Warehouse retailer Costco has expanded its partnership with direct-pay healthcare platform Sesame to offer Costco members a new weight loss treatment program

This program, accessible to Costco's nearly 130 million members, provides consultations with qualified healthcare professionals specializing in weight management. Professionals initially carry out a virtual consultation, in which they will discuss the member's medical history, weight goals, and treatment plan and, if necessary, prescribe weight loss medications. The program charges Costco members USD 179 and non-Costco members USD 195 for three months of consultations, including ongoing communication access for nutritional guidance with the chosen provider. Costs for prescribed medications and lab work are not included in the subscription price. 

Analyst Quicktake: This new offering marks the expansion of Costco’s partnership with Sesame, originally signed in September 2023 to provide Costco members discounted access to virtual and in-person healthcare services. This expansion and its original partnership offering indicate that Costco is expanding its presence in the healthcare market and seeking to leverage its pharmacy network. This could also be an attempt to compete with other retail giants such as CVS and Walmart, which have already established a notable presence in the healthcare space.