What You Need to Know About OPTIFAST®
What Is OPTIFAST®?
OPTIFAST® is a meal replacement program offered through the Duke Lifestyle and Weight Management Center with medical, nutritional, and lifestyle support.
Our expert-guided meal planning takes place in a 12- or 24-week program. You'll receive:
- A variety of shakes, soups, and bars to replace your meals and snacks.
- 800 to 1000 calories per day, and the recommended nutrients to stay healthy while losing weight.
Eligible Candidates for OPTIFAST®
You may be eligible if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or above. We also work with people whose BMI is slightly lower and have conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, or liver disease. A comprehensive medical evaluation will determine your eligibility.
Contact us to learn more or talk to your primary care provider, who can refer you to our team for an evaluation.
Who May Not Be a Candidate?
OPTIFAST® is not recommended for:
- Healthy people who want to lose a few pounds
- people under age 18, as teenage bodies and metabolisms are still changing.
- People who have recently suffered a heart attack.
- People who previously or are currently receiving treatment for eating disorders.
- Some people with kidney disease.
- The program impacts how your body stores water.
Estimated Cost of the OPTIFAST® Program
How much does Optifast cost?
The total cost depends on the length of your program and how many meal replacement products you consume.
A sign-up fee covers educational videos and participation in support groups. This non-refundable fee is due upon enrollment and is not covered by insurance.
You will purchase the meal replacement products on a biweekly basis at the Duke Lifestyle and Weight Management Center in Durham. The price per product is about $3 to $5 and is not covered by insurance.
Will Insurance Pay for Optifast?
Your health insurance plan may cover your provider visits. You will be responsible for insurance copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. Check with your insurance plan to see if you can use your flexible spending account for program costs.
Estimated OPTIFAST® Costs at a Glance
| Program Length |
Sign-Up Fee |
Average Weekly Cost of Meal Replacement Products
|
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses |
| 12 weeks (partial or full) |
$250 |
Partial: $82 to $102
Full: $138 to $181 |
$1,400 to $2,000 plus copays, deductibles, etc.* |
| 24 weeks (partial or full) |
$500 |
Partial: $82 to $102
Full: $138 to $181 |
$2,800 to $4,000 plus copays, deductibles, etc.* |
*All provider visits are billed to your insurance.
Duke employees receive $50 off the 12-week sign-up fee and $100 off the 24-week sign-up fee.