FDA labeling and telehealth practice draw the eligibility line in different places. Here is what actually qualifies you for a GLP-1 prescription in 2026, and what to do if you are close to the threshold but not quite over it.
The one-line answer
Most U.S. telehealth providers in 2026 will prescribe GLP-1 medications to adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. That mirrors the FDA-approved labels for Wegovy and Zepbound.
FDA labeling thresholds
- Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) — approved for adults with BMI ≥ 30, or BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) — same thresholds.
- Pediatric labeling for adolescents 12–17 has been added for both medications, with stricter screening requirements.
Telehealth practice in 2026
Telehealth providers generally apply the FDA labeling thresholds, but with some variation in how strictly the BMI is verified. The current state of practice we have observed across our tracked providers:
- Self-reported height/weight is accepted at intake by most providers, with the BMI calculated automatically.
- A subset require recent labs (within the past 6–12 months) before issuing a prescription.
- A small minority require a recent in-person visit with a primary care clinician for BMI verification.
Borderline BMI cases
If your BMI is in the 25–26.9 range — the “overweight” band that does not meet the 27-with-comorbidity threshold — you are below the line for most U.S. telehealth GLP-1 programs. The honest options:
- Confirm any comorbidity that may have gone undocumented (sleep apnea, prediabetes, lipid disorders, hypertension).
- Consider non-prescription weight-management programs in the meantime.
- Re-evaluate eligibility if your weight or health picture changes meaningfully.
Comorbidities that lower the bar
The most common qualifying comorbidities that move the eligibility threshold from BMI 30 down to BMI 27:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes (in some providers’ protocols)
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at some providers