And so I am on a search for another telehealth company to get my tirzepatide. Ugh. I am unhappy having to start over searching for GLP-1 healthcare that I can 1) Afford 2) Get my needs met.
Why I Quit Mochi
Mochi Health quit using Hallandale Pharmacy. That is the main reason. Hallandale is a fantastic pharmacy, but Mochi bought Aequita Pharmacy and will be using them exclusively. While Aequita is a 503A pharmacy, same as Hallandale, the word around the Net is how horrible Aequita’s products are. I am not one to listen to gossip (reddit), so searched more reputable sources for information (Google Reviews, Yelp, RN and MD groups that focused on GLP-1s) and the message was the same; Aequita is a low-quality pharmacy with a low-quality product.
Now What?
I am sifting through the massive amount of telehealth options out there trying to 1) Find someone who uses Hallandale, which limits things considerably, and 2) Find out what the heck these places charge!
Even Googling or using AI to find out the prices of some of these places is nigh on impossible. At first, I kept digging for the price. But after 20-25 minutes on two different sites and not being able to find their price of 15 mg. tirzepatide, I started counting keystrokes. If it took me more than 7 keystrokes to find their price, I left the site. Why seven? It just seemed like a good point to give up before screaming, “YOU’RE HIDING EVERYTHING!!! GIVE IT UP ALREADY!” I’d already done that a couple of times. Now my throat hurts.
An aside for anyone that cares.
You can lie about who you are and what you want and why… and I did… to get through the faux gatekeepers. There were sites that even directed me to the “best answer” in order to pass their test.
See this pic? True stuff.
There were 13 different conditions or illnesses listed. But you were forewarned not to click on any of them if you wanted the medication! Needless to say, I will not be going with this company.
Back to price searching. Even if I got to the price of tirzepatide in under 7 keystrokes, I abandoned these kinds of sites immediately. And no, I will not tell you which ones. I am cranky, but I am not stupid.
The Search is On!
I’ll keep you apprised of my failures and successes. I have four 15 mg. Mounjaro pens and one 12.5 Mounjaro pen left and another two weeks of Hallandale compounded tirzepatide.
You can see the box of Ozempic I also have in my refrigerator. I was denied Mounjaro a month ago, after being on it, and paid for by insurance, for an entire year. Then I was prescribed Ozempic because insurance wanted me to go on Ozempic for year to prove it doesn’t work as well a Mounjaro. Never mind my diabetes is in remission. Never mind I am infinitely healthier. Never mind I was on Ozempic during one month of the shortage and my blood glucoses and my weight climbed immediately. They want me to get sick again. Fat again. Just to “prove” to them I need Mounjaro. I have told the pharmacy to not fill any more Ozempic for me. I am still in the appeal process and will fill you in as things go on with them.
With all that I have, it isn’t as if I am going to be without my meds in half a second. But, it takes time to screen and be screened and I want someone who is smart, kind, has medical providers, and yes, uses Hallandale Pharmacy.
Wish me luck!
I think Amble uses Hallandale in Florida. I know their prices are very competitive. Maybe that’s an option?
Amble won’t take me because I am a diabetic.
Well, darn. I always figured if I had to go with compound (because of shortages) I would just lie about being T2D. I’m not proud of that, but I’d do it.
Part of what is hard with me trying to lie about not being diabetic is my prescriptions and proof I have been on 15 mg. are all with Mounjaro. It is obvious, because I am using Mounjaro, that I am diabetic. If I wanted to start back at 2.5 (which I was never on… I started at 10 mg. Mounjaro because I had been on the highest dose of Trulicity for 6 months previously), I could get away with it. But I do not want to do that.
Hey, I saw you on Downsized a bit ago and have been checking your blog periodically. Congratulations on your success! Have you looked at Join Fridays? (Countess of Shopping on YouTube for discount code) I believe they still use Hallendale as one of their providers. Also, a friend used Valhalla Vitality and has lost 150 lbs. (chasbarnes_Chas every day on TikTok for a discount code) I don’t know if Valhalla currently use Hallandale but I think they may have in the past.
Joyce,
Thank you!!! I will look at both of those! Thanks so much. I have an appt. with my Endo to ask if she will write the Rx directly. I am still researching, though… so this helps LOTS! AND discount codes… even better! Thanks so much. And glad you wander over to read. Maybe when I get my podcast up, you will listen, too.
Thanks again!
Can you elaborate on why you quit Mochi? Did you have a bad experience with a prescription coming from Aequita? Or was it purely based on “word on the street”? Genuinely curious what the thought process was because as you mentioned, it’s definitely a pain to switch.
Sorry it’s taken so long to answer, Jim!!
The reviews of Aequita had not been positive. The people I know with Mochi seem pleased with them. I just really, really want Hallandale. I am now on the damn Ozempic and had given up on getting compounded when the FDA said the shortage was over. Now that the FDA is “reconsidering” that ruling, the telehealth companies are overrun with people wanting to stock up. (I don’t know where people are getting the $$ for it! I don’t have that kind of $$.) I guess I’m sitting and waiting to see what the ruling is before choosing somewhere to go for compounding… IF we can even have compounded tirzepatide anywhere. In the meantime, I am still in an appeal (the 2nd) with my insurance… it has gone to people this time instead of to a computer dispensing DENIED on almost every PA they get. Crossing my fingers.