Explainer
Who qualifies for GLP-1 weight-loss treatment?
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Key takeaways
- GLP-1 weight-loss medicines are approved for adults with obesity, or with overweight plus a weight-related condition, like high blood pressure.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
- In the main studies, that meant a BMI of 30, or 27 with a condition, and you don't need diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources
- Online, a licensed clinician reviews your health history, often within a day, before anything is prescribed.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Wondering whether a GLP-1 could be an option for you? You're far from alone, and the answer is often simpler than people expect.
Here's who qualifies, how to check your BMI in a minute, and what the online visit looks like.
01The short answer
Who qualifies for a GLP-1?
Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are approved for adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related condition.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
In the main studies, that meant a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a condition like high blood pressure.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources
You don't need diabetes. These medicines are approved for weight, with or without it.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
A licensed clinician makes the final call, after looking at your health as a whole.2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources
02BMI
How do you check your BMI?
BMI compares your weight with your height. No math needed: the CDC's free online calculator works it out in seconds. Here's roughly where the numbers land:4Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSourceCDC. About Body Mass Index (BMI), December 16, 2025; and Adult BMI Categories, March 19, 2024.Open the source All sources
| Height | Weight at a BMI of 27 and 30 |
|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 138 lb and 154 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 157 lb and 175 lb |
| 5 ft 7 in | 172 lb and 192 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 188 lb and 209 lb |
| 6 ft 1 in | 205 lb and 227 lb |
BMI is a quick first check, not the whole picture. Your clinician may also look at your waist, your health and your history.5American Medical AssociationSourceAmerican Medical Association. AMA adopts new policy clarifying role of BMI as a measure in medicine. June 14, 2023.Open the source All sources6BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, 2026. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e006247.Open the source All sources
Guidelines also set a lower BMI for obesity in people of Asian descent.6BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, 2026. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e006247.Open the source All sources
03Conditions
Which weight-related conditions count?
The labels and studies name a few common ones:1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
High blood pressure
Whether or not you take medicine for it, as in the main studies.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
High cholesterol
Your clinician may call it dyslipidemia.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Type 2 diabetes
GLP-1s have been studied for weight in people with type 2 diabetes too.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Sleep apnea
Zepbound® is also approved to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Heart disease
Wegovy® is also approved to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and excess weight.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Plans and clinicians often count others too, like prediabetes, fatty liver disease or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources8Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
Others, like insulin resistance, aren't on those lists, so they're your clinician's call. Going through menopause? It doesn't count on its own, but the same BMI guide applies.
04Age
Is there an age limit?
There's no upper age limit. In the studies, people 65 and older did about as well as younger adults.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources If you have Medicare, its GLP-1 Bridge can help with the cost, for people who qualify.8Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
The Wegovy® shot and an older daily shot, Saxenda®, are also approved for teens 12 and older with obesity.2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources For teens, that means a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex.4Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSourceCDC. About Body Mass Index (BMI), December 16, 2025; and Adult BMI Categories, March 19, 2024.Open the source All sources
Online programs are for adults 18 and older, so for teens, the place to start is their pediatrician.
05The online visit
What does the online visit look like?
You can ask your own doctor, or start with an online program. If you see your own doctor, bring your BMI and any weight-related conditions to the appointment.
Online, most programs follow a few simple steps, and you'll often hear back within a day:
Answer a few questions
You'll share your height, weight, health history, medicines and goals. It usually takes just a few minutes.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
Confirm who you are
Many programs ask for a photo ID, so your clinician knows who they're treating.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
A clinician reviews it
A licensed clinician in your state looks over your answers and may ask follow-up questions. Depending on where you live, there may be a quick video or phone call.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
Labs, if needed
If your clinician wants recent blood work, they'll tell you how to get it.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
Your medicine ships
If it's a good fit, your prescription goes to the pharmacy and ships to your door. You'll usually start on a low dose and step up over a few months.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Online care should meet the same standard as an office visit, so a clinician shouldn't prescribe from a simple questionnaire alone.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
If your clinician decides it's not the right fit, several programs refund some or all of what you paid. It's worth checking the terms first.
06Getting ready
What should you have handy?
A few things make the visit quicker, and help your clinician make sure a GLP-1 is a good fit:1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Your height and weight
A recent weigh-in is best, so your clinician can get your plan right.
Every medicine you take
Including vitamins and supplements, and any other weight-loss medicine, since you'd take only one GLP-1 at a time.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Your health history
Any conditions, past problems with your pancreas, gallbladder or kidneys, and your family's health history.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Plans for pregnancy
If you're pregnant or planning to be, your clinician will help you with timing.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
A photo ID
Many programs check it before your visit.
Your insurance card
If you plan to use insurance.
Your goals
What you'd like to change, so your clinician can shape your plan around it.
The important safety information is at the foot of this page, and your clinician will go through anything that applies to you.
07Insurance
Do insurance plans use the same rules?
Plans often ask for a little more. Many write the BMI numbers into their rules, and some want a few months of diet and activity changes first.7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
Your clinician will also send a prior authorization, a request asking your plan to approve the medicine.7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources Once you're approved, plans usually re-approve it about once a year, as long as it's working.7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
Good news if you've already started: Cigna's policy and Medicare's program both go by your BMI from before you began.7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources8Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge has its own rules, starting at a BMI of 35, or lower with certain conditions.8Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources Our insurance article walks you through them.
No insurance? You can still be prescribed a GLP-1 the same way and pay cash. The makers sell brand-name pills from $149 a month, and at the programs we rank, compounded semaglutide starts at $49.9Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources10Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
08Other options
What if you don't qualify?
That's okay, and you still have options.
If you're hoping to lose just a few pounds, a GLP-1 probably isn't the best fit. These medicines are long-term treatments for weight that's affecting your health.2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources
Your clinician can talk you through other approaches, from a dietitian or a structured lifestyle program to other weight-loss medicines that might suit you better. And if your health changes, you can always check again.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need diabetes to get a GLP-1?
No. Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are approved for weight, with or without diabetes.
Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are the brands approved for type 2 diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Can I get a GLP-1 with a BMI between 25 and 27?
It's your clinician's call.
Overweight starts at a BMI of 25.4Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSourceCDC. About Body Mass Index (BMI), December 16, 2025; and Adult BMI Categories, March 19, 2024.Open the source All sources
The main studies, and most insurance plans, start at 27 with a weight-related condition.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources7Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
Can I take a GLP-1 if I have a thyroid condition?
Often, yes.
A common condition like an underactive thyroid doesn't rule you out on its own.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources
Your clinician will go through your health history with you, and the full safety information is at the foot of this page.
Do I need blood work?
Not always.
The labels don't call for routine blood tests, but some clinicians like recent results before they prescribe.
If yours does, they'll tell you how to get them.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.All sources3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
Do I need to see a doctor in person?
Usually not.
Online care can start without an in-person visit, as long as it meets the same standard as an office visit.
Depending on where you live, there may be a quick video or phone call.3Federation of State Medical BoardsSourceFederation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022.Open the source All sources
Do I need a prescription for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide?
Yes.
All GLP-1 medications, whether FDA-approved or compounded, require a prescription and evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider.11U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Content current as of September 16, 2025.Open the source All sources
The bottom line
Most adults with obesity, or with overweight and a weight-related condition, can be considered for a GLP-1.
A short online visit is an easy way to find out.
When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to find one that fits.
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.
Sources
- 1FDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; Medication Guides.
- 2NIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024. niddk.nih.gov
- 3Federation of State Medical Boards. The Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine. April 2022. fsmb.org
- 4CDC. About Body Mass Index (BMI), December 16, 2025; and Adult BMI Categories, March 19, 2024. cdc.gov
- 5American Medical Association. AMA adopts new policy clarifying role of BMI as a measure in medicine. June 14, 2023. ama-assn.org
- 6American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, 2026. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e006247. doi.org
- 7Cigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026. cigna.com
- 8Medicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026. medicare.gov
- 9NovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026. novocare.com
- 10LillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
- 11FDA. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Content current as of September 16, 2025. fda.gov
Product information
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.
Important safety information
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
