Frequently Asked Questions 

EndoHealth MD is a private, direct-pay endocrinology practice in Westfield, NJ founded by Dr. Alessia Roehnelt, MD — a double board-certified endocrinologist. The practice specializes in hormone optimization, perimenopause, menopause, medical weight loss, GLP-1 therapy, and metabolic health for adults, with a special focus on women's hormonal health. Unlike traditional practices, EndoHealth MD operates outside of insurance, offering longer visits, same-week appointments, and a personalized care plan built around each patient's unique physiology. Virtual care is available for patients in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

Dr. Alessia Roehnelt is a double board-certified endocrinologist and the founder of EndoHealth MD in Westfield, NJ. She specializes in hormonal and metabolic health for women and men, with a focus on perimenopause, menopause, thyroid disease, insulin resistance, GLP-1 weight loss therapy, and longevity medicine. Dr. Roehnelt built EndoHealth MD for patients who have been dismissed by conventional medicine and are looking for a physician who takes the time to understand the full picture of their health — including why the weight won't move no matter what they try.

EndoHealth MD does not participate with insurance and is a self-pay practice. All visits are billed directly to the patient at a transparent, flat-fee rate. However, patients may use their insurance for outside services such as laboratory testing, imaging, and prescriptions if covered by their plan. EndoHealth MD can provide a superbill that some patients submit to their insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Please note that Dr. Roehnelt has opted out of Medicare, and services cannot be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement.

A holistic endocrinologist is a board-certified endocrinologist who treats hormonal and metabolic conditions while also considering lifestyle, nutrition, stress, sleep, and the full context of a patient's life — rather than treating lab values in isolation. At EndoHealth MD, Dr. Roehnelt combines evidence-based endocrinology with a personalized, root-cause approach that may include GLP-1 medications, hormone therapy, metabolic testing, and lifestyle optimization — tailored to each patient's physiology.

Dr. Alessia Roehnelt and EndoHealth MD have formally opted out of Medicare. This means we do not bill Medicare for services, and Medicare patients cannot submit claims for reimbursement. Medicare beneficiaries are welcome to be seen on a private-pay basis through consultations or membership.

Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, typically beginning in a woman's early-to-mid 40s, during which hormone levels — particularly estrogen and progesterone — begin to fluctuate. Symptoms can include irregular periods, weight gain, brain fog, sleep disruption, mood changes, and hot flashes. Menopause is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Many women experience their most disruptive symptoms during perimenopause, not menopause itself — which is why early intervention with a specialist like Dr. Roehnelt is so important.

Weight gain during perimenopause is primarily driven by hormonal shifts — particularly declining estrogen — which change where the body stores fat, slow metabolism, and increase insulin resistance. This means the diet and exercise habits that worked in your 30s may no longer be effective in your 40s and 50s, through no fault of your own. At EndoHealth MD, Dr. Roehnelt identifies the specific hormonal and metabolic drivers behind your weight gain and builds a personalized plan to address them — which may include GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, hormone optimization, or a combination of both.

Yes. Dr. Roehnelt prescribes GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for medically appropriate patients, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide). As a board-certified endocrinologist — the specialty that first used these medications for diabetes and metabolic disease — Dr. Roehnelt brings a depth of expertise to GLP-1 therapy that goes beyond most weight loss clinics. Every patient receives a full metabolic evaluation before starting, and ongoing monitoring and dose optimization throughout their treatment.

Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, the same active GLP-1 medication. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management, while Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management at a higher maximum dose. At EndoHealth MD, Dr. Roehnelt evaluates each patient's full metabolic and hormonal picture to determine which medication, dose, and treatment approach is most appropriate for their individual situation — rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol.

EndoHealth MD specializes in the following conditions and areas of care: Perimenopause and menopause Hormone optimization and hormone imbalance Medical weight loss including GLP-1 therapy (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) Metabolic health and body composition Thyroid disease including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Hashimoto's Insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes Longevity medicine and preventative care Personalized nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle guidance

Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain tirzepatide, which targets two hormonal pathways — GLP-1 and GIP — making it one of the most effective weight loss medications currently available. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Clinical trials have shown tirzepatide produces greater average weight loss than semaglutide alone for many patients. Dr. Roehnelt will evaluate whether tirzepatide or semaglutide is the right fit based on your metabolic health, weight loss goals, and medical history.

Endocrinologists are the specialists who first used and researched GLP-1 medications for metabolic disease. Dr. Roehnelt brings board-certified expertise in the hormonal and metabolic systems that GLP-1 medications directly affect — including thyroid function, insulin resistance, and adrenal health — which most med spas and telehealth weight loss platforms are not equipped to evaluate or treat. At EndoHealth MD, GLP-1 therapy is part of a comprehensive metabolic plan, not a standalone prescription.

Yes. Many patients come to EndoHealth MD after starting GLP-1 therapy elsewhere — through a primary care physician, telehealth platform, or med spa — without the metabolic and hormonal workup needed to optimize results. Common reasons GLP-1 therapy underperforms include suboptimal dosing, untreated thyroid dysfunction, unaddressed insulin resistance, or hormonal imbalances that blunt the medication's effectiveness. Dr. Roehnelt conducts a comprehensive evaluation to identify what's missing and creates a plan to get your results back on track.

No. EndoHealth MD does not provide after-hours or on-call emergency services. For urgent issues, please contact your primary-care provider or call 911. Membership communication is intended for ongoing, non-emergency care coordination.

Your first appointment at EndoHealth MD is a comprehensive consultation designed to understand your full health picture. Dr. Roehnelt will review your symptoms, health history, labs, lifestyle, and goals in detail — without the time pressure of a traditional insurance visit. For patients interested in GLP-1 therapy, she will also conduct a full metabolic evaluation to determine the right medication and approach. Most patients leave their first visit feeling heard for the first time in years.

Yes. EndoHealth MD offers telehealth appointments for patients located anywhere in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. Virtual visits are conducted directly with Dr. Roehnelt and provide the same personalized, comprehensive care as in-person appointments — including GLP-1 prescribing and management where clinically appropriate for your state. Patients in New York and Florida who are looking for a hormone, menopause, weight loss, or GLP-1 specialist can schedule a virtual consultation directly through the EndoHealth MD website.

A direct-pay endocrinologist like Dr. Roehnelt operates outside of insurance, which means visits are longer, more thorough, and not limited by what an insurance company will reimburse. Patients at EndoHealth MD receive same-week appointments, direct messaging access to Dr. Roehnelt between visits, continuity with the same physician at every appointment, and a care plan that is never shaped by insurance constraints. For GLP-1 patients specifically, this means proper dose titration, regular check-ins, and metabolic monitoring that most insurance-based practices simply don't have time to provide.

No. EndoHealth MD is a direct-pay practice, which means you do not need a referral from your primary care physician to schedule a consultation. You can book directly through the EndoHealth MD website. Patients are welcome to share records from previous providers, but it is not required to get started.

Yes. The FDA approved the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg) for weight management in December 2025. You take it once a day on an empty stomach with a small sip of water, and wait about 30 minutes before eating. Dr. Roehnelt can help you decide whether a daily pill or a weekly injection fits you better.

Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily GLP-1 pill from Eli Lilly, approved by the FDA in April 2026 for adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related health condition. Unlike the Wegovy pill, it can be taken at any time of day, without food or water restrictions. The dose is increased gradually.

Yes. Most of our patients are women, but Dr. Roehnelt sees men for weight loss and GLP-1 therapy, thyroid disease, insulin resistance, bone health, and longevity care.