Verbatim response from Perplexity
Before paying, look for a real medical evaluation, clear provider licensing, FDA-approved Wegovy, and an ongoing follow-up plan—not just a quick questionnaire and a charge page.[1][2][10]
What to verify before you enter payment details:
- Licensed prescriber in your state: The clinician must be licensed where you are located at the time of the visit, and the site should clearly identify who will prescribe your medication.[1][10]
- Live clinical visit: A legitimate service should include an actual video or telehealth consultation, not approval based only on an intake form.[1][2]
- Proper eligibility screening: They should check your BMI and medical history to confirm you meet Wegovy criteria and are an appropriate candidate.[1][4]
- Safety screening: They should ask about contraindications such as medullary thyroid cancer, MEN2, pancreatitis, pregnancy, and relevant medications or conditions.[1][2][4]
- Medication source: Ask whether you will receive brand-name, FDA-approved Wegovy from a licensed U.S. pharmacy; be cautious if the platform offers compounded or unclear-source semaglutide.[2][6][10]
- Follow-up and dose management: Wegovy is titrated over time, so the provider should include follow-ups for side effects, dose changes, and progress monitoring.[2][5]
- Transparent pricing: You should see the consultation fee, subscription or monthly fee, medication cost, and any follow-up charges up front.[1][4]
- Insurance help: A stronger provider will help with prior authorization, coverage questions, or appeals rather than forcing cash-only payment with no support.[1][2]
- Secure platform: The service should be HIPAA-compliant and use secure communication for visits and messaging.[1][4][10]
- Reputation and legitimacy checks: Look for independent reviews and, if possible, confirm the provider’s license with your state medical board.[4][7][10]
A few red flags before paying:
- “Guaranteed prescription” before any evaluation.[1]
- No live visit with a clinician.[2]
- No discussion of side effects, risks, or alternatives.[3]
- Automatic refills with no check-ins.[2]
- Unclear or very low-cost compounded semaglutide without transparent pharmacy information.[2][10]
- Claims that you can buy Wegovy without a prescription.[6]
If you want, I can also give you a 1-minute checklist you can use to compare telehealth providers before you pay.