Short answer
Medical weight loss is weight management supervised by a licensed clinician. It usually includes a medical evaluation, a nutrition and activity plan, regular follow-up and, when a clinician decides it is appropriate, FDA-approved prescription medication or a referral for surgery.
What a program usually includes
- Medical history and evaluation; often lab work.
- A nutrition and physical-activity plan.
- Regular follow-up visits (in person or by video).
- Behavioral support or counseling.
- Prescription medication when appropriate — NIDDK lists the FDA-approved options.
Medical vs commercial programs
Commercial diet programs are run without a clinician. A medical program is run or overseen by one, can treat related conditions and can prescribe. NIDDK suggests asking any program whether a doctor or certified health professional runs or oversees it.
How to choose a clinic: checklist
NIDDK's checklist, applied to clinics:
- Who runs it, and what are their credentials?
- What does it cost from beginning to end, and what is not included?
- Is it in person, online or both?
- What does follow-up look like, and is there a plan to keep weight off?
- Will the staff work with your own doctor?
First-visit question checklist: print it.
In-clinic or online
When surgery is discussed
See types of weight loss surgery and who qualifies, or try the eligibility quiz.
Find a clinic
Some clinics whose website mentions this service (open your state for the full list):
- 360 WellnessAltoona, PA(814) 667-5820
- Medical weight management
- GLP-1 program
- Telehealth visits
- Nutrition counseling
- Bariatric surgery
- AZ Vitality and WellnessPeoria, AZ(602) 540-3547
- Medical weight management
- GLP-1 program
- Nutrition counseling
- AZ Weight & Metabolic HealthMesa, AZ(602) 638-1905
- Medical weight management
- GLP-1 program
- Telehealth visits
- Nutrition counseling
- Advanced Metabolic SolutionsAlexandria, LA(318) 321-1914
- Medical weight management
- GLP-1 program
- Telehealth visits
- Aly HealthOrlando, FL(888) 890-8692
- Medical weight management
- GLP-1 program
- Telehealth visits
- Nutrition counseling
- Bariatric surgery
Frequently asked questions
Is medical weight loss covered by insurance?
Sometimes the visits are, sometimes not; medication coverage is separate. Use our insurance checklist.
How is it different from a med spa?
Some med spas run medical weight programs with a licensed clinician; others are aesthetic only. We exclude aesthetic-only spas from the directory.
Sources
- NIDDK — Choosing a safe & successful weight-loss program (accessed Nov 2, 2026)
- NIDDK — Prescription medications to treat overweight & obesity (accessed Nov 2, 2026)
- CDC — Adult BMI categories (accessed Nov 2, 2026)
Written by the WeightMapGo editorial team (editorial policy). Medical review: pending. Sources checked Nov 2, 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.