Online GLP-1 consultations range from a five-minute form reviewed by someone you never speak to, up to a scheduled thirty-minute video appointment with a clinician who orders bloodwork first. Both get called a consultation. Knowing which one you are buying tells you most of what you need to know about a provider.
The Three Consultation Models
Live video visit
A scheduled appointment where you talk to a clinician. Recovery Delivered includes a video visit in its price, Midi Health runs 30-minute first appointments, and Nava Health delivers care entirely by video.
AI-assisted triage then physician
An AI handles intake before a licensed physician reviews. Doctronic offers free AI chat then a $39 physician visit. The AI triages; the physician makes the clinical decision.
In-person visit
Still exists and still has advantages. Medi-Weightloss runs weekly in-person visits with body composition analysis at over 140 locations.
None of These Is Automatically Bad
A questionnaire model is not inherently unsafe, and a video visit is not automatically thorough. What matters is whether the screening actually catches the things it needs to catch: contraindications, interacting medications, and whether a GLP-1 is the right tool for your situation. A provider that approves you in five minutes without asking about thyroid cancer history is the problem, not the format.
What You Will Be Asked
Most intakes cover the same clinical ground, because the contraindications for GLP-1 receptor agonists are well established. Expect questions on:
- Your height, weight and BMI, and any weight-related conditions
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- History of pancreatitis
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or plans to conceive
- Gallbladder disease and gastrointestinal conditions
- Kidney and liver function
- Eating disorder history
- All current medications and supplements
- Previous weight-loss treatments and how you responded
The FDA's prescribing information for the approved products sets out these warnings in full, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases publishes general background on weight management treatment. If a provider's intake skips these areas entirely, that tells you something about how much screening is really happening.
How to Prepare
- Have recent lab results ready if you have them, since several providers accept prior bloodwork. Fridays accepts labs from the past 24 months and Shapely from the past 6 months
- Write down your current medications and doses accurately
- Know your family history for thyroid cancer specifically
- Have a rough weight history, including what you have tried before
- Check your insurance formulary in advance if you hope for coverage
- Decide beforehand whether you want brand-name or compounded, using our comparison guide
Lab Work: Who Requires It
| Provider | Lab Position | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nava Health | Required | Digital order sent to LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics |
| Amazon Pharmacy | Required | Creatinine, eGFR and fasting glucose |
| Fridays | Included | CMP, A1C, TSH and lipid panel through Quest, no lab fee |
| Shapely | Strongly recommended | $75 self-pay at Labcorp; accepts results from past 6 months |
| Midi Health | Targeted labs | Part of the care plan rather than a fixed prerequisite |
| Many budget providers | Not published | No lab requirement stated at all |
A provider that requires nothing is not necessarily cutting corners, but it is leaving the decision entirely to you.
Questions Worth Asking
The consultation is your one reliable chance to get answers on record. These are the questions that most affect what happens next:
- Is this brand-name or compounded, and if compounded, which pharmacy prepares it?
- Is that pharmacy a 503A compounding pharmacy or a 503B outsourcing facility?
- What will I pay at a maintenance dose, not just the starting dose?
- Do you require any bloodwork, and does it cost extra?
- How do I reach a clinician if I have side effects between visits?
- What happens if I need to pause treatment?
- What is the cancellation policy in writing?
- Are supplies, shipping and follow-up visits included?
Ask About Side Effects Before You Start
Nausea, constipation and reflux are common during titration, and knowing who to contact when they happen is worth establishing upfront. Some providers include an antiemetic; Gimme Care lists ondansetron and Freedom Weight Loss Clinic lists antiemetic medications. Our side effects explainer covers what is routine and what needs urgent attention.
Red Flags in a Consultation
- Approval without any question about thyroid cancer or MEN 2 history
- No opportunity to disclose your current medications
- Pressure to buy a long prepaid plan during the consultation itself
- Refusal to name the compounding pharmacy when asked directly
- Countdown timers or sale-ends-today framing on a medical decision
- No clear route to reach a clinician after you have paid
- Claims of guaranteed results, which no legitimate provider makes
What Happens After Approval
Approval is not the end of the clinical relationship, or at least it should not be. GLP-1 treatment involves titrating through several doses over months, and that process needs oversight. Ask what follow-up looks like: Fridays publishes unlimited provider visits, Levity publishes monthly follow-ups, and Freedom Weight Loss Clinic includes follow-ups in its medication price. Others leave you to message support.
The American Board of Obesity Medicine certifies clinicians specifically in obesity medicine, and a few providers use board-certified obesity specialists. Walmart's prescribing partner Wheel is described as offering board-certified obesity management providers. That credential is more specific than the generic licensed provider language most companies use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a video visit to get a GLP-1 prescription?
It depends on the provider and your state. Many compounded providers use asynchronous questionnaire review. Gimme Care publishes that Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and West Virginia require a video visit while most other states do not.
How long does an online GLP-1 consultation take?
It varies enormously. Belle advertises a five-minute intake, Fifty 410 reviews within 24 to 48 hours, and Midi Health runs scheduled 30-minute first appointments. Faster is not better if it means less screening.
What if I am declined?
Some providers charge nothing if you are not approved. Fifty 410 states you pay only if approved, VITAstir publishes an instant refund if the physician does not approve, and WeightCare publishes a full refund if a physician deems you not a candidate.
Should I disclose everything on the intake?
Yes. The screening exists to catch contraindications that carry real risk, including a boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumours. Omitting history to get approved defeats the purpose and puts you in danger.
Can I use my existing lab results?
Often yes. Fridays accepts labs from the past 24 months, Shapely accepts results from the past 6 months, and Amazon accepts recent creatinine, eGFR and fasting glucose. Bring them; it can save both time and money.
Who can I contact if I get side effects?
Establish this before you start, because it varies widely. Some providers offer unlimited clinician messaging, others only general support channels. For anything severe, particularly persistent abdominal pain, contact a clinician promptly rather than waiting for a scheduled follow-up.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. GLP-1 medications are prescription drugs with real risks and contraindications, and only a licensed clinician who knows your history can decide whether one is appropriate for you. Prices, programs and policies described here reflect what providers published at the time of writing and change frequently; verify everything directly before enrolling. Read our full medical disclaimer.
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026