Weight Loss Treatment FAQ

There are a variety of eligibility factors that your healthcare practitioners will assess. However at minimum, Canadians living with obesity who have a BMI over 30 OR with a BMI 27-30 who have a medical comorbidity like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Patients must either reside in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, or British Columbia and be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Patients are required to be in Canada while receiving care.

What Weight Loss Medication Do You Prescribe?

Our healthcare practitioners currently prescribe a variety of injectable and pill based medications.

How Much Does the Program Cost? 

We charge an initial program fee of $99. This covers:

1. Your initial video visit with your Felix healthcare practitioner.
2. Access to Felix’s Weight Management course, our holistic online resource that helps you make lasting, sustainable lifestyle changes.
3. Some essential supplies you may need for your prescribed treatment.

You will be charged this initial fee only if and when you are approved to join the program.

You will have a monthly follow-up visit with your healthcare practitioner to monitor your progress and make any adjustments to your treatment to make sure it is working for you. These follow-up visits cost $40 each. Once you achieve a steady-state, your visit schedule will change based on your healthcare practitioner’s guidance.

Treatment  costs for the program are separate and will vary depending on your personalized plan  and private insurance coverage. Without insurance, the treatment  costs vary from $300 per fill  to approximately $500 in some cases.

If you have insurance coverage, our Felix Pharmacy partner will submit the insurance claim directly on your behalf. Continue reading here more information on pricing.

How much is covered by insurance? Will Felix help fill out my insurance forms to help cover it?

Most private insurance plans do not cover these treatments for weight loss. Patients with private drug plans may be eligible for coverage, depending on the insurance provider and specific plan. Contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your coverage. 

If your insurance provider requires special authorization in order to provide coverage, your prescribing practitioner may be able to complete this for. If the required information is limited to your care through Felix (ie. does not require information regarding past treatments received externally), and if your practitioner deems it appropriate to do so, they can complete this for a fee. 

To learn more about insurance form completion at Felix, please contact our support team at hello@felixforyou.ca!  

We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during your online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for, before shipping your treatment.‍

What Results Should I Expect from the Program? 

Results may look different for each individual based on their unique situation. It depends on what your goals are and what you are considering results. It is best to discuss any potential results with your Felix healthcare practitioner.

How Long Do I Need to Stay on My Treatment Plan? 

Decisions regarding the length of your weight management plan is a decision best made with your healthcare practitioner in consideration of several factors, including your lifestyle, and how well you respond to the treatment.

In general, if your body is responding well for weight management, you likely need to stay on a treatment plan  long-term.

If I am Taking an Injectable Medication, Can I Use the Click Method to Administer My Dose?

There are charts circulating for how to use the 'click method' for dosing with the medication pen but remember clicks can vary depending on the pen being used.

Using clicks to administer your dose is considered medical advice so it is best to discuss this with your Felix healthcare practitioner during your assessment.

If My Treatment is Medication-Based, What Happens if I Stop Taking It ?

If you have been prescribed treatment but are concerned that it is not beneficial for your condition, it’s essential to discuss any changes with your Felix healthcare practitioner before stopping the medication.

Abruptly ceasing medication use could cause sudden shifts in your blood sugar levels. As well, studies have shown that ceasing treatment typically results in patients regaining some or all of the weight that was lost, suggesting that ongoing treatment is required for long-term weight maintenance and management.

If my treatment is medication-based, how will I know when to increase or decrease the dose?

Your healthcare practitioner will let you know if you need to change your dose after considering your goals, side effects, and the effectiveness of the medication for you.

It is crucial to only take this medication as directed by your practitioner. If you think you may need a higher or lower dose, reach out to them to discuss.‍

Why is My Treatment Plan for Only One Month?

You will need to follow up with  your healthcare practitioner after the first month of treatment so they can monitor your progress and make any adjustments to your plan  to make sure it is working for you and that you are tolerating it well.

‍What Non-Medication Based Treatments are Available for Weight Management?

Weight loss medications are a great way to assist in your weight loss journey, but like all medications, they aren’t for everyone. 

Some people may not be able to take these types of medications due to contraindications, or they’re already taking other medications that could negatively interact with weight loss meds.

Thankfully, there are lots of other ways that you can assist yourself on your weight loss journey, through non-medication based treatments.

Therapeutic Interventions

Both behavioural and psychological interventions can be beneficial for people that are feeling stuck on their weight management journey. It can help address any mental health issues that may be holding your back or making it hard for you to properly focus on your goals.

They can also teach you how to do things like manage ‘food noise’ (i.e., intrusive thoughts about food, or cravings that feel impossible to ignore), as well as teach you tools like planning meals to make it easier to make healthy dietary choices.

Lifestyle Adjustments

While the ‘move more, eat less’ movement has been proven to be an outdated philosophy on weight loss, since many people are impacted by genetic and biological factors outside the control of these elements, diet and exercise are a vital part of your holistic health.

Eating a regular diet, including adequate protein and fiber, as well as avoiding certain types of unhealthy foods (i.e., alcohol, sugary foods, heavy processed or fatty foods, etc.), can make a noticeable difference in assisting with your weight management strategies.

Also, performing at least 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise, at least a few times a week, is a great way to encourage a healthy body weight, while also promoting stronger muscles, and better overall health as we get older.

SIDE NOTE: It’s important to note that if your practitioner feels like you would benefit from having a physical assessment, prior to determining your treatment plan, they may request that as part of their treatment request decision at the end of your initial assessment.

Still have questions we didn’t cover? Feel free to reach out to hello@felixforyou.ca