9-item list

9 questions to ask your GLP-1 prescriber

The right prescriber adjusts doses, supports you through side effects, and helps you navigate insurance. The wrong one ghosts you. These nine questions, asked during the first consult or via the provider messaging system, reveal which kind you're working with.

1. 1

   Are you licensed in my state?

   Required for telehealth prescribing. Confirm via the state medical board if unsure.

2. 2

   Can I message you between visits — and how quickly do you respond?

   Top providers offer 24-48 hr response SLAs. Critical for the first 12 weeks.

3. 3

   What is your dose-pause policy?

   If side effects are severe, can you hold the current dose another month at no charge?

4. 4

   Which pharmacy will fulfill my prescription?

   For brand: confirm the pharmacy is reputable. For compounded: ask which 503A compounder and request a certificate of analysis.

5. 5

   Do you handle prior authorizations?

   Insurance-friendly providers run PAs themselves. Cash-only providers do not. Confirm expectations upfront.

6. 6

   What happens if I become pregnant or want to stop?

   GLP-1s are contraindicated in pregnancy. Plan for cycle tracking and contraception discussions.

7. 7

   How will we evaluate progress at 12 weeks?

   Weight, A1C (if T2D), waist circumference, side-effect burden. Anti-obesity medications work for ~60-70% of patients; the rest need a switch.

8. 8

   What's your refill / shortage protocol?

   During supply disruptions, can you switch me to a different agent without re-titration?

9. 9

   Are you affiliated with a manufacturer or pharmacy network?

   Disclosure matters. Some providers steer patients toward higher-margin formulations.