Charlotte, North Carolina
A Weight Loss Doctor in Charlotte That Takes Insurance
Yes. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. Self-pay options are also available. Here is exactly what that covers, what it does not, and how to find out where you stand before you book.
Prefer to call? (980) 306-2060
Care directed by Dr. Joseph Okoye, MD, FACP, board-certified internal medicine, practicing medicine for over 35 years.
Plans We Accept
- Medicare
- North Carolina Medicaid
- South Carolina Medicaid
- TRICARE
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- MedCost
This list is not exhaustive. If your plan is not listed, call (980) 306-2060 and our team can confirm participation.
We also accept CareCredit, HSA, and FSA for eligible medical services.
The One Thing Most People Get Wrong
Your visit and your medication are two separate insurance benefits.
Almost every frustrating surprise in medical weight loss comes from this. "Does the clinic take my insurance" and "will my plan pay for Wegovy" are different questions with different answers, and one does not predict the other.
Coverage depends on your plan, the service being provided, and your individual benefit. In practice that means:
- Your medical benefit covers the office visit, the physician evaluation, lab work, and body composition testing. This is the part our participation with your plan affects directly.
- Your pharmacy benefit covers the medication, if your plan includes weight management drugs at all. Some plans cover them outright, many require prior authorization first, and some exclude them entirely.
So it is entirely normal for your visits to be covered while your medication needs prior authorization, or for your medication to be covered while you owe a copay on the visit. Neither is a mistake. They are separate benefits doing separate things.
We also walk through the prior authorization process step by step, including what happens if a request is denied.
Our team can help with insurance and prior-authorization requirements, but the health plan is the final authority on coverage and patient cost.
How to Find Out Where You Stand
- Send us your information. The screening form takes a few minutes. Our team reviews it and comes back to you.
- Or call us at (980) 306-2060. Have your insurance card in front of you.
- Bring your card and a photo ID to your visit. If you have recent lab results, bring those too.
- We handle the prior authorization. If your plan requires documentation of your BMI, your weight-related conditions, and what you have already tried, we prepare and submit it, then follow up.
Here is what to expect at your first visit.
Coverage Guides by Plan
The rules genuinely differ by plan type. We wrote a guide for each rather than flatten them into one answer.
Medicare
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge covers Wegovy, the Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo at $50 a month for people who qualify, through December 2027.
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge guideNorth Carolina Medicaid
How NC Medicaid handles the visit, the medication, and prior authorization.
NC Medicaid coverage guideSouth Carolina Medicaid
How SC Medicaid handles weight management care, including for patients we see virtually.
SC Medicaid coverage guideTRICARE
What TRICARE covers, what it excludes, and how referrals and pharmacy rules work.
TRICARE coverage guideCommercial and employer plans
Where coverage varies the most, and what formularies and drug tiers actually decide.
Full insurance and coverage guideNo coverage, or an exclusion
Manufacturer savings programs, transparent self-pay pricing, HSA, FSA, and CareCredit.
Savings programsIf Your Plan Excludes Weight Loss Medication
Some employer plans carve out weight management drugs entirely. That is a plan design decision, not a judgment about you, and it does not end the conversation.
- Your medical visits may still be covered, which is the physician care, the labs, and the monitoring.
- Manufacturer savings programs reduce medication cost for some patients.
- Self-pay pricing is transparent. Initial consultation and monthly follow-up costs are published on our pricing page, with no membership required.
- If you have a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, or sleep apnea, the coverage picture can change. Dr. Okoye works that out with you.
Why a Physician-Led Clinic Matters for Insurance
Prior authorization is not a form you fill in once. Plans want documented BMI, documented weight-related conditions, and a record of what has already been tried. A physician who evaluates you properly produces that documentation as a by-product of good care. A prescription service usually does not.
It matters after approval too. As you lose weight, blood pressure and diabetes medications often need adjusting. That is internal medicine, not weight loss coaching. See physician-led versus online care.
Medications We Prescribe
We prescribe brand-name, FDA-approved medications filled through licensed retail pharmacies. We do not prescribe compounded GLP-1 medications.
Read about Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo, or the full GLP-1 medications guide.
Where We See Patients
In person at 1220 Eastway Drive, Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28205, and virtually throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. Tanita body composition analysis requires an in-person visit at our Charlotte office. See the communities we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take my insurance?
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. Self-pay options are also available. Our list is not exhaustive, so call (980) 306-2060 with your card and our team can confirm participation.
Does being in-network mean my medication is covered?
No. Coverage for medical services and coverage for prescription medications are separate benefits. Your visits can be covered while your medication requires prior authorization or is excluded. Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and commercial plans each handle this differently.
How long does prior authorization take?
It varies by plan. Our team prepares and submits the documentation and follows up on it rather than leaving it with you. Your plan makes the final decision and sets the timeline.
What if I do not have insurance?
Self-pay is available with transparent pricing and no membership. You can also use HSA or FSA funds for eligible medical services, and CareCredit financing. See pricing and self-pay options.
Do you accept Medicaid for weight loss?
Yes, both North Carolina and South Carolina Medicaid. How the medication side works differs by state program, so read the NC Medicaid or SC Medicaid guide.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of your current medications, and any recent lab results. That is enough for us to start.
Find Out What Your Plan Covers
One short form, or one phone call, and our team will tell you where you stand.
Or call (980) 306-2060
Charlotte Weight Loss and Wellness Clinic, PLLC
1220 Eastway Drive, Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28205
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Treatment recommendations are individualized and based on medical evaluation, health history, medication safety considerations, insurance coverage, medication availability, and clinician judgment.