The Intake Questionnaire Is Your Medical Evaluation
On most telehealth GLP-1 platforms, the intake questionnaire is the primary clinical evaluation. Unlike an in-person visit where your doctor can observe you, ask follow-up questions, and review your chart, the telehealth intake relies on what you report. This makes the questionnaire simultaneously the approval gate and the safety screen.
Understanding what each question is trying to assess helps you provide complete, accurate answers that support both your safety and your chances of a clinically appropriate prescription.
The Critical Questions and What They Screen For
"Do you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2 syndrome?" — This screens for the most serious contraindication to GLP-1 therapy. GLP-1s carry a boxed warning (the most serious FDA warning category) based on thyroid tumor findings in rodent studies. A yes answer here is typically an automatic disqualification.
"Have you ever been diagnosed with pancreatitis?" — GLP-1s may increase the risk of pancreatitis. A history of pancreatitis doesn't always disqualify you, but it requires closer clinical evaluation.
"Have you ever been diagnosed with or treated for an eating disorder?" — GLP-1s suppress appetite, which can be dangerous for patients with a history of anorexia, bulimia, or other restrictive eating patterns. A responsible platform will flag this for clinical review rather than automatic denial.
"Are you currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant?" — GLP-1s are contraindicated in pregnancy. Standard guidance is to stop the medication at least 2 months before planned conception.
Embody
Top Pick — $400 CPA
From $249/mo
Injectable semaglutide only. Compounded — not FDA-approved.
Paid link Check Eligibility →Answer Honestly — It Protects You
The temptation to shade answers toward approval is understandable but counterproductive. Every safety question exists because GLP-1s can cause real harm in specific clinical scenarios. If you have a thyroid condition and don't disclose it, you're not beating the system — you're removing a safety check that protects your health.
If you're concerned that an honest answer will result in denial, remember that most conditions don't automatically disqualify you. They trigger additional clinical review. A history of pancreatitis might mean your prescriber wants recent imaging. A history of depression might mean they want to monitor more closely. Disclosure leads to personalized care, not punishment.
After the Intake: What Happens Next
Once you submit your intake, one of three things happens depending on the platform:
Asynchronous review: A prescriber reviews your questionnaire and medical history without a live visit. If everything checks out, a prescription is written and sent to the pharmacy. You may receive a message from the prescriber with instructions, but there's no real-time conversation.
Synchronous visit: You schedule a video or phone consultation with a prescriber who reviews your intake and discusses treatment in real time. This is the most thorough approach and the closest analog to an in-person visit.
Hybrid: Your intake is reviewed asynchronously, and you're contacted for a live visit only if the prescriber has questions or concerns. If everything is straightforward, the prescription may be issued without a live visit.
The format matters less than the thoroughness. An excellent asynchronous review that addresses all safety screens is preferable to a rushed video visit that doesn't. Judge the quality of care by the questions asked and the information provided, not by the format of the interaction.
Care Bare Rx
Quick Start
From $199/mo
Compounded — not FDA-approved.
Paid link Check Eligibility →Wellorithm
Science-Forward
From $199/mo
Compounded — not FDA-approved.
Paid link Check Eligibility →