What a GLP-1 telehealth consultation actually involves

The three formats

Live video with a physician. PlushCare requires this — you meet a doctor by phone or computer. It is the closest thing to a conventional visit and the most clinical oversight available in this category.

Questionnaire plus provider review. The most common model. LifeMD uses a confidential online questionnaire reviewed by an affiliated provider. Lemonaid uses a detailed intake followed by a provider consultation. Mochi uses a short questionnaire, then you choose a clinician.

Asynchronous review with no call. Henry states that depending on your state, you may choose an independent provider review without a video call at all. Fastest route to a prescription, thinnest oversight.

Why the format matters

These are injectable medications with a real side-effect profile and standard contraindications. A questionnaire captures what you disclose; a conversation can surface what you did not think to mention.

It matters most for the things people under-report — a family history of thyroid cancer, a past eating disorder, a medication interaction, a gallbladder problem they had forgotten about.

It also matters for titration. A provider who has spoken with you is better placed to judge whether persistent nausea at week six warrants slowing escalation or stopping.

How to prepare

Have your numbers ready: current weight and height, recent A1c or fasting glucose if you have them, blood pressure, and any recent lab work. Amazon requires creatinine, eGFR and fasting glucose or A1c before prescribing.

List every medication and supplement you take, including anything intermittent.

Write down your history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thyroid conditions, kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions, and any history of disordered eating. These are the standard exclusions and you want them addressed properly rather than skipped.

Prepare your own questions — what happens if I do not tolerate this, how do we decide on dose changes, what is the plan for maintenance, and what happens if I want to stop.

What good looks like

A provider who asks about your history rather than only your goals. A clear explanation of the titration schedule and what to expect at each step. A named plan for what happens if side effects are intolerable.

Some discussion of what happens after — maintenance dosing, or coming off the medication. Very few consumer providers publish a deprescribing approach, and it is a fair question to ask.

A clear answer on what you will pay in month three, not just month one. Introductory pricing is near-universal in this category and the standing rate is what you will actually live with.