By Mike Joseph
Struggling with weight loss? Looking for an easier way to get prescription weight loss medications? Eli Lilly’s new telehealth consultation website allows you to get weight loss drug prescriptions shipped right to your door with just a few clicks. Read on to learn how this innovative service can help you finally achieve your weight loss goals.
Thesis
Eli Lilly’s new telehealth consultation website streamlines access to prescription weight loss drugs by allowing patients to obtain medications through remote doctor consultations. This service increases accessibility, convenience, and affordability of these potentially life-changing medications.
Introduction
Losing weight can be an incredibly challenging journey. Although diet and exercise are fundamental to weight loss, for some people, that’s simply not enough. Prescription medications may provide the extra help needed to finally shed those stubborn pounds. However, up until now, getting those prescriptions has meant time-consuming doctor’s appointments and trips to the pharmacy.
Eli Lilly, maker of the newly FDA-approved weight loss drug Zepbound, has launched a telehealth platform that allows patients to obtain weight loss drug prescriptions from the comfort of home. This article will explain what telehealth is, provide an overview of Eli Lilly’s new website, outline the process for getting a prescription, and discuss the many benefits this service offers patients seeking weight loss aids.
Background Information
Overview of the Weight Loss Drug Market
The prescription weight loss drug market size was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow rapidly in coming years. Some of the major prescription weight loss medication categories include:
- Lipase inhibitors – These work by preventing the absorption of fat in the intestines. Examples are Orlistat and Alli.
- Appetite suppressants – These stimulant-based drugs reduce appetite by acting on neurotransmitters in the brain. Phentermine is one commonly prescribed appetite suppressant.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists – These injectable drugs mimic the appetite-reducing hormone GLP-1. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity are popular GLP-1 agonists.
The GLP-1 Agonist Class of Weight Loss Drugs
GLP-1 receptor agonists are an exciting new class of weight loss medications that work by activating glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors. This hormone plays a key role in appetite and blood sugar regulation.
Some benefits of GLP-1 drugs include:
- Significant weight loss – Patients lose an average of 10-15% of body weight.
- Reduced hunger – GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite and promote fullness.
- A1C reduction – They can lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Fewer side effects – Nausea is the main side effect. Otherwise, they are well tolerated.
FDA Approval of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound
In November 2022, the FDA approved tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Zepbound, for chronic weight management.
In clinical trials, Zepbound produced substantial weight loss, with study participants losing on average between 12.9% and 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
Zepbound is the first GLP-1 drug that activates both the GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. Activating both pathways results in greater appetite suppression and weight loss compared to other GLP-1 drugs.
The Benefits of Weight Loss Medications
For overweight and obese individuals, losing just 5-10% of body weight can have tremendous health benefits, including:
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- Improved blood sugar control
- Decreased joint pain
- Increased energy
- Better sleep
Additionally, weight loss medications when combined with lifestyle changes can help patients:
- Overcome biological barriers to weight loss
- Accelerate rate of weight loss
- Sustain long-term weight maintenance
Features of Eli Lilly’s Weight Loss Drug Prescription Website
Eli Lilly’s telehealth platform allows patients to conveniently obtain Zepbound and other weight loss medication prescriptions from home. Here’s an overview of how it works:
Telehealth Consultation Process
Patients first create an account and complete an online questionnaire. This collects information on health history, current medications, and weight loss goals.
Next, they schedule a remote appointment with a licensed healthcare provider. Consultations take place via phone or video chat.
The provider reviews the patient’s information, asks additional questions, and determines if prescription weight loss medication is appropriate. If so, they electronically prescribe it through the platform.
Eligibility Requirements
To be prescribed weight loss medication through the website, patients must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a BMI of 27 or higher (or 25 or higher if they have obesity-related conditions)
- Not have any contraindicated medical conditions
- Pass a screening for eating disorders
Weight Loss Medication Options
The platform offers several FDA-approved prescription medications:
- Zepbound – Eli Lilly’s newest GLP-1 drug that promotes weight loss by reducing appetite.
- Wegovy – Another GLP-1 drug made by Novo Nordisk that can lead to significant weight loss.
- Qsymia – A combination drug containing phentermine and topiramate to curb hunger and reduce weight.
- Contrave – A naltrexone/bupropion combination pill to control cravings.
Prescription Home Delivery
Once prescribed, medications are conveniently shipped to the patient’s home through mail-order pharmacy partners. Automatic refills can be set up for long-term use.
Comparison to Other Telehealth Services
Eli Lilly’s website offers a streamlined process for obtaining anti-obesity medications specifically. Other telehealth platforms like Teladoc and K Health focus on general medical care and may not always offer weight loss prescriptions.
Benefits of Eli Lilly’s Weight Loss Drug Prescription Website
This innovative telehealth platform offers many advantages for patients struggling with weight loss:
Increased Access to Weight Loss Drugs
Seeing a specialist for obesity treatment can be difficult and time-consuming. Telehealth makes weight loss medications more accessible by eliminating geographical and scheduling barriers.
Convenience for Patients
The entire process from consultation to prescription delivery is done online at home, work, or anywhere with an internet connection. No commute to appointments required!
Potential Cost Savings
Depending on insurance coverage, using telehealth services can sometimes be cheaper than in-person doctor visits. Home delivery also eliminates pharmacy trips.
Improved Patient Outcomes
Easier access to weight loss therapies means more patients who need them will start treatment. This can lead to significant health improvements.
Telehealth Consultations for Weight Loss Drugs
Overview of Telehealth for Weight Loss Medications
Telehealth platforms like Eli Lilly’s are making doctor consultations virtual to improve access to weight loss prescription drugs.
Instead of requiring in-office appointments, patients have live video or phone conversations with providers. Prescriptions are then submitted electronically to pharmacies.
Getting a Prescription Online
Here are the typical steps to obtain prescription weight loss medications through telehealth:
- Patient creates account and completes health questionnaire
- Video or phone consultation with weight management provider
- Provider reviews case and prescribes medication if appropriate
- Prescription sent to mail-order or local pharmacy
- Medication shipped to patient’s home
Benefits and Limitations of Telehealth Weight Loss Consultations
Benefits
- More convenient access for patients
- Eliminates travel for appointments
- Potentially lower costs
- Easy prescription home delivery
- Expanding access to obesity medicine specialists
Limitations
- Still requires internet access and tech literacy
- Provider cannot physically examine patient
- Not all insurance plans cover telehealth
- State laws can affect prescribing online
- Patient must be proactive and engaged
Patient Eligibility and Benefits Verification
Before prescribing medications via telehealth, providers must verify patient eligibility and insurance coverage.
Eligibility Verification Process
Providers or their staff will:
- Confirm patient demographics like name, birthdate and insurance ID number
- Run patient’s information through insurance database or pharmacy benefit manager portal to check current coverage
- Determine if insurance plan covers prescription weight loss drugs and required tier for the medication
- Check for any prior authorization requirements or quantity limits on the drug
This ensures the prescription will be filled correctly and covered by the patient’s plan.
Importance for Billing Process
Verifying eligibility upfront prevents potential issues that could disrupt care or billing down the line. It ensures:
- Prescriptions comply with the patient’s pharmacy benefit plan
- Patient will not be surprised by high drug costs if expectation was coverage
- Necessary prior authorizations are obtained before prescribing
- Accurate electronic claim submission for reimbursement
Ways to Check Eligibility
Providers can check patient eligibility through:
- Insurance company web portals or automated phone systems
- Services like Change Healthcare, CoverMyMeds, or PokitDok
- Electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions
- Insurance membership cards with information
- Pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) databases
Confirming eligibility takes a few minutes but saves significant headaches!
Planning Your Telehealth Workflow
Incorporating telehealth visits into your healthcare workflow takes careful planning. Here are some key steps:
Map Out Your Current Workflow
Create a flowchart documenting your current processes for in-office visits. Note key personnel, resources used, timing, documentation, and follow up protocols.
This provides a baseline understanding of workflow elements to adapt for telehealth.
Identify Changes Needed for Telehealth
Analyze each component of your current workflow and determine what needs to change to accommodate remote visits, including:
- Scheduling – How will telehealth appointments be booked? What virtual visit types will you offer?
- Check-in – How will patients announce arrival for telehealth visits? Will you collect contact and insurance information digitally?
- Visit structure – What will be the format and length of telehealth consults? Build in time for tech troubleshooting.
- Platforms – Evaluate EHR, e-prescription, and video chat tools you will utilize. Ensure proper integration.
Develop New Telehealth Workflow
Using the insights gained from previous steps, map out a new workflow for telehealth appointments, outlining each step from appointment scheduling to visit wrap up and follow up.
Identify any gaps to be addressed before launch.
Continual Optimization
Monitor the implementation, identify pain points, and continually optimize the workflow. Solicit patient and staff feedback to improve the process over time.
Well planned telehealth workflow integration results in successful adoption and positive provider and patient experiences.
Conclusion
Eli Lilly’s new telehealth platform offers an innovative way for patients to access prescription weight loss medications from home. This service provides remote, convenient doctor consultations that eliminate geographical and access barriers.
Patients complete an online questionnaire, have a phone or video chat appointment with a provider, and if appropriate, receive electronic prescriptions for FDA-approved weight loss drugs shipped to their door. This model empowers more people to start potentially life-changing obesity pharmacotherapy.
Potential Impact
This telehealth platform can significantly impact obesity treatment by enhancing access to medications that, along with lifestyle changes, can help chronic weight management. Increased telehealth adoption across medical fields can also reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes.
Patient-centered innovation that breaks down barriers to medical care has an exciting future ahead. Services like Eli Lilly’s provide a glimpse into this future and the potential for transformative change in healthcare service delivery.
Recommendations
For patients struggling with obesity and interested in weight loss medications, this telehealth platform offers a convenient option to have an initial consultation and get prescribed medication without leaving home. This makes weight loss treatment more accessible for millions of busy individuals.
Healthcare providers should keep abreast of telehealth advances that can help appropriate patients get evidence-based obesity treatment. With careful preparation, telehealth can be smoothly incorporated into clinic workflows to expand access and improve weight management outcomes.
