The GLP-1 Opportunity
GLP-1 programs can be a strong growth engine for telehealth clinics—when they’re run like a complete program, not just a prescription workflow. Success comes from the full system: screening, follow-ups, retention, and operations.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed providers.
Patient Screening and Eligibility
Initial Assessment
A thorough initial assessment helps protect patients and reduces downstream churn. Common steps include:
- Medical history review: Identify risk factors and contraindications
- BMI and clinical context: Confirm the program is a fit
- Lifestyle and readiness: Set expectations and support needs
- Coverage and cost clarity: Align early on insurance vs. self-pay
Contraindications to Consider
Examples of contraindications commonly referenced in GLP-1 labeling and clinical guidance include:
- History of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Severe gastrointestinal disease
- Pregnancy or planning pregnancy
Your program should reflect your clinical policies and local requirements.
Medication Management
Starting Doses
Most programs start conservatively and titrate based on tolerability and response. A typical approach is:
- Weeks 1–4: Starting dose
- Weeks 5–8: First increase (if appropriate)
- Week 9+: Maintenance or further titration as clinically indicated
Monitoring and Follow-up
Consistent follow-ups are one of the biggest levers for retention and safety.
A simple baseline schedule many programs use:
- Week 2: Side-effect check-in
- Month 1: Weight progress + tolerability review
- Months 2–3: Efficacy evaluation and plan adjustment
- Ongoing: Monthly follow-ups or as needed
Patient Retention Strategies
Retention isn’t just reminders—it’s making the program feel guided and predictable.
Communication
- Automated reminders for check-ins and refills
- Educational content that answers common questions early
- Fast support loops for patient questions (without forcing calls)
- Clear expectations around timelines, titration, and outcomes
Engagement
- Progress tracking to reinforce momentum
- Goal setting with realistic milestones
- Positive reinforcement at key moments (week 2, month 1, etc.)
- Personalized follow-ups based on risk and adherence signals
Scaling Your Program
Automation
Once you scale beyond a small patient base, automation becomes essential:
- Intake forms that reduce manual work and triage faster
- Self-serve scheduling where it makes sense
- Billing workflows that reduce back-and-forth and failed payments
- Follow-ups triggered by patient behavior (missed check-in, refill due)
Team Structure
A scalable program usually splits work across roles:
- Clinical team: providers + nurses
- Support team: patient coordinators
- Operations: billing and program admin
- Platform ops: tooling, integrations, reporting
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: High patient dropout
Solution: Improve early-week experience:
- Week 1–2 check-ins with clear guidance
- Simple progress tracking
- Low-friction messaging support
- Better expectation setting (timeline and common side effects)
Challenge: Insurance denials
Solution: Reduce friction upfront:
- Pre-verify coverage where possible
- Submit complete documentation
- Track prior authorization status clearly
- Offer a self-pay path for patients who want speed and predictability
Challenge: Provider burnout
Solution: Design for throughput:
- Templates for common scenarios
- Delegate non-clinical tasks to ops/support
- Batch similar follow-ups
- Use async workflows where possible
Technology Solutions
A platform won’t “fix” the program, but it can remove the operational drag that kills scale.
Look for systems that support:
- Intake automation to reduce manual data entry
- Standardized workflows for follow-ups and documentation
- Billing + subscriptions to simplify renewals
- Patient portal to reduce repetitive support questions
- Analytics to monitor funnel + retention
Measuring Success
Track the metrics that drive long-term performance:
- Retention rate: % of patients continuing month-to-month
- Time to first touch: how quickly patients get started
- Completion rate: intake + follow-ups completed on time
- Support load: tickets/messages per active patient
- Revenue per patient: by cohort and program entry point
Be careful with “average weight loss” as a business KPI—outcomes vary, and reporting should be clinically responsible and compliant with your policies.
Conclusion
A successful GLP-1 program is built on consistency: screening, structured follow-ups, and retention workflows that patients actually complete. When you remove operational friction, your team can focus on care quality instead of chasing logistics.
Interested in learning more? Explore our GLP-1 solutions or contact our team to discuss your workflows.