As the medical aesthetics and wellness industries increasingly adopt telemedicine, navigating the legal landscape becomes essential for clinic owners and medical directors. Two terms that often surface—Good Faith Exam (GFE) and Patient Specific Orders (PSOs)—are frequently misunderstood or used interchangeably. However, understanding the distinct regulatory and operational differences between these two is critical for compliance, risk management, and scalability.
In this article, we will break down the legal definitions, compliance requirements, and real-world implications of Good Faith Exams and Patient Specific Orders. We will also explore how solutions like Qualiphy enable fully compliant, nationwide telemedicine implementation for med spas, aesthetic clinics, and wellness providers.
A Good Faith Exam is a mandatory medical evaluation conducted by a licensed provider before prescribing medications or performing specific medical procedures. The term originated from legal statutes requiring that medical treatment must be based on a proper assessment of the patient’s health status.
At Qualiphy, all Good Faith Exams (GFEs) are built with state-by-state compliance in mind, supporting both synchronous (live video) and asynchronous (form-based) modalities across all 50 states. Clinics can access instant Good Faith Exams for treatments like Botox, GLP-1 prescriptions, peptides, and more—with clearance stored securely in an EMR or in the Qualiphy portal.
A Patient Specific Order (also called a Patient Specific Prescription or Protocol) refers to a directive written by a licensed provider for a specific patient, authorizing a medication or medical service. Unlike a GFE, which is a prerequisite evaluation, a PSO is the next step in the clinical pathway—authorizing the treatment plan or medication based on the evaluation.
In many states, GLP-1s like compounded Semaglutide or Tirzepatide require a PSO before pharmacy fulfillment can occur. Platforms like Qualiphy streamline this process with built-in telemedicine protocols, provider-issued PSOs, and direct pharmacy integration.
Aspect | Good Faith Exam (GFE) | Patient Specific Order (PSO) |
Purpose | Initial assessment of patient safety for treatment | Diagnosis with directive on treatment and medication if applicable |
Timing | Must occur before treatment | Must occur before treatment, with order written after consultation. |
Who performs it | Licensed provider (MD, DO, NP, PA) | Licensed prescriber (MD, DO, NP, PA) |
Legal requirement | Acceptable in some states | Acceptable in ALL states |
Compliance implications | State-specific telehealth laws and scope rules | State specific telehealth laws, Pharmacy Board and DEA prescription regulations |
Incorrectly replacing a GFE with a standing order or protocol can lead to serious violations:
By using a telemedicine provider like Qualiphy that offers both compliant GFEs and automated PSO issuance, clinics protect themselves from legal exposure.
With laws varying state by state, it’s impossible to expand without scalable compliance systems. Qualiphy allows med spas to offer GLP-1s, peptides, and cosmetic procedures nationwide without hiring providers in every state.
Separating GFEs from PSOs and automating them through a unified portal:
The growing acceptance of telemedicine has significantly shifted how GFEs and PSOs are conducted. Many states now permit:
Qualiphy’s telehealth infrastructure is optimized for this environment:
Explore Qualiphy’s full list of available GFEs including:
Let’s walk through an example of compounded Semaglutide, a popular GLP-1 medication for weight management.
What’s Required?
What Happens If You Skip Step 1?
The prescriber and clinic may be charged with “prescribing without examination”—a major violation in most states.
Qualiphy solves this entire workflow:
Not all platforms offering GFEs or telemedicine comply with state-specific PSO rules. Key indicators of a compliant partner include:
Unlike WeTreat or GFease, Qualiphy integrates both GFEs and PSOs under one compliant, white-labeled workflow with no subscription fees—allowing your clinic to scale without hiring in-house staff or increasing chair time.
Regulatory & Operational Area |
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Initial Medical Evaluation (GFE) |
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Follows Up With Patient Specific Order (PSO) |
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Telehealth Mode Compliance |
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GFE Timing & Prescribing Protocol |
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Pharmacy Fulfillment Authorization |
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DEA & Board of Medicine Risk Exposure |
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Storage of PSO & GFE Documentation |
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Integrated Pharmacy Workflow |
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GLP-1 Compliance Readiness (e.g., Semaglutide) |
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Automated Paper Trail for Legal Defense |
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State-by-State Legal Variation Handling |
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Scalability for Multi-State Clinics |
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Insurance & Malpractice Risk Reduction |
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Pricing Transparency & No Subscription |
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The difference between a Good Faith Exam and a Patient Specific Order is more than semantics—it is the cornerstone of clinical compliance in the aesthetic and wellness space. Misunderstanding this distinction can lead to costly violations and delayed treatments.
For medical spa owners and operators looking to stay compliant, reduce overhead, and grow across state lines, leveraging a telemedicine partner like Qualiphy is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Looking for more information?
Explore our previous article: Good Faith Exams: Upholding Standards in Modern Healthcare Practices
Qualiphy (PSO + GFE)
GFE Clearance Only
Often missing or left to client/provider, risking fulfillment issues