What is the Bupa Weight Management Plan?
The Bupa Weight Management Plan is for those looking to lose weight through both healthcare support and medication. The plan aims to help you lose weight in a safe and sustainable way, starting with an initial consultation with a Bupa GP.
Why use Bupa’s Weight Management Plan?
There are a number of benefits to choosing Bupa’s Weight Management Plan.
- 1. You’ll spend time with a GP to make sure Wegovy® is the right choice for you. You’ll have a 30-minute in-depth consultation to discuss your medical history and your needs.
- 2. You’ll get ongoing support from our 24/7 Anytime HealthLine nurses, lifestyle coaches and clinical teams.
- 3. You’ll have access to priority prescriptions of Wegovy®.
- 4. You’ll have access to a 15 minute GP appointment every 6 months.
What are weight loss injections?
Wegovy® is a medication that is used by injecting yourself once a week.
The medication works by suppressing your appetite. It also reduces how quickly your stomach empties, meaning you’ll feel fuller for longer. It can therefore help with weight loss for those with a high BMI.
Using Wegovy® as part of the Weight Management Plan can help to achieve and maintain healthy weight loss.
Customers with diabetes are not eligible for the Weight Management Plan.
The use of Wegovy may affect your diabetes treatment. If you have diabetes, please discuss weight management options with your usual clinician. You can find out more about who can’t use Wegovy® in our dedicated section.
How does the Weight Management Plan work?
What happens before starting the plan?
Pre-appointment questions
Before your appointment with a Bupa GP, we’ll send you an online form to fill in. The GP will use this to help understand your medical history and weight loss needs.
30-minute GP appointment
With a GP, you’ll have the chance to chat about your medical history. You'll also talk about whether weight loss medication would be right for you.
What support do I get during the plan?
Weight loss medication prescription
Your weight loss medication (Wegovy®) is included in the cost of your plan. Every four weeks, your medication will be delivered to you after payment is taken. Delivery takes up to two days.
Lifestyle coaching
You’ll have access to a 30-minute call every four weeks with a Bupa health adviser. Together, you’ll talk about your lifestyle and how to combat factors that contribute to your weight. Your coach will support you to overcome any challenges and achieve your weight loss goals while on the plan.
Nurse support, anytime
Throughout your plan, you’ll have access to the Bupa Anytime HealthLine. Our nurses are on the other end of the phone, night or day, to answer any questions you have. From reducing side effects to administering your injections, we’re always here for you.
Follow-up GP appointment
In 6 months, you'll check in with the same doctor (where possible) you saw at the start of your plan. They'll see how your weight loss journey is going. This is also your chance to talk about any concerns you may have.
If it's right for you, your doctor will give you an ongoing prescription for weight loss medication. You will need to have a 15 minute GP review every 6 months which will be included as part of the plan.
Eligibility and your BMI
Am I eligible for the Weight Management Plan?
If you’re over 18 and have a BMI over 30 you may be eligible for this plan.
There are some exceptions to this which you can find in our FAQS.
If you’re over 18, have a BMI over 27 and a weight-related condition you may also be eligible. Weight-related conditions include:
- cardiovascular disease
- dyslipidaemia
- fatty liver disease
- hypertension
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- osteoarthritis
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- prediabetes
What is BMI?
BMI is also known as body mass index. It’s one way of measuring whether you’re a healthy weight for your height.
You can use our BMI calculator to find your body mass index and check your eligibility.
BMI calculatorHow much does it cost?
Initial GP consultation
£99 remotely
You’ll get a 30-minute consultation with a Bupa GP to chat about your weight concerns. You’ll also talk about whether weight loss medication is right for you. If weight loss medication (Wegovy®) is appropriate you’ll move on to the plan.
Weeks 1-12
£675 (£225 every four weeks)
- Wegovy® medication (0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg pens)
- Access to 24/7 support from nurses
- One 30-minute lifestyle coaching call every four weeks
Weeks 13-16
£275
- Wegovy® medication (1.7mg pen)
- Access to 24/7 support from nurses
- One 30-minute lifestyle coaching call
Weeks 17-20
£345
- Wegovy® medication (2.4mg pen)
- Access to 24/7 support from nurses
- One 30-minute lifestyle coaching call
Ongoing monthly plan
£325 per month
if you’ve completed weeks 1-20 with Bupa
Your Bupa GP will review your eligibility to continue using Wegovy®. You’ll then have the option of continuing your weight loss journey on a monthly basis. You can also access the monthly plan if you’ve not completed weeks 1-20 following an initial consultation. You’ll get:
- Wegovy® medication (2.4mg pen) each month
- Access to 24/7 support from nurses
- One 30-minute lifestyle coaching call each month
£345 per month
if you’re new to Bupa’s Weight Management Plan
If you’re new to Bupa’s Weight Management Plan but have completed the step up doses of Wegovy (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 1.7mg) with another healthcare provider, we can help. You can move to the ongoing monthly plan by showing us you’ve completed the step up doses elsewhere and after a consultation with a Bupa GP.
Book a Weight Management Plan now
You can book a Weight Management Plan online, or by calling us on 0345 266 0566^
^ Lines are open 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. We may record or monitor our calls.
Book online now
You will receive a call from our Weight Management admin team to take payment for your first four pens. This prescription will have enough for four weekly doses of Wegovy®. It will be sent out after payment and you’ll receive it within two days.
The admin team will be able to book you in for your lifestyle coaching call. They can also give you their number to call back so book later if that's more convenient. You'll be given the phone number for the Bupa Anytime HealthLine, too. If you have any questions or need more support you can call the number night or day.
After another three and a half weeks, the admin team will call you again. They'll take payment for your next Wegovy® prescription and arrange your next lifestyle coaching call.
If you are able and choose to use the ongoing monthly plan after the first 20 weeks our team will contact you every four weeks to take payment and arrange delivery.
If you have any queries or are unsure about using Wegovy®, our team can chat to you about your options.
Studies have shown positive results on weight loss when combining Wegovy® with behaviour change support. Those who use Wegovy® can lose on average 5-10% of their body weight after 16 weeks. After a year this can rise to 15%.
Wegovy® has also been shown to improve things like blood glucose and cholesterol levels. The amount of weight you can lose differs based on three factors:
- your personal situation
- the support you receive
- how long you take Wegovy® for
Unfortunately, not everyone can lose weight by using Wegovy®.
Yes. Wegovy® has been approved already by regulators in the:
- USA
- UK
- EU
It's safe and effective for weight loss in those with a BMI over 30 (or over 27 with a weight-related condition).
Wegovy® should be taken once a week. Ideally, this should be on the same day and time to reduce the chance of a missed dose.
Wegovy® doesn't have to be taken with a meal. More information can be found in the Wegovy® instruction booklet that comes with your medication.
Yes, Wegovy® can cause side effects. The most common reported side effects are:
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- tummy pain
- burping
- dizziness
This list doesn't contain all the common side effects. More information can be found in the Wegovy® instruction booklet that comes with your medication. Most of the side effects are mild and go away in a few days or weeks.
Acute pancreatitis is a very rare side effect of Wegovy®. Your GP will be able to answer any questions you may have about side effects in your initial consultation. If you have any queries after you start the Plan you can talk to a nurse using the Anytime HealthLine.
There is evidence that you are likely to gain weight when you stop using Wegovy®. This is similar to other weight loss medications. If you stop using Wegovy® it's important to stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan.
If you start using Wegovy® again after taking a break from the injections, you will need to start the Plan again.
Wegovy® shouldn't be used if you:
- have severe kidney disease
- have heart failure
- have severe liver disease
- have a history of pancreatitis
- have a history of retinopathy
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have historically had an eating disorder
- have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide
Your doctor will decide whether it's safe for you to use Wegovy® when looking at your medical history.
Those with diabetes aren’t eligible for the Weight Management Plan with Bupa. If you have diabetes please discuss weight management options with your usual clinician.
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Get in touch
We’re here to answer your questions. Call or email us and we can help.
Call us
0345 266 0566^
^ Lines are open 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. We may record or monitor our calls.
