Form Health doctors can prescribe FDA-approved weight loss medications which are proven to result in meaningful weight loss by decreasing cravings and suppressing appetite. Your Form doctor will evaluate your medical history and consider your weight loss and health goals to determine if medication is appropriate for you, and if so, which would be most effective.
Form only prescribes FDA-approved medications. Safe use of weight loss medication requires regular medical monitoring, so active participation in our program is essential.
The Form Health program is focused on helping patients achieve sustained weight loss. When an individual has struggled to lose weight despite implementing lifestyle changes, FDA-approved medications may be considered. Most Form patients are prescribed medication. These medications are used in combination with lifestyle changes addressing nutrition, physical activity and mindset shifts. Our expert team considers each patient’s unique medical history and personal needs before prescribing FDA-approved medication for weight loss.
Whether a medication is given in pill form or through injection depends on how well it can be absorbed by the body. Contrave® is a FDA-approved weight loss medication prescribed by Form doctors that is available in pill form, while Zepbound®, Saxenda®, and Wegovy® are administered as injections. Most patients find injectable medications are easy to use as they come in a pen form with a small needle. Injections are given into an area of fat (in the abdomen, outer thighs or back of the arms) just under the skin, not into a muscle or vein. Most patients experience little to no pain and occasionally have mild skin irritation or bruising.
At Form Health, patients have easy access to their doctors through chat messaging in the Form app and at monthly video appointments. With any medication there is potential for side effects, and Form doctors have experience managing them. If, however, it is determined that the current medication is not a good fit, your doctor will review alternatives as there are several FDA-approved medications that can be used for weight management.
Most FDA-approved weight loss medications work by changing chemical signals in the brain to reduce hunger and cravings thereby helping patients achieve lifestyle changes, like making healthier food choices and reducing portion sizes, that promote weight loss and ultimately maintain weight loss long term. These include medications such as Contrave, Saxenda, Zepbound, and Wegovy. Additionally, Saxenda, Zepbound, and Wegovy have the effect of slowing digestion which can promote feelings of fullness.
Medications are not a one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss and sometimes it can take time to find the right one. That is why at Form Health you work one-on-one with a Board-Certified doctor who has specialized training and expertise in weight loss. Additionally, your doctor and Registered Dietitian work with you to understand if factors such as nutrition, environment, and other medications may be affecting your weight loss progress. You will meet with your doctor and Registered Dietitian on a regular basis and so they can monitor your progress, and make changes to your plan if necessary.
Medication costs will vary depending on your insurance plan and what is covered. Your Form Health Care Team works diligently to review insurance coverage, submit prior authorizations, and advocate on your behalf. If a particular first choice medication is not covered, your doctor may be able to recommend alternatives depending on a careful review of your medical history and what is deemed most appropriate to meet your health goals.
If you are not satisfied with the Form Health program within 30 days, we will refund your onboarding fee.
You can cancel your Form Health membership at any time. Our cancellation policy is detailed in our Terms of Use policy. If you are not satisfied with the Form program, we will refund your onboarding fee if you cancel within 30 days of your first provider appointment.And of course, we are always here if you wish to rejoin!