Key takeaways
- The common threshold is BMI 30, or BMI 27 with a weight-related condition.
- Amazon publishes the most complete exclusion list of anyone we reviewed — worth reading even if you use another provider.
- Several providers publish no eligibility criteria at all, which is itself informative.
The standard threshold
PlushCare publishes the clearest common standard: type 2 diabetes, a BMI of 30, or a BMI of 27 with one weight-related medical condition. Amazon publishes the same BMI structure with an age range of 18 to 64.
This mirrors the labelled indications for the branded weight-management products, which is why it recurs across providers that prescribe them.
Note that a BMI threshold is a screening tool, not a clinical assessment. It says nothing about body composition, metabolic health, or whether therapy is right for you.
The exclusions that matter most
Amazon publishes the most complete list we found, and it is worth reading regardless of which provider you choose. It excludes: diabetes (fasting glucose above 125 mg/dL or A1c above 6.4%), pregnancy or nursing, and history of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN2, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroparesis, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, heart failure, or kidney disease with eGFR below 60.
PlushCare states explicitly that it does not treat patients with symptoms of an active eating disorder. That is a screening position very few providers put in writing, and it is a meaningful clinical safeguard given the appetite-suppressing mechanism of these drugs.
Henry's published criteria are minimal: 18 or older, a demonstrated medical need, and living in a supported state.
Geographic and demographic limits
State availability is a real constraint. Alloy states its GLP-1 offering is not available in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi or Washington DC. Henry notes California patients face longer shipping times because of additional compound testing requirements.
Amazon's upper age limit of 64 is unusual and excludes a population with meaningful cardiometabolic need.
Alloy is designed around women at midlife experiencing menopause, with menopause-specialised clinicians — a deliberate demographic focus rather than a restriction.
What it means when a provider publishes nothing
Mochi, Lemonaid, Ivím, WeightWatchers and Ro publish no specific eligibility criteria on the pages we reviewed — treatment appropriateness is left to provider determination.
That is not automatically bad. Individualised clinical judgment is legitimate, and a rigid BMI cutoff is a blunt instrument.
But it does mean you cannot tell before signing up whether you will qualify, and you may pay a membership fee to find out. Providers that publish criteria — Amazon and PlushCare especially — let you self-screen for free.
Questions worth asking before you pay
What happens if I am found ineligible after I have paid? Amazon states that if a provider determines you are ineligible after intake review, treatment is cancelled and you are not charged. PlushCare states it provides a full refund if it cannot treat you, excluding medication and lab costs.
Do you require labs before prescribing, and are they included? Amazon requires creatinine, eGFR, and fasting glucose or A1c, purchased separately. LifeMD includes lab work in membership.
Do you screen for eating disorders? Only PlushCare publishes a position on this among the providers we verified.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI do you need for a GLP-1 prescription?
What conditions disqualify you from GLP-1 treatment?
Can I get a GLP-1 if I have a history of eating disorders?
Are GLP-1 telehealth services available in every state?
Medical disclaimer
This review is editorial research about a commercial service. It is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to start, stop or change any treatment. GLP-1 medications are prescription drugs with real contraindications and side effects. Decisions about whether they are appropriate for you belong with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history. Prices and terms in this category change frequently — we publish the date each review was verified and link every source, but you should confirm current details with the provider before purchasing.