Frequently asked questions.
If yours isn't answered here, the free consultation call is the right place to ask. No pressure, no assumption it's the right fit.
Do I need a referral to come to Metamed?+
No. Metamed accepts both physician referrals and self-referrals. The initial 20-minute consultation with a plan coordinator is free and requires no paperwork. The subsequent physician consultation is typically covered under OHIP.
Is the program covered by OHIP?+
The physician consultation is covered under OHIP. Protocol fees — covering coaching, dietitian sessions, behavioural support, MetAi platform access, and ongoing monitoring — are not OHIP-covered, but most third-party insurance plans cover meaningful portions. Pricing is transparent and shared in writing before you commit.
Can your Metamed physician prescribe GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide?+
Yes. Our physicians can prescribe GLP-1 receptor agonists where clinically indicated. Prescription decisions are made after a complete metabolic workup — bloodwork, body composition, comorbidity screening — and are always individualised, never a blanket protocol. Medication is one tool; behavioural and metabolic foundations are non-negotiable.
How is Metamed different from a weight loss clinic?+
Metamed is a longevity medicine clinic, not a weight loss clinic. We treat weight as a symptom of underlying metabolic dysfunction — not as the primary target. Our protocols address body composition, cardiovascular health, metabolic age, hormone balance, and behavioural patterns simultaneously, with real-time data from the MetAi platform.
What does a typical week in the program look like?+
After your physician consultation, weekly touchpoints rotate between your registered dietitian, fitness coach, and behavioural specialist on staggered schedules. The MetAi platform tracks your wearable data, food intake (via the MetaLens scanner), and body composition continuously. Monthly progress reviews with your physician re-calibrate the protocol based on InBody scans, lab values, and platform data.
How long is the program?+
The standard program runs 6 months, with optional maintenance for 6–24 additional months. Most patients see meaningful changes in body composition and biomarkers by week 8–12. Behavioural rewiring continues beyond active program time — the goal is sustained change, not a fixed end date.
Can the program be done virtually?+
Most program touchpoints are available virtually across Ontario. Initial physician consultation, InBody body composition scans, and quarterly in-person check-ins are conducted at one of our three clinics in Burlington, Mississauga, or Oakville.
What technology does the program use?+
Metamed patients use the MetAi mobile platform, which includes the MetaLens AI food scanner, wearable device sync (Apple Watch, Oura, Garmin, CGMs), AI-personalised exercise programming, body composition tracking, secure physician messaging, and a daily Wellness Score. Patients can also access a browser portal for deeper data review.
Who is the program not right for?+
Metamed is not a substitute for acute or specialist care. We don't treat eating disorders as a primary diagnosis, pregnancy-related conditions, or active psychiatric crises — though we work alongside those teams when patients have stable comorbidities. If our program isn't the right fit during your free consultation, we'll tell you.
What's the difference between Metabolic Reconstruction and just taking GLP-1 medication on its own?+
Medication addresses appetite and metabolism. It doesn't build muscle, repair sleep, rebuild your relationship to food, or address cardiovascular risk independently of weight. Metabolic Reconstruction layers physician-prescribed medication (where indicated) with strength programming, nutrition therapy, behavioural rewiring, and continuous data monitoring. The medication is a catalyst; the program is the construction.