¿Cómo ahorrar dinero en herramientas de apoyo para bajar de peso

Key points:

1. Many insurance plans cover GLP-1 treatment. Some patients may also be entitled to free dietitian counseling or other support tools.
2. If you have a high-deductible health plan, open an HSA/FSA fund to get pre-tax savings on qualifying weight loss tools like dietary counseling, gym memberships and more.
3. Consider free nutrition and fitness apps to learn more about healthy eating and exercise routines.

Dr. B’s Shed It—a holistic prescription weight loss program—combines affordable GLP-1 medications and science-backed support tools to help you lose weight and shed negative habits. But upgrading your food and fitness habits long term can become expensive.

Studies show that financial stress negatively impacts the mental health of around 40% of American adults—and we don’t think that better health should threaten your emergency fund. So read on to learn how to save while you bulk up on weight loss support tools.

1. Dig into your insurance offerings

If you’re prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, you probably have a health condition that qualifies fitness + nutrition costs as medically necessary.

That means your health insurance plan may cover at least a portion of the costs for weight loss-related diet and exercise services. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), your insurer may even be required to cover nutritional counseling from a licensed healthcare professional!

Otherwise, many insurers offer wellness programs with discounts for meal delivery services, fitness trackers, exercise apps, gym memberships and therapy sessions. Or you may be able to get a specific dollar amount reimbursed for services that cover health benefits. Check your coverage for details.

2. Check (or recheck) your insurance coverage

Every November, patients who get insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace can shop around for insurance coverage. During this time, look around to see if a plan covers brand-name GLP-1 drugs. Consider a high-deductible health plan that will make you eligible to open a Health Savings Account so you can get pre-tax savings on health costs.

If you get your insurance through your employer, make sure to check your coverage yearly. They may switch plans, making you newly eligible for weight loss coverage.

Want to check our coverage but not a fan of paperwork? Use Dr. B’s free online insurance checker. Just share your insurance information, and our team will learn if your plan covers FDA-approved treatments!

3. Put your HSA/FSA to work.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) let you set aside pretax income to pay for medical expenses. If you’re on medical weight loss treatment, related fitness costs can become HSA/FSA-eligible medical expenses!

But those expenses don’t automatically qualify. To pay with HSA funds, you need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a licensed provider detailing how exercise relates to your condition.

Shed It patients can request a free Letter of Medical Necessity during their first consultation.

Otherwise, take Dr. B’s $15 fitness consultation to get a Letter of Medical Necessity online. A provider will review your information and, if you qualify, email the letter to your inbox within a few hours.

4. Look for employee wellness programs

If your job offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you may be entitled to wellness benefits like free therapy sessions. Your employer may also offer a workplace wellness program with an on-site fitness center, free or low-cost gym memberships and discounts to local health food stores. They may even offer financial or scheduling incentives if you commit to the program.

Check with your HR department for details.

5. Find free therapy

Mental health struggles can be a common side effect of medical weight loss. Working through the challenges with a therapist can help. Many insurance plans cover a set amount of yearly sessions with an in-network licensed therapist—just check your copay or deductible contributions before booking your first session. If you see an out-of-network therapist, ask them for paperwork you can file with your insurance company for reimbursement.

Your employer may also offer a wellness benefits plan for therapy sessions. So check with their HR department for details.

Local colleges and universities with psychology or counseling programs may offer free therapy sessions with their (supervised) students. Community centers and places of worship are also excellent places to find counseling support.

6. Simplify your kitchen

Eating well doesn’t require expensive ingredients or hours in the kitchen. Instead of loading up on organics at your favorite chain market, try nearby farm stands or farmer’s markets. Stock up on frozen vegetables—picked and then flash-frozen, they’re packed with nutrients and super fresh. Buy ingredients you love in bulk: rice, oatmeal, lentils, nuts and nut butter can stay fresh for months if stored correctly.

If cooking is not something you want to add to your to-do list, meal delivery services offer affordable and healthy menus! Because you probably feel full faster than you did before treatment, look for ones that offer meal options for those on GLP-1s. That way, you can make sure you get optimal nutrition in your smaller meals.

7. Build strength to build savings

Prescription weight loss medications are prescribed with healthy meal modification and exercise. If a significant amount of weight loss happens too quickly from treatment alone,  damage to bone density, balance and other muscle problems can occur. So Shed It includes discounts to trusted fitness partners. Otherwise…

8. Get outside

Many of us forget that many exercise options exist outside our front door (if we live where it’s safe to do so).

If the idea of walking, running, biking or hiking does not immediately spark joy, try to layer fun into the pre-scheduled time. Make it the only time you listen to a specific playlist, audiobook or podcast. Catch up with friends over the phone (wearing headphones to stay safe). Or stay entirely unplugged, focusing on your thoughts, surroundings and senses.

You can also look for fitness zones in public parks. On top of jungle gym-like structures, they may include resistance machines. In fairer months, keep tabs on free outdoor fitness classes run by town-sponsored organizations.

Shifting small habits can also make a difference. If you take public transportation, walk a few stops where you’d typically ride. If you drive, park your car further from the entrance to your workplace, school or shopping centers. Take stairs instead of elevators.

9. Mind the app

Many free apps can help you focus on your nutrition, fitness and mental health goals. Some tools are already available on your smartwatch or phone!

Here are a few to consider:

• Your smartphone’s health app: Your health app may track your steps, observe your heart rate and mark your sleep habits. Utilize the app to track and get more daily steps. Or sync it to your fitness tracker so that you can monitor your trends over time and adjust as needed.
• An alarm clock: Alarms can be a simple but effective way to remind yourself to move throughout the day. Many fitness trackers offer an optional alert so that you complete a certain number of steps per hour. Or, set an alarm on your phone with a motivating reminder to get up and moving.
• All Trails: The free version of this beloved app displays nearby trails to walk, run, hike or bike. Narrow your search for dog-friendly paths or those by water or wildflower fields. For $35.99 per year, you can download offline maps, get warned if you make a wrong turn, alert friends to your location and more.
• Map My Walk: This top-reviewed app helps users plan a safe walking route with basic logistics in urban or suburban settings.
• Happify:This free app offers science-backed games, journal reflection prompts and quizzes to help reframe negative thought patterns. It’s a subtle form of therapy that’s also fun!

Sources:

Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. (2024). TIAA Institute report finds ties between financial stress and mental health.