Head-to-head dispatch
MDLive vs Pallas Health
Two GLP-1 providers, one scorecard. Both are graded on the same six Desk Score dimensions — here is how they stack up, and which one fits you.
Desk Score
MDLive (an Evernorth/Cigna company) is a large telehealth provider offering urgent care, primary care, dermatology and behavioral health.
Marked down on: GLP-1s only at clinician discretion in a Primary Care routine visit
Desk Score
Pallas Health names all six of the pharmacies that dispense for it and two prescribing clinicians whose NPIs verify in the federal registry — then sells every GLP-1 on a single twelve-week prepay, so the advertised “/mo average” is one $597 or $897 charge divided by three.
Marked down on: There is no month-to-month rung for either compounded molecule — the funnel renders no cadence selector — so the advertised “$199/mo average” is a single $597 charge every twelve weeks divided by three
Pallas Health takes this head-to-head with the higher Desk Score, 87/100 (B+) against 55/100 (C) for MDLive. MDLive still holds its ground where its strengths line up with yours.
Desk Score, dimension by dimension
Same six measured dimensions for both. The red flag marks the stronger side. See the methodology.
MDLive
55/100
C
Pallas Health
87/100
B+
Price transparency
State access
Molecule range
Onboarding speed
Support responsiveness
Licensing & trust
The spec sheet
| Field | MDLive | Pallas Health |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Not disclosed | $199/mo average (compounded injectable; $597 billed every 12 weeks after $139 for the first 4 weeks; no month-to-month tier is sold) |
| Tirzepatide | Not disclosed | $299/mo average (compounded injectable; $897 billed every 12 weeks after $179 for the first 4 weeks; no month-to-month tier is sold) |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | All 50 states + DC (async in 43; 7 states plus DC require one video visit) |
| Brand-name | Yes | Yes |
| Oral option | Injectable only | Injectable only |
| Best for | Readers who want insured or employer-covered patients wanting GLP-1s within full primary care. | Readers who weight named pharmacies and independently verifiable prescribers above cash-flow flexibility, and who can absorb a $597 or $897 charge every twelve weeks rather than a monthly one. |
| Desk Score | 55/100C | 87/100B+ |
The verdict
Desk pick — Pallas HealthPallas Health takes this head-to-head with the higher Desk Score, 87/100 (B+) against 55/100 (C) for MDLive. MDLive still holds its ground where its strengths line up with yours.
Choose MDLive if…
Readers who want insured or employer-covered patients wanting GLP-1s within full primary care.
Not disclosed sema · Not disclosed tirz · Coverage not published
Choose Pallas Health if…
Readers who weight named pharmacies and independently verifiable prescribers above cash-flow flexibility, and who can absorb a $597 or $897 charge every twelve weeks rather than a monthly one.
$199/mo average (compounded injectable; $597 billed every 12 weeks after $139 for the first 4 weeks; no month-to-month tier is sold) sema · $299/mo average (compounded injectable; $897 billed every 12 weeks after $179 for the first 4 weeks; no month-to-month tier is sold) tirz · All 50 states + DC (async in 43; 7 states plus DC require one video visit)
Assume any provider we list may compensate us — we may earn a referral commission at no extra cost to you, and what we file on a provider reads the same either way. Read full breakdowns: MDLive · Pallas Health.
Also here
CoreAge Rx tops every dispatch at 94/100
Whichever of these two you lean toward, the Desk's #1-rated provider outscores them both. The Desk's top dispatch: flat all-in pricing, both molecules, all 50 states — no teaser-rate traps.
More head-to-heads
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Or see the full comparison hub and the complete ranking.
Pricing and verification reflect each provider's public disclosures at last scoring; the Desk Score is our editorial judgment per the methodology. Prices change — confirm on each provider's own site. Not medical advice; see our disclosure.