Can I set my own pricing?

Yes. You control your margins. The patient pays your practice directly at checkout, and Qualiphy is paid behind the scenes.

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No Sign Up Fee

No Subscription Fee

No Contracts

Pay As You Go

Cancel Anytime

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

Can I offer GLP-1 shots via telemedicine?
Yes, as long as the provider is licensed in the patient’s state and a compliant GFE is conducted. Platforms like Qualiphy make this seamless.
Do I need to hire a telehealth provider?
No. Qualiphy supplies credentialed providers who act under your brand.
How fast can I launch?
In most cases, clinics are live within 72 hours. All tech, compliance, and provider sourcing are handled for you.
What if a patient doesn’t qualify?
They’re deferred safely and documented, and your team is notified via automation. You can choose to follow up manually or let EMR System handle re-engagement.
Can I set my own pricing?
Yes. You control your margins. The patient pays your practice directly at checkout, and Qualiphy is paid behind the scenes.

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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