Telemedicine and Good Faith Exams: What’s Allowed in Your State?
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment, telemedicine is no longer an optional convenience—it’s a strategic advantage. For medical practices, aesthetic clinics, and wellness providers, offering services like GLP-1 weight loss programs via virtual care isn’t just about scalability—it’s about compliance.
But here’s the challenge: telemedicine laws vary dramatically from one U.S. state to another, especially when it comes to Good Faith Exams (GFEs). Whether you’re prescribing medications or launching a new service line, understanding the legal framework in your state is critical.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- What constitutes a Good Faith Exam in a telemedicine setting
- Which states allow telemedicine-only consultations
- Where in-person exams or audio-visual communication are required
- How you can stay compliant while expanding services
- The role platforms like Qualiphy play in protecting your license and your practice
What Is a Good Faith Exam in Telemedicine?
A Good Faith Exam (GFE) is a foundational requirement in medical practice. It refers to a clinical assessment conducted by a licensed provider to evaluate whether a patient is a suitable candidate for a treatment or prescription.
In traditional settings, a GFE might involve a physical exam. In telemedicine, however, the GFE can be conducted via secure video consultation—as long as it’s allowed under your state’s laws.
Key Elements of a Telemedicine-Based GFE:
- Patient identity verification
- Medical history review
- Visual or audio-visual evaluation
- Documented consent
- Secure EMR documentation
Practices using Qualiphy can complete this process in under 3 minutes, with full automation and seamless charting, all branded to your clinic, not the provider.
Is Telemedicine Legal for Good Faith Exams in All States?
No. While telemedicine is legal in all 50 states, not all states permit telemedicine to be used as the sole method for conducting a GFE. Some require an in-person exam before initiating treatment, especially for controlled substances or cosmetic procedures involving injectables.
Here’s a general breakdown:
State | Telemedicine-Only GFE Allowed? | In-Person Exam Required? |
California | Yes (with documentation) | No |
Texas | Yes (real-time audio/video required) | No |
Florida | Yes (for most services) | No |
New York | Yes | No |
Arizona | Yes | No |
Georgia | Yes, but with caveats for controlled substances | Conditional |
Tennessee | No (in-person exam required first) | Yes |
Arkansas | No (initial visit must be in-person) | Yes |
South Carolina | Yes (must be audio-visual) | No |
Idaho | Yes | No |
Laws change frequently. Always verify with your state’s medical board or legal counsel.
See full state-by-state GFE guidelines →
Can You Prescribe Medications via Telemedicine?
Yes—if you’re compliant with your state’s GFE and telemedicine laws.
The DEA’s Ryan Haight Act traditionally required an in-person visit before prescribing controlled substances, but due to COVID-19 waivers and evolving legislation, many of these rules have changed. As of 2025, the DEA has proposed a permanent telemedicine rule allowing prescriptions post-telehealth visit under strict protocols, including identity verification, EMR documentation, and state licensure.
With Qualiphy:
- All GFE sessions are HIPAA-compliant
- Licensed providers are credentialed in each state
- Prescriptions are sent to approved pharmacies
The patient receives medication directly, often within 72 hours
How to Stay Compliant with Telemedicine
If you’re planning to launch a telemedicine program for aesthetic medicine, wellness, or weight loss treatments (like GLP-1 medications), here’s what you need to have in place:
1. State Licensure
Your provider must be licensed in the state where the patient is located at the time of the visit. Multi-state coverage is key for scalability.
2. Platform Compliance
Use a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine solution with EHR integration and time-stamped logs.
3. Documentation
Every telemedicine visit must generate a legally valid medical chart. Intake forms, consents, SOAP notes, and prescriptions must be recorded.
4. Branding and Disclosure
Patients must know they’re being treated by a licensed provider. However, when using Qualiphy, the provider acts on behalf of your clinic—patients see your branding, not Qualiphy’s.
What Services Can Be Offered via Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is not limited to primary care. In fact, it’s redefining how practices deliver care across several verticals.
- IV nutrient therapy
- Medical weight loss (GLP-1, B12, Lipo shots)
- Prescription skincare
- Hormone therapy
- Mental health consults
- Acne and dermatology care
- UTIs, cold sores, birth control
The Benefits of Using Qualiphy for Telemedicine Compliance
Launching a telemedicine program with full compliance used to require lawyers, tech vendors, and scheduling staff. Not anymore.
With Qualiphy, you get:
- Fast exams: Patients can be seen in real-time in under 3 minutes during staffed hours
- No staffing required: Providers are supplied and credentialed
- Full documentation: All GFE notes are stored securely.
- Prescription fulfillment: Medications are sent from one of 20+ vetted pharmacies
- No learning curve: It’s all branded to you—patients see your practice name, not ours
Explore the Qualiphy →
What Happens if You Violate State Telemedicine Laws?
Operating outside your legal scope can result in:
- Loss of license
- Fines and penalties
- Lawsuits or patient complaints
- DEA scrutiny if controlled substances are involved
This is why automating compliance is critical. You don’t want to gamble your practice’s reputation over poor documentation or an unlicensed consult.
How to Launch a Nationwide Telemedicine Program in Days
Using an integrated tech stack, your entire telemedicine model can be live in under 3 days—with automated intake, EMR sync, and provider consultations handled seamlessly.
Here’s how:
- Embed a paywall and digital intake form on your website to collect patient information and payments upfront.
- Patient data is then automatically synced into your EMR system, ensuring seamless chart creation and recordkeeping.
- GFE is requested, completed, and documented in minutes
- Prescription is approved, sent, and delivered
- Deferred patients receive follow-ups via automated SMS and email
It’s fully automated, fully branded, and fully compliant.
See how it works →
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts: Telemedicine Is the Future—But Only If You Play by the Rules
Telemedicine allows practices of any size to compete nationally—without hiring more staff or expanding physically. But it comes with strict compliance requirements that differ by state.
Using turnkey solutions like Qualiphy, you can scale without risk, keep your patient base in-house, and offer trending services like GLP-1 weight loss programs or IV nutrient therapy with total confidence.
Stay compliant. Stay competitive. Stay branded.
Disclaimer: This blog is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Laws and regulations regarding Good Faith Exams vary by state and are subject to change. Always consult with a licensed healthcare attorney or regulatory expert before implementing changes to your practice.
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