Not everyone who wants a GLP-1 medication can safely take one, and not every program will prescribe to every patient. Eligibility comes down to three separate gates: the clinical criteria a prescriber applies, the medical history that rules some people out entirely, and the practical constraints of the program you choose. Here is what each one involves.
The Short Answer
FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medications are generally indicated for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obstructive sleep apnea. A licensed prescriber makes the final call after reviewing your full medical history — and certain conditions rule the medications out regardless of BMI.
Gate One: Clinical Criteria
BMI is the most common starting point, but it is a screening tool rather than the whole assessment. A prescriber will typically look at:
- BMI — usually 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related comorbidity
- Weight-related conditions — type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease
- Previous weight-loss attempts — what you have tried and how it went
- Current medications — including anything that interacts with GLP-1s or affects blood sugar
- Overall metabolic picture — which is where lab work earns its place
Some programs go considerably deeper than others here. PlushCare orders a full obesity panel measuring CBC, CMP, lipids, A1C, TSH and insulin before prescribing. Medi-Weightloss runs labs and a body composition analysis in person. Many compounded-focused telehealth programs do not publish any lab requirement at all — which is a meaningful difference in the thoroughness of the assessment you are getting.
Gate Two: When GLP-1s Are Not Appropriate
Some medical histories make these medications inappropriate. Per the prescribing information for FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists, these include:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- A known hypersensitivity to the medication or its components
- Pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant — these medications are not recommended during pregnancy
A history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy, severe gastrointestinal disease such as gastroparesis, or eating disorders requires careful discussion — these are not automatic exclusions but they change the risk calculation and require a prescriber who knows about them.
Be complete and honest on your intake form. An online questionnaire cannot examine you, so it relies entirely on what you disclose. Our guides on who should not take Ozempic and who should not take Mounjaro go into more detail.
Gate Three: Program Constraints
Even when you are clinically eligible, the program itself may not be able to treat you. Three constraints come up repeatedly:
Your state
Telehealth prescribing is licensed state by state, and coverage varies widely. OrderlyMeds states its providers are licensed in all 50 states, and Call-On-Doc, Klinic and Doctronic list coverage across 50 states plus DC. Shapely serves California, Florida, New York and Texas only. Rixa Health serves eight states. Lemonaid Health states it is not yet available everywhere. Check before you pay.
Your insurance situation
If you need brand-name medication covered, you need a program built for that. PlushCare pursues prior authorization; Klinic verifies insurance before matching you with a provider; Shapely bills visits to Medicare and most PPO plans. Note that Shapely also flags a real constraint: Medicare covers these medications only for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obstructive sleep apnea.
Age and other program rules
Most online programs treat adults only, and individual providers set their own additional criteria. These are rarely published in full, so ask directly if you think you may be an edge case.
What Happens If You Are Declined
This is worth understanding before you pay, because policies differ sharply:
- PlushCare states it provides a full refund if it is unable to treat you.
- Brello Health takes payment before the medical intake, and offers a refund within 24 hours of provider review minus a $50 professional services fee.
- Aspire Health states consultation fees are generally non-refundable once a provider service has occurred.
- Many providers do not publish a policy at all.
Preparing for Your Consultation
Have this ready and the assessment will be faster and more accurate:
- Your current height and weight
- A full list of medications and supplements you take
- Personal and family history of thyroid cancer or MEN 2
- Any history of pancreatitis, gallbladder or GI conditions
- Recent lab results if you have them
- What you have already tried for weight loss
Ready to compare programs? Start with our best online GLP-1 providers guide, or check state coverage and policies in the provider comparison table.