Researching GLP-1
Back in mid-2023, I was on a mission to discover the best GLP-1 weight loss support options. I’d been following the buzz around tirzepatide—originally sold under the brand name Mounjaro for diabetes—because of its dual mechanism and impressive weight loss trial results. Eventually, it received approval under the name Zepbound for weight loss, and I knew I wanted to give it a try.
First, I started digging into my insurance coverage by searching the web for my insurance plan in combination with “weight loss medication.” I uncovered this prior authorization (PA) document, confirming it was potentially covered by my plan. I met the BMI criteria (I was a few ticks above 40 BMI). Before this, I tried calorie restriction programs like Weight Watchers and Noom, plus walking three miles daily—but the scale wouldn’t budge. Confident I fit the requirements, I booked an appointment with my doctor to discuss next steps.
Talking to My Doctor
During our conversation, my doctor explained they’d seen limited success getting GLP-1 weight loss support meds like tirzepatide covered through standard insurance pathways. He recommended seeking an office, local or online, that specialized in GLP-1s to handle the prior authorization or “PA” efficiently. After calling a few places with long waitlists, I landed on PlushCare. They had me fill out a questionnaire asking what I’d tried before, any comorbidities, etc., which aligned with the PA requirements. After verifying my information and lab results, the PlushCare physician prescribed Zepbound 2.5 mg with a one-month follow-up.
Prior Authorization & Finding a Pharmacy
The prescription went to my local CVS, although we knew the PA still needed final approval. Sure enough, CVS contacted me to say my medication wasn’t covered. I told them to hold off trying to switch it with my doctor, because we were working on the PA. Within about three days, the online doctor’s office submitted the PA to my insurance’s pharmacy side (Express Scripts), and about five business days later, everything was approved.
I wish that was the end of the process, but in early 2024, Zepbound faced a shortage. My local CVS couldn’t stock it, so I called around until a small independent pharmacy confirmed they could get it from a different supplier. They filled my prescription at my normal copay—huge relief!
Here’s how the rest of my fills played out:
- 2.5 mg Dose: Filled at the independent pharmacy.
- 5 mg Dose: Same pharmacy could get it, no problem.
- 7.5 mg Dose: Pharmacy couldn’t source that one, so I hunted down another smaller grocery-store-based pharmacy with a different distributor.
- Subsequent Fills: I bounced between that grocery store pharmacy and Costco, whichever had supply.
Losing Weight with GLP-1 and Effortless Diet Tracking
I noticed reduced appetite almost immediately. At first, I maintained my routine of walking three miles daily (about an hour) and logging all my meals, focusing mainly on calories. My target was 1,500–2,000 calories a day, factoring in the calories I burned from walking. This helped me lose around two pounds a week initially. I wish I could call this effortless diet tracking. But it was pretty time consuming looking up everything I ate or every exercise I did.
Six months in, I hit a plateau. To break through, I increased my focus on protein tracking and made the following changes:
- Switched to weightlifting 4 times a week.
- Adjusted my walking routine to the elliptical for more intensity.
- Aimed for 150 grams of protein on lifting days and about 100 grams otherwise.
This new approach let me continue losing around 0.5–1 pound per week, which felt sustainable. Again, I wish I could say it was protein tracking made easy, but I found the tracking pretty time consuming. Today, I’m still tracking my calorie and protein intake but have added Pilates and hiking into the mix.
How VoCal (Voice Operated Calorie Tracker) Changed Everything
I built VoCal—an AI calorie tracker that doubles as a voice calorie counter—precisely because I hated the chore of searching every single meal to figure out the calories and protein content. With VoCal, I can:
- Speak (or type) to log what I ate instantly.
- Keep an eye on my calorie intake with the perfect app for calorie tracking with Wegovy and other GLP-1s. The app can help with meal planning and general weight loss strategies in the US, Europe, and Canada.
- Quickly check how many calories I’ve burned during exercise.
- Benefit from its minimalist design, which I call a minimalist calorie counting app—no clunky graphs, no confusing tables, just AI-based fitness tracker simplicity.
VoCal subtracts my net calories burned from my daily intake, helping me stay within my 1,500–2,000 range. It even offers general diet advice if I want help deciding between meal options—think of it like a personal nutritionist, trainer, and friend rolled into one.
More Hoops With Insurance
By the time I reached the 10 mg dose, it worked so well I decided to hold steady there. That’s when I discovered a tricky insurance rule: after the third fill, Express Scripts required me to switch to mail order for maintenance meds. But ironically, they don’t cover Zepbound via mail order.
Here’s how the confusion played out:
- Pharmacy Reject: Costco tried to fill my fourth 10 mg script but it got rejected. They assumed my insurance wouldn’t cover it and called my doctor.
- Insurance Override: I told them to pause, then I called Express Scripts. They said because they don’t fill it via mail order, I needed to go to CVS for a 3-month supply filled locally.
- Back-and-Forth: My doctor switched the prescription to CVS for a 3-month supply, which was again rejected. We found out Express Scripts did not allow 3 months of this type of medication at local pharmacies either. So it was in a weird limbo where we could not fill 1 month because my insurance required 3 month fills on maintenance meds, and I could not fill 3 months because 3 months was not allowed for this specific med.
- Final Workaround: Each month, I have to call Express Scripts and request an override that allows me to fill a 1-month supply locally. Then we rinse and repeat.
It’s a hassle, but because of my dillagence, I haven’t missed a single dose. Thanks to the combination of GLP-1 weight loss support and my voice calorie tracker app, the scale keeps moving in the right direction—down. I’m more energized, and keeping track of my nutrition has never felt easier.
In Summary
I’ve lost over 65 pounds in a year by combining Zepbound (tirzepatide), consistent exercise, and VoCal—my AI diet tracker / voice calorie tracker concept that’s now in calorie tracking app beta. It’s a minimalist calorie counting app that simplifies everything, especially for people using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Ozempic in the US, Canada and EU. Despite the insurance runaround, I’ve proven it’s possible to secure coverage, find pharmacies with stock, and stay consistent in my weight loss journey.
If you’re looking for GLP-1 weight loss solutions or ways to create a truly effortless diet tracking routine, I hope this story inspires you to explore new tools, persist through insurance hurdles, and keep your eyes on the ultimate goal: better health.
Stay tuned for more details on how I structured my diet, exercise, and day-to-day routine—or join the Beta for VoCal to experience a next-level, voice calorie counter approach to logging your meals!
Ready to Transform Your Journey?
Join the Beta Access Waitlist Today!
Be among the first to experience effortless calorie, protein, and exercise tracking with VoCal. Join the waitlist to gain early access and help shape the future of fitness tracking.
- Early access to our beta version
- Influence product development with your feedback
- Exclusive updates and insider tips
- Experience AI Minimalism: Ask VoCal a quick question and get instant answers—no clutter, no hassle.
- Track Calories and Protein Effortlessly: Whether you’re on GLP-1 weight loss support, practicing calorie tracking for Wegovy, or simply want a more intuitive, AI-based fitness tracker.
Remember: GLP-1s, persistence, and a voice calorie tracker app can make all the difference. Keep going, and don’t let anything stand in your way!