Who Qualifies for GLP-1 Medications Online (2026 Eligibility Guide)
For informational purposes only—not medical advice.
Quick Answer: Who Qualifies for GLP-1 Medications Online?
Yes, you likely qualify if your BMI is 30+ (obesity), OR your BMI is 27-29.9 with at least one weight-related condition (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea), AND you have no hard-stop contraindications (MTC/MEN2 history, pregnancy, serious allergy to the medication). That is the FDA standard. Meeting it medically and getting approved through insurance or a telehealth program are separate hurdles—this page covers both.
| Tier | Your Odds | What This Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | Very likely | BMI 30+, no red flags, willing to do basic monitoring |
Tier 2 | Likely | BMI 27-29.9 + at least one documented weight-related condition |
Tier 3 | Mixed | Borderline BMI, unclear documentation, multiple conditions needing review |
Tier 4 | Unlikely | BMI below 27 without qualifying comorbidity |
Tier 5 | Hard stop | Pregnant/trying soon, MTC/MEN2 history, serious allergy |
These tiers come from FDA indications for Wegovy and Zepbound, which describe use for obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidity, plus specific contraindications.
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If you are ready to compare providers, see our guide on best GLP-1 providers online.
Step 1: Know Your BMI
Most online programs start with BMI because it is standardized, fast, and built into FDA indications and insurance prior authorization criteria.
Adult BMI Categories (CDC Definitions)
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Normal: 18.5-24.9
- Overweight: 25-29.9
- Obesity: 30+
BMI is not a moral verdict. It is one number among many factors. The point is matching the right treatment to the right risk profile.
BMI Reference Table
Most eligibility thresholds cluster around BMI 27 and BMI 30. Here is what those mean in pounds:
| Height | BMI 27 (lb) | BMI 30 (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 129 | 143 |
| 4'11" | 134 | 149 |
| 5'0" | 138 | 153 |
| 5'1" | 143 | 158 |
| 5'2" | 148 | 164 |
| 5'3" | 152 | 169 |
| 5'4" | 157 | 174 |
| 5'5" | 162 | 180 |
| 5'6" | 167 | 186 |
| 5'7" | 172 | 191 |
| 5'8" | 177 | 197 |
| 5'9" | 182 | 203 |
| 5'10" | 188 | 209 |
| 5'11" | 193 | 215 |
| 6'0" | 199 | 221 |
| 6'1" | 204 | 227 |
| 6'2" | 210 | 233 |
| 6'3" | 216 | 240 |
| 6'4" | 222 | 246 |
Find your height, compare your weight. If you are at or above the BMI 30 column, you likely qualify without documented comorbidities. If you are between the two columns, you need at least one qualifying condition.
The Ethnicity Factor Most Guides Miss
Standard BMI cutoffs were developed using predominantly White populations. Research shows people of Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern descent develop metabolic complications at lower BMIs.
A 2021 UK Biobank study of nearly 1.5 million patients found these equivalent-risk BMI thresholds for type 2 diabetes:
| Ethnicity | BMI Equivalent to 30 in White Populations |
|---|---|
| South Asian | 23.9 |
| Arab | 26.6 |
| Chinese | 26.9 |
| Black | 28.1 |
Source: Caleyachetty R, et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021.
The WHO and NICE recommend using BMI 27.5 as the obesity threshold for South Asian and Chinese populations. Some clinicians apply lower thresholds for Asian patients based on this research.
Why this matters: You might be told you "do not qualify" based on standard cutoffs when ethnic-adjusted guidelines would say otherwise. If you are in a higher-risk ethnic group with a BMI between 23-27, ask your provider about this.
Step 2: The Three Types of "Qualifying"
Here is what most guides never explain clearly.
A) Medical Eligibility Does Not Equal Coverage
You might meet BMI + comorbidity criteria, but your insurance can still exclude weight-loss drugs entirely, require prior authorization, or demand documentation you do not have.
B) Medical Eligibility Does Not Equal Program Approval
Legitimate telehealth programs can decline if you have risk factors requiring in-person evaluation, need labs they cannot arrange, are pregnant, have contraindications, or live in a state where they are not licensed.
C) Qualifying for One GLP-1 Does Not Mean Qualifying for Another
Different products have different FDA indications, age ranges, and warnings.
The right approach: Confirm medical eligibility, then confirm program eligibility, then confirm coverage (or understand cash pricing).
Step 3: Weight-Related Comorbidities That Qualify You
If your BMI falls between 27-29.9, you need at least one weight-related condition. The FDA Zepbound approval announcement explicitly names examples: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Conditions Programs and Insurers Commonly Recognize
Metabolic
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Prediabetes (A1C 5.7-6.4%)
- Metabolic syndrome
- Insulin resistance
Cardiovascular
- Hypertension (especially if treated)
- Dyslipidemia (high LDL/triglycerides, low HDL)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Coronary artery disease
Respiratory
- Obstructive sleep apnea (Zepbound has specific OSA indication)
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Other
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Knee osteoarthritis (varies by insurer)
Documentation Matters
If you are in the BMI 27-29.9 lane, documentation is the difference between approved and denied. Do not just say "I have high blood pressure." Say "I have hypertension and I am treated with lisinopril 10mg daily." Objective documentation—diagnosis codes, current medications, recent labs—is what moves prior authorizations.
Step 4: The Hard Stops
These are reasons reputable programs say no—period.
Hard Stop #1: Personal or Family History of MTC or MEN2
Both Wegovy and Zepbound carry boxed warnings and are contraindicated for personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Source: FDA prescribing information for Wegovy and Zepbound.
Hard Stop #2: Serious Hypersensitivity Reaction
Wegovy is contraindicated with prior serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or its excipients. Zepbound is contraindicated with serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or its excipients.
Hard Stop #3: Pregnancy
Both labels warn about pregnancy risk. Wegovy label states to discontinue when pregnancy is recognized and to stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to semaglutide long half-life. Zepbound label warns it may cause fetal harm.
Source: FDA prescribing information.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive, you need clinician-led care—not a checkout page.
Step 5: Conditions That Require Careful Review
A lot of conditions do not automatically disqualify you, but they require clinician judgment, baseline labs, and closer monitoring.
History of pancreatitis
GLP-1 labels include pancreatitis warnings. Not automatic disqualification, but clinicians use extra caution. (FDA label warning)
Gallbladder disease
Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are discussed in warnings. Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk. (FDA label warning)
Severe gastrointestinal disease
Zepbound is not recommended in severe gastroparesis. Many programs will decline or require specialist oversight. (FDA label: Zepbound)
Mental health history
Suicidal behavior/ideation warnings are included in labeling. Programs may screen mental health history more closely. (FDA label warning)
Upcoming surgery
GLP-1 labels include warnings about pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia because these medications slow gastric emptying. Tell your surgical team if you are on a GLP-1. (FDA label warning)
Diabetic retinopathy
Rapid blood sugar improvements can temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy need ophthalmology clearance. (FDA label warning)
Medication-by-Medication Eligibility
| Medication | Who It Is For | Age | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy injection | Adults with obesity OR overweight + comorbidity; adolescents 12+ with obesity | 12+ | Also indicated to reduce CV events in adults with established CV disease |
| Wegovy tablets (25mg) | Adults with obesity OR overweight + comorbidity | Adults | Must take on empty stomach with water only, wait 30 min |
| Zepbound | Adults with obesity OR overweight + comorbidity | Adults | Also indicated for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity |
| Saxenda | Adults with obesity OR overweight + comorbidity; adolescents 12+ | 12+ | Daily injection (vs. weekly for others) |
Source: FDA prescribing information for each medication.
If you are 12-17: Wegovy and Saxenda are FDA-labeled for adolescents with obesity, but many telehealth programs do not treat minors due to consent complexity, monitoring requirements, and state telehealth rules. The right path is usually pediatrician + specialist care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical Sources
- FDA Prescribing Information: Wegovy (semaglutide injection)
- FDA Prescribing Information: Zepbound (tirzepatide injection)
- FDA Prescribing Information: Saxenda (liraglutide injection)
- CDC Adult BMI Calculator and Categories
- Caleyachetty R, et al. Ethnicity-specific BMI cutoffs for obesity based on type 2 diabetes risk. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021.
- WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations. Lancet. 2004.