Do You Qualify for a GLP-1? Eligibility 2026

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At a glance: who qualifies?

Your situation	Do you qualify?	Notes
BMI ≥ 30	Generally yes	Obesity — qualifies on BMI alone, per FDA label
BMI 27–29.9 + a weight-related condition	Generally yes	e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease
BMI 27–29.9, no qualifying condition	Generally no	Below the FDA-label threshold without a comorbidity
BMI under 27	Generally no	Below the approved threshold for any FDA-label indication

Eligibility is confirmed by a licensed clinician. Information current as of June 2026; requirements change and vary by state.

The BMI thresholds, explained

The FDA-approved weight-management GLP-1s (semaglutide 2.4 mg / Wegovy and tirzepatide 2.5–15 mg / Zepbound) use two thresholds:

• BMI ≥ 30 — qualifies on weight alone. A BMI of 30 is the clinical threshold for obesity; no additional diagnosis is needed.
• BMI ≥ 27 — qualifies if you also have at least one of the weight-related conditions named in the FDA labels (see next section).

BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. Most telehealth programs calculate it from the height and weight you enter at intake. It is an imperfect proxy — it does not distinguish muscle from fat — but it is what the FDA labels use, and it is what clinicians apply at screening.

If you are uncertain of your BMI, a clinician will calculate it during your evaluation. You do not need to know the number in advance to complete an intake questionnaire.

Which conditions count at BMI 27–29.9?

The conditions explicitly named in the Wegovy and Zepbound FDA labels include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Cardiovascular disease (Wegovy also carries an FDA-approved cardiovascular risk-reduction indication based on the SELECT trial, Lincoff et al., NEJM 2023)

Prediabetes and PCOS are not named in the FDA labels as qualifying conditions for weight-management use. However, clinicians sometimes consider them as weight-related conditions on a case-by-case basis — so they are a "maybe," not an automatic qualifier. If you have either, disclose it; a clinician will evaluate your full picture.

Can you qualify if you're not diabetic?

Yes. You do not need diabetes to qualify. The weight-loss GLP-1s — Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) — are approved for chronic weight management based on BMI and weight-related conditions, not on diabetes status. Ozempic and Mounjaro are the diabetes-labeled versions of the same active ingredients.

For the research context: in the STEP 1 trial (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021), participants treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg lost a mean of about 15% of body weight over 68 weeks. The SURMOUNT-1 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022) reported that participants on tirzepatide lost up to about 22% of body weight over 72 weeks. These are trials of the branded molecules — they describe how the active ingredients performed in those study populations, not predicted outcomes for any individual patient or for compounded medications.

For related edge cases, see can you get a GLP-1 without a BMI of 30?

What if you're in the gray zone (BMI 27–30)?

This is the most common eligibility question. The rule is strict: BMI 27–29.9 with no qualifying condition generally does not meet the FDA-approved threshold. If a provider approves a GLP-1 for someone in this range without a documented comorbidity, that prescription is outside the FDA label — a decision that carries real regulatory and safety implications.

The honest framing: if you have a BMI in the high 20s and no qualifying condition, the responsible path is to pursue lifestyle modification first and discuss the clinical picture with a provider. Nouri's intake process screens for this; not every applicant is approved, and that is intentional. For more on this edge case, see GLP-1 if you only have a little to lose.

What else does a clinician evaluate?

BMI and qualifying conditions are the primary screening criteria, but a clinician's evaluation goes further. Before prescribing, a licensed provider typically reviews:

• Medical history — past or current conditions that could affect how GLP-1 therapy works or whether it is safe for you (e.g., personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pancreatitis history, or kidney concerns)
• Current medications — for interactions and contraindications
• Vital signs and relevant labs — some programs order or recommend bloodwork where clinically indicated; see lab work before starting a GLP-1
• Your goals and expectations — to confirm this is the right tool for your situation

For an overview of what the intake and prescribing process looks like step-by-step, see how online GLP-1 programs work.

A note on compounded GLP-1 medications

The eligibility thresholds above apply to the FDA-approved branded drugs. If you are prescribed a compounded semaglutide or compounded tirzepatide through a telehealth program, the same clinical criteria are used at screening. However, compounded medications are not FDA-approved, are not the same as Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro, and are not therapeutically equivalent to those drugs. The FDA oversees compounding separately through its human drug compounding framework. A clinician determines whether compounded therapy is appropriate given your individual clinical need. For a full overview of the telehealth process, see how online GLP-1 programs work.

How Nouri's intake process works

Nouri is built to make the legitimate path easy. You complete a 5-minute online questionnaire; a U.S.-licensed clinician reviews your health intake — with a video visit where your state requires one — and, if appropriate, your therapy ships discreetly from a named, state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy (Jungle Jim's Pharmacy, Fairfield OH). Nouri is LegitScript-certified, available in all 50 states, and The Program includes a nutrition plan, a movement plan, and ongoing concierge care — all at one price. Any dose, same price; longer commitments lower the monthly cost.

Plans start at $120/month for compounded semaglutide (on the 6-month plan) and $175/month for compounded tirzepatide (on the 6-month plan). For a full breakdown of what each plan costs and includes, see GLP-1 cost in 2026. Pricing data is also available in the open Nouri GLP-1 Telehealth Pricing dataset.

Not every applicant is approved — eligibility is a clinical determination, not a checkout flow. The Nouri Promise: a full refund on the 3-month and 6-month plans if you're not satisfied in your first 30 days.

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Related getting-started guides

• How Online GLP-1 Programs Work — the full process from intake to first dose
• Can You Get a GLP-1 Without a BMI of 30?
• GLP-1 If You Only Have a Little to Lose
• How to Get Semaglutide Online
• Lab Work Before Starting a GLP-1
• Do You Need a Prescription for Semaglutide?

Frequently asked questions

What BMI do you need for Wegovy?

A BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea). This comes directly from Wegovy's FDA label.

Do I qualify for Ozempic?

Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, so it's prescribed for diabetes management. For weight loss, the on-label brand is Wegovy (the same active ingredient — semaglutide), which uses the BMI ≥30, or ≥27-with-a-condition criteria. A clinician decides what is appropriate for your individual situation.

What is the minimum BMI for semaglutide?

For weight management, the minimum is generally a BMI of 27 — but only if you also have a weight-related condition named in the FDA label. With no qualifying condition, the threshold is a BMI of 30. Per the NIDDK, these thresholds apply to all FDA-approved weight-management medications in this class.

What BMI do you need for Ozempic or Zepbound?

Zepbound (tirzepatide) for weight loss uses the same criteria as Wegovy: BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related condition (per the Zepbound FDA label). Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss. A clinician confirms what's appropriate for your situation.

What weight-related conditions qualify you?

The FDA labels name high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. Prediabetes and PCOS are not in the labels but may be considered by a clinician on a case-by-case basis — they are a "maybe," not an automatic qualifier.

Can I get a GLP-1 if I'm not diabetic?

Yes. You do not need diabetes. The weight-loss GLP-1s (Wegovy, Zepbound) are approved for chronic weight management based on BMI and weight-related conditions, not on diabetes. You do not need a diabetes diagnosis to qualify.

How do I check my eligibility without a doctor's office visit?

Online telehealth programs like Nouri let you complete a health intake questionnaire that screens for eligibility. A U.S.-licensed clinician reviews your responses and determines whether a GLP-1 is clinically appropriate — no in-person visit required, though some states require a brief video consultation. Start your assessment here.

Sources & references

• Wegovy FDA label (semaglutide 2.4 mg) — eligibility criteria [Tier 1]
• Zepbound FDA label (tirzepatide) — eligibility criteria [Tier 1]
• NIDDK: Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity [Tier 1]
• FDA: Human Drug Compounding [Tier 1]
• Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). NEJM 2021. [Tier 1]
• Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). NEJM 2022. [Tier 1]
• Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). NEJM 2023. [Tier 1]
• FDA: Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss [Tier 1]
• Nouri GLP-1 Telehealth Pricing Dataset 2026 (HuggingFace) — open pricing data for GLP-1 telehealth programs

Medically reviewed by Amber Patel, MD. Nouri Editorial Team content is reviewed by licensed clinicians and updated as guidance changes.

This article is general education, not medical advice — eligibility and prescribing decisions are made by a licensed clinician based on your individual evaluation. Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk; Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly; Nouri is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these companies. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved and are not the same as, or therapeutically equivalent to, the brand-name drugs. Trial results cited (STEP 1, SURMOUNT-1, SELECT) are research findings on the branded molecules and do not represent predicted outcomes for compounded medications or for Nouri patients. Telehealth prescribing requirements vary by state and may change. Information is current as of June 2026. Keep prediabetes and PCOS framed as "may be considered," not as FDA-label criteria; eligibility is a clinician decision; do not imply everyone qualifies.