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Ro offers a convenient way to access services and products for sexual health, fertility, weight loss, and skin and hair health. However, reviews are mixed.
Ro is a direct-to-consumer telehealth company that offers a range of prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products designed to address a variety of health issues.
Modern Fertility, Ro weight loss, and Ro at-home sperm kit are just three examples of the company’s popular products and services.
However, while some may appreciate the convenience Ro offers, its online reputation is mixed.
This article takes an in-depth look at Ro, including what it is, what products and services it offers, and what customers are saying.
Ro is a telehealth platform that aims to help bring healthcare home, with products and services designed to address a wide range of health concerns.
Ro allows you to connect with a doctor, nurse, or coach for free on its website or app. It also provides a variety of prescription and OTC medications, which are delivered in discreet packaging directly to your door.
Here’s a quick look at the conditions Ro treats and how it works:
- What Ro treats: Ro offers medications to address issues related to sexual health, weight loss, fertility, hair loss, and skin health. This also includes at-home ovulation tests, birth control, and treatments for erectile dysfunction, herpes, cold sores, and more.
- Insurance: The products and services Ro offers are not covered by insurance, meaning you need to pay any costs out of pocket. Some products may be eligible for reimbursement from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).
- Cost: With the exception of the Ro Body Program, your online visit is free in most cases. However, the cost of medications can vary depending on the specific medication, dose, and shipping frequency.
- Ro Body Program: The company’s weight management program pairs weight loss medications with a curriculum designed to promote healthy habits. It costs $99 for the first month, followed by $145 for each month thereafter, not including the cost of medications.
Pros
- offers treatment plans for a wide range of health conditions
- offers a convenient and more accessible way to receive care
- provides fast, discreet shipping for prescription medications
- includes unlimited follow-ups with a healthcare professional
- provides both OTC and prescription treatments
- some products eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement
Cons
- products and services are not covered by insurance
- may not be suitable for everyone, including people without internet access, people who prefer face-to-face interactions, and individuals with limited experience using technology
- some medications can be expensive
- some supplement products are not in full compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supplement label guidelines
- may prescribe compounded GLP-1 medications, which are not approved by the FDA
- some reviewers complain about slow response times, poor communication, and issues with shipping and billing
- adults with certain health issues that can be treated virtually
- people living in rural areas with limited access to local healthcare professionals
- individuals seeking a fast, simple, and convenient way to refill certain prescriptions
- people with physical disabilities or limited access to transportation
- people under 18 years old
- individuals who haven’t seen a healthcare professional within the past 3 years
- people with chronic health issues that require more comprehensive care
- people who prefer in-person interactions with a healthcare professional
- people who prefer a telehealth service that accepts their insurance
- individuals experiencing serious injuries or medical emergencies
- people without internet access or with limited experience using technology
After joining, you can complete a virtual visit with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner, and receive a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
You can also get prescribed medications delivered directly to your door in as little as 2 days. These medications are sent from the company’s network of nationwide pharmacies.
Additionally, you can chat with a doctor, nurse, or coach on the Ro platform for free at any time to address any health concerns.
It’s important to note that Ro is not a replacement for speaking with a primary care physician or medical care team. Instead, it’s designed to provide complementary services to better support your health needs from home.
Cost: $99 for the first month, followed by $145 each month thereafter. The cost of the program does not cover medications, which are billed separately.
About: The Ro Body Program is Ro’s weight loss program. It claims to help you lose an average of 15% to 20% of your body weight within 12 months.
This claim is based on the results of clinical trials that evaluated the effects of the weight loss medications offered through the Ro Body Program, including Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide).
However, keep in mind that these trials received funding from the manufacturers of these medications, which means there’s a potential for bias and conflict of interest.
How the Body Program works
The Ro Body Program includes the following:
- personal coaching from a dedicated health coach
- an at-home testing kit to evaluate your metabolism
- ongoing support from a healthcare professional, including up to 24 video sessions per year
- a step-by-step online curriculum to help you build healthy habits, with lessons focused on nutrition, sleep, emotional health, and exercise
Prescription weight loss medications may also be recommended for those who qualify.
What you can eat
According to the company, instead of cutting out entire food groups, the Ro Body Program aims to help teach you to choose more nutritious options but also help you find a balance so that you can still enjoy your favorite foods.
The Ro Body Program also includes access to prescription weight loss medications, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and
These medications
Ro also offers dual GLP-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) agonists. These medications
Ro prescribes several types of weight loss medications, including:
- Wegovy
- Ozempic
- Zepbound
Wegovy was approved by the
You can learn more about Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound in our comprehensive guides.
A note on compounded drugs
According to Ro, compounded GLP-1 medications are also available through Ro at a lower cost. Drug compounding is a process that involves mixing, combining, or altering the ingredients of a drug to create a new medication.
Though these compounded GLP-1 medications contain the same active ingredient as branded versions, like Ozempic, compounded medications
Ro offers a variety of prescription medications and OTC products. Here’s a brief look at some of the key additional products and services that Ro provides.
Sexual health
Ro offers a variety of OTC products and prescription medications to address issues related to sexual health.
Some of the conditions they treat include:
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
- premature ejaculation
- cold sores
- genital herpes
- low testosterone
Ro uses discreet packaging, with free delivery directly to your door.
Fertility
Modern Fertility recently joined Ro to provide products designed to help you navigate and learn about your fertility.
A few of the products offered by Ro include:
- fertility hormone tests
- prenatal vitamins
- ovulation tests
- pregnancy tests
- birth control
The service also offers a free quiz, which provides personalized product recommendations based on your specific goals and needs.
Hair
Ro provides many different prescription and OTC products to treat hair loss in men and women, including:
- topical sprays
- oral medications
- shampoos and conditioners
- hair support supplements
Prescriptions for Latisse are also available for those who qualify, which is a medication that can help grow longer, fuller, and darker lashes.
Skin
Ro offers prescription skin care treatments, which are customized based on your skin type, goals, and specific concerns.
Your treatment may contain a blend of ingredients depending on your needs, such as:
- tretinoin
- niacinamide
- azelaic acid
- vitamin E
- tranexamic acid
- hyaluronic acid
- ceramides
A healthcare professional will tailor your formulation to your skin concerns. Detailed information on each ingredient will also be listed in your treatment plan.
A 24-hour moisturizer is also available and can be paired with your prescription for an additional fee.
Daily health
In addition to prescription medications, Ro also offers several OTC supplements to support daily health, including a:
- prenatal multivitamin
- men’s multivitamin
- testosterone support supplement
These products can be purchased without completing an online visit with a healthcare professional.
Ro prioritizes transparency by providing the price for each medication on its website, along with details on the safety and possible side effects.
Prices can range quite a bit. For example, it costs $16 per month for minoxidil, a generic medication that treats hair loss, and $110 per month for Latisse, a treatment for short eyelashes.
Additionally, prices for prescription and OTC medications can also vary depending on the specific medication, dosage, and shipping frequency, as well as whether you choose to purchase generic or branded medications.
The company’s weight loss program costs $99 for the first month, followed by $145 each month thereafter. The cost of the program does not cover weight loss medications, which are billed separately and may or may not be covered by your insurance.
Ro is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and currently holds an A+ rating from the organization.
All Ro healthcare professionals are licensed in the United States, and the company claims to perform a background check and license verification process for each professional. Their resume, medical license, and credentials are also available for members to view on the platform.
The company has been involved in several lawsuits regarding digital accessibility, unsolicited marketing text messages, and copyright infringement.
Former employees have also voiced concerns regarding the company’s workplace culture and employee morale.
Customer reviews are mixed
When it comes to Ro’s reputation online, people’s opinions are mixed.
Happy customers frequently report that the:
- service is convenient and affordable
- customer service team is professional and responsive
- healthcare professionals are thorough
- packaging for products is discreet
On the other hand, less favorable reviews mention:
- dissatisfaction with the company’s return policy
- issues with deliveries
- difficulty canceling recurring subscriptions
- being billed twice in the same month
- lack of clear communication, especially after initial consultations
Besides Ro, there are several other telehealth platforms available that offer a similar set of products and services.
Here are a few other popular options:
- Lemonaid: Lemonaid offers virtual visits and prescription medications to address a variety of health concerns, including mental health, men’s health, women’s health, and more. It’s designed to provide convenient and affordable care, with a flat fee of $25 for each visit.
- Hims and Hers: Offering support for sexual health, mental health, skin care, hair loss, and weight loss, Hims is a telehealth service that caters specifically to men. The company has a sister site, called Hers, which offers similar services that cater to women. Like Ro, online visits are free and prices vary for specific medications and products.
- PlushCare: PlushCare is a membership-based service that connects you to a physician to address concerns related to primary care, mental health, and weight loss. It’s one of the few telehealth services that’s in-network with many major insurance plans and provides affordable self-pay options for those without insurance.
Here’s a closer look at how these telehealth services compare:
Ro services and products are not covered by insurance. However, some products may be eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement.
Yes, Ro is a telehealth platform that is BBB accredited. The company provides virtual consultations with licensed U.S. healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, and offers personalized treatment plans designed to address a variety of health concerns.
Ro offers several prescription medications that may be beneficial for weight loss, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound. Ro also provides information to help you make healthy lifestyle changes and build healthy habits.
However, there’s no research to support the effectiveness of the Ro Body Program specifically. Additionally, there’s limited information available on the specific guidelines of the program or how it compares to other program for weight management.
Ro can be a convenient and cost-effective option for people interested in improving certain aspects of health or treating specific medical conditions without having to leave home.
In fact, the digital health platform offers a range of prescription medications, OTC products, and at-home testing kits designed to support fertility, skin and hair health, sexual wellness, and weight management.
However, it might not be a good option for everyone, including people with health conditions that require more comprehensive care, people who prefer in-person interactions with a healthcare professional, and those with limited experience using technology.
It also has mixed reviews online, with common complaints around its billing and delivery processes. Some people also find communication to be lacking, especially after the initial visit.
Finally, keep in mind that Ro should not be used as a replacement for a primary care physician or medical care team.