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 in conjunction with medical, nutritional, and lifestyle support. We provide expert-guided meal planning and shakes, soups, and bars that replace your meals and snacks. The food gives you a total of about 800 to 1000 calories per day and all the daily recommended nutrients you need to stay healthy while you lose weight. We offer 12- and 24-week programs. You’ll work with our weight management specialists to determine which plan meets your needs.
Eligible Candidates for OPTIFAST®
The OPTIFAST® program may be right for you 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. To learn more and determine your eligibility, contact us 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 a diet for healthy people who want to lose a few pounds. It is also not for people under age 18 as teenage bodies and metabolisms are still changing. Duke offers weight loss and healthy lifestyle programs to adolescents.
A comprehensive medical evaluation will let our team know if you can safely participate. People who recently suffered a heart attack are not eligible for meal replacement. In addition, some people with kidney disease may not be able to participate because the program impacts how your body stores water. People who previously or are currently receiving treatment for eating disorders may also not be eligible.
Estimated Cost of the OPTIFAST® Program
What’s Involved
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 fee is non-refundable, due upon enrollment, and 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. Each product costs about $3 to $5. They are not covered by insurance.
Insurance Coverage and Health Spending Accounts
Provider visits may be covered by your health insurance. You will be responsible for insurance copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. Check with your insurance plan to see if your flexible spending account balance can be used toward 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 will be billed to your insurance.
Duke employees receive $50 off the 12-week sign-up fee and $100 off the 24-week sign-up fee.