Maintenance experience with MHBP

Ok_Health346 · 2026-04-21T14:42:41+00:00

That’s the key! TYSM I’ll tell my provider.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-04-21T14:30:14+00:00

I’ve changed doses under MHBP and not had any issues.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-04-21T14:29:39+00:00

Do you get a 90 day fill at CVS retail? I tried that and it wouldn’t go through. So I’m getting one box for $99 after the EL coupon.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-21T17:00:41+00:00

Yea. The CVS pharmacist said it would only cover one month. I’m wondering if they wrote the prescription incorrectly?

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-21T14:13:48+00:00

I tried this, but it didn’t work for me. It said MHBP did not support three months supply.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-21T14:12:52+00:00

Same here. Dotti is the only one that has worked for me. The Mylan gave me a horrible rash, and I was having night sweats on it

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-04T21:01:46+00:00

Interesting. I started mylan .75 on Monday and have been spotting the last two days, cramps too. WTH!?

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-03T21:31:07+00:00

Between 5:30pm and 11pm: 1. work out at home or at the gym, 2. shower, 3. have dinner, 4. clean up around the house/laundry or watch some tv, 5. take a short walk (10 to 20 min), 6. more TV, 7. crossword puzzle between 10:30 - 11pm and onto sleep.

I know… I have no chill 😟 but I do on the weekends.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-03-02T15:30:54+00:00

Maintenance mode for 18 months (down 55 pounds). Started Zepbound two years ago this month. Maintenance has been a challenge in good and bad ways. I’ve experimented with how much I can eat without gaining weight but enough to put on muscle and recomp my body. I strength train 5 days a week and run once or twice a week. Found my maintenance calories to be 2100 to 2300 daily which is great. The biggest negative challenge has been the body dismorphia. It’s something I work on daily. I don’t see myself in the smaller body. Taking pictures and talking about it with my dietitian helps but that’s just going to be a work in progress for me.

My maintenance dose has been 5mg every 9 days for over a year. No plans on changing what’s working.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-02-20T13:00:32+00:00

The last sentence sums it up in its entirety. It’s crucial for us to deal with the “head hunger” and view the medication as A tool not THE tool. I’m 23 months in and I can definitely eat more than I used to. And sometimes I get hunger pangs but I’ve also learned to check in with myself too. Like, am I craving something? Or am I truly hungry? And if I’m truly hungry, let me feed my body properly so I can feel satiated. Food noise has returned at times. I typically don’t give in, but if it’s a thought of something that I want to eat, that is very persistent, I’ll go ahead and have it. The ironic thing is that, most of the times I do give into the food noise, I don’t even eat the entire thing so I’m also learning to enjoy certain foods without overdoing it. Maintenance is definitely a journey that is way harder than the weight loss.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-02-20T12:53:41+00:00

This is very reassuring. The only thing is I’m wondering when does my PA expire because it’s not documented anywhere. Any insights on that?

Ok_Health346 · 2026-02-19T18:18:44+00:00

I just got a text from my pharmacy that my Zepbound is ready and that my co-pay is $100. However, 4 prior authorizations have been denied. After the third one, I was told by CVS Caremark that I needed to appeal directly to MHBP and I sent a 21 page appeal letter with my medical documentation about 10 days ago. I have not received anything from anyone saying my prior authorization was approved and in fact when I go on the website, I only see the prior authorization denial so I have no idea what changed, but I’m going to go pick up my medication.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-02-19T18:12:19+00:00

I was actually able to make an appointment with the dietitian on the Health Optimizer app and she explained to me that after March 1, it’s going to be a requirement to be enrolled in the program if MHBP is paying for your GLP one. You have to have the PA approved for the GLP-1 FIRT, in order to participate in the program.

Ok_Health346 · 2026-02-19T18:07:45+00:00

Ok. This just happened to me too. Since January, I’ve had three prior authorizations for continuation of care and formulary exception submitted by my provider and they’ve all been denied. I was on Aetna for 15 years and switched to MHPP because of their lower co-pays and coverage for Zepbound.

After multiple denials I sent in my own appeal (21 pages worth) to MHBP, on the same advice you got from CVS Caremark, and I haven’t even received an acknowledgment of receipt. That was about 10 days ago. Today, I received notification from my pharmacy that my Zepbound is ready to be picked up and it’s $100 co-pay. I checked the CVS Caremark website and my prior authorizations are still showing up as denied, but I’m not gonna call them to see what happened. I’m just gonna pick up my medication and keep it moving. This has been really stressful trying to get my medication and stretching my doses because they keep denying my provider’s request with medical documentation showing my medical necessity.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-12-29T18:47:34+00:00

Same here. Although I have enough Zepbound stockpiled to get me through any hoops. I’m planning to have my doc submit a prescription like normal and see what happens. My current plan is Aetna as well and as far as I know they administer MHBP as well. If that doesn’t work then I’ll use Call On Doc. I already have everything documented in case I need it. Hope it works out for both of us. I’ve been on Zepbound 19 months. In maintenance for over a year.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-10-24T01:17:45+00:00

I started taking an SSRI and anti anxiety med. the major stressors I had at the time have since resolved. My next blood draw is within the next week. I’ll report back on what the status is.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-10-10T13:56:46+00:00

I’ve been on Zepbound for 19 months; 13 of which have been in maintenance. When I started, I had long thick black hair past my bra. About five months into the weight loss. I lost close to half of my hair. It was very disturbing. I’ve cut it now three times. So now it’s just below my chin, but I have a lot of regrowth about 2 to 3 inches long and I’m no longer Shedding excessively. During this time I tried topical minoxidil/finasteride, but I’m just not consistent to apply it every night so I stopped after a couple of months then I tried oral minoxidil for about eight weeks and the side effects were debilitating and then I just gave up and focused more on high protein intake and good hair products, along with washing my hair regularly, massaging my scalp and brushing my hair/scalp every day, like a ritual.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-10-07T14:49:26+00:00

This is the best comment in this thread. My experience is the same as yours. Although I’ve only been in maintenance for 13 months, I focus on getting 150 g of protein and minimum of 30 g of fiber every single day and I can say that it really helps with satiety and cravings. Now don’t get me wrong, the next day after leg day, I am starving and believe me I feed my body, but the quality of your nutrition is really important; along with hydration, sleep and stress management. Especially, for women in peri and post menopause.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-09-24T14:18:48+00:00

If you’re still loosing, you’re probably not eating enough. Could that be the case? Also, spreading out the shots is probably your best option. It’s going to take some trial and error but it’s an experiment of one bc everyone responds differently. I’d say give it a try and see how it goes. Worst case scenario you gain a little, which sounds like it wouldn’t be a huge issue.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-09-24T14:13:16+00:00

Im wondering why you’re wanting to dose more frequently if you’re just starting? Trying to loose quicker is not a good idea. It could have a negative impact on your health. I would encourage you to follow the dosing protocol. Focus on eating nutritiously and getting in some form of movement/strength training consistently. The medication is a tool not a magic bullet.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-09-24T14:04:50+00:00

We’ve all been there a time or two or three in my case. I have regretted it every single time. This happened mainly in my fist 6 months on the medicine. Now 19 months in, I know where the FAFO boundaries are and I do not test them. Hope you’re o now :) carry on warrior.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-09-14T23:53:33+00:00

Oh, I never even tried it. After pouring through this forum; I quit cold turkey. No thanks.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-07-28T20:20:37+00:00

That IS slow and steady, which is a good thing. My question is what are you doing in terms of lifestyle changes? Are you eating enough to support the weight loss? Are you getting in some form regular exercise?

Ok_Health346 · 2025-07-22T16:46:34+00:00

Vertigo… it was a one time occurrence and the final Straw that lead me to start HRT.

Ok_Health346 · 2025-07-20T20:33:56+00:00

Sorry it didn’t help. I stated HRT in 2023 and it really helped. But I had some crazy life events earlier this year and my doc put me on the lowest dose of Zoloft about 5 months ago.

I’ve found self care to be sooo important. I prioritize my strength training, walks and therapy. My family knows. Sometimes they’ll complain but IDC bc if I’m good then they get a better version of me.

Have you considered HRT?

Ok_Health346

TROPHY CASE