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What to Expect During Your Good Faith Exam: A Patient’s Guide

In today’s fast-paced world of aesthetic and wellness treatments, Good Faith Exams (GFEs) have become an essential compliance requirement across the United States. Whether you’re considering Botox, IV therapy, weightloss, or laser services, understanding what a GFE entails is critical to receiving treatment through a compliant and safe process.

In this guide, we break down everything a patient should expect before, during, and after their Good Faith Exam. We’ll also explore how telemedicine is reshaping access to these exams—making them easier, faster, and more secure than ever before. This guide is especially relevant for those visiting a med spa or wellness clinic, where GFEs are a legal prerequisite for many treatments.

What Is a Good Faith Exam?

A Good Faith Exam is a legally required medical evaluation performed by a licensed provider before prescribing certain treatments or medications. In the context of med spas, this exam is typically necessary before offering cosmetic procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, or even peptide therapies.

The purpose of the GFE is to establish a valid patient-provider relationship and ensure the patient is a suitable candidate for the requested treatment. GFEs assess patient history, contraindications, allergies, and other clinical indicators that impact the safety of the procedure.

Why GFEs Matter in Med Spas

Whether you’re getting a facial injectable or starting on GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide, a GFE ensures:

  • Medical necessity is established
  • Contraindications and allergies are reviewed
  • Treatment suitability is confirmed
  • State compliance is maintained

Failure to complete a compliant GFE can expose a clinic to legal and medical liability, and put the patient at risk. For this reason, GFEs are non-negotiable in most telehealth-enabled med spa practices.

Synchronous vs Asynchronous GFEs

With the growth of telemedicine, GFEs are now offered in two formats:

Synchronous GFEs (Live Video)

This involves a real-time video call with a licensed provider. It typically lasts between 5 to 15 minutes and allows for a dynamic interaction where patients can ask questions and receive immediate feedback.

What to Expect:

  • A secure video link is emailed or texted to you
  • You’ll log in using your phone or computer camera
  • A licensed provider will verify your identity, review your medical history, and discuss your treatment
  • You may be asked follow-up questions about past procedures or medications

Asynchronous GFEs (Form-Based)

This model allows patients to fill out a structured medical intake form, which is later reviewed by a licensed provider. It’s ideal for repeat visits or when live video is not convenient.

What to Expect:

  • You’ll receive a secure form via email or patient portal
  • The form will ask about your symptoms, goals, and medical history
  • A provider reviews your submission and approves or requests more information within hours

Both methods are compliant when used appropriately and based on state regulations. Platforms like Qualiphy offer instant GFEs using either format—all built with 50-state compliance in mind.

Step-by-Step: What to Expect During Your Good Faith Exam

Licensed provider conducting a Good Faith Exam via telemedicine for a med spa consultation.

1. Scheduling Your Exam

Most telemedicine platforms allow for 24/7 scheduling, with live provider availability 7 days a week. With Qualiphy, patients can access a provider between 6 AM and 7 PM PST.

2. Pre-Exam Preparation

Before your exam:

  • Ensure you are in a private, well-lit space
  • Have a valid government ID ready
  • Review your medications, allergies, and past medical history
  • Be prepared to discuss your desired treatment (e.g., Botox, GLP-1s, or peptide therapy)

3. During the GFE

Live Exam: The provider will:

  • Greet you and confirm your identity
  • Ask about your health history and treatment goals
  • Provide education on risks, benefits, and alternatives
  • Determine whether you are an appropriate candidate

Asynchronous Exam: You will:

  • Fill out a digital medical intake form
  • Submit any photos or information as required
  • Wait for a provider to review your submission (often within 2–4 hours)

4. Approval or Follow-Up

If you meet the clinical criteria:

  • Your treatment is approved
  • For prescription-based treatments, a script is sent to the pharmacy or medication is shipped directly

If more information is needed:

  • You may receive a request for clarification
  • A follow-up video may be scheduled for borderline cases

5. Accessing Your Results

  • If you’re using a white-labeled platform like Qualiphy, your results are visible inside the clinic’s own EMR or portal
  • No third-party branding is shown to patients
  • For treatments involving prescription fulfillment (e.g., GLP-1 medications or NAD+), tracking info is provided for delivery

Treatments That Require a GFE

Good Faith Exams are legally required for a wide range of services in the med spa industry. Here are some of the most common categories:

Cosmetic Injectables

  • Botox
  • Dysport
  • Xeomin
  • Daxxify
  • Jeuveau

     

Medical Aesthetic Treatments

  • Laser hair removal
  • IPL photofacials
  • Morpheus8
  • Microneedling with PRP
  • Chemical peels
  • PDO Threads

Wellness and Weight Loss

  • GLP-1 medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
  • Peptides like NAD+, Sermorelin, and PT-141
  • IV nutrient therapy
  • B12 injections

 

Each of these services requires a documented Good Faith Exam prior to administration.

The Role of Telemedicine in GFEs

Gone are the days of having to visit a clinic just for clearance. Thanks to telemedicine, patients can now access GFEs quickly, securely, and remotely. This transformation is driven by:

  • Increased demand for virtual care
  • Multi-state provider licensing
  • Platforms like Qualiphy that enable nationwide compliance

In fact, Qualiphy’s pay-per-use telemedicine infrastructure allows med spas to offer compliant GFEs with zero overhead, instantly scaling operations without added admin burden.

What Sets Qualiphy Apart?

When choosing a GFE provider, not all services are equal. Here’s how Qualiphy differentiates itself:

  • Compliance-first automation: Each exam meets stringent state regulations
  • Nationwide coverage: Providers licensed in all 50 states
  • Synchronous and asynchronous options: Built-in flexibility
  • White-labeled: Patients only see your med spa branding, not ours
  • Transparent pricing: $27.99 per GFE, no subscriptions or hidden fees
  • API and EMR integration: Streamlined and efficient

FAQs: Good Faith Exams

  • A synchronous GFE takes about 5–15 minutes. Asynchronous options may take a few hours for provider review.

  • If the treatment involves prescription medication, devices, or is medically supervised, a GFE is required.

  • Many treatments require a one-time GFE, but some (like GLP-1s) need follow-ups for refills or dose changes.

  •  Yes. Qualiphy and similar providers ensure full HIPAA compliance and secure data handling.

  • Providers are automatically assigned based on your state, ensuring licensure compliance.

Summary: Why Every Patient Should Care About GFEs

Whether you’re scheduling Botox or starting on a Semaglutide weight loss program, the Good Faith Exam is your first step toward safe, effective, and compliant care. It ensures your treatment is medically appropriate and legally authorized—protecting both you and the clinic.

Using a telemedicine platform like Qualiphy, you gain access to:

  • Instant clearance for over 50 treatment types
  • Licensed providers in all 50 states
  • Seamless prescription fulfillment and nationwide shipping
  • Full med spa branding with white-labeled portals
  • No subscriptions. Just $27.99 per use

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Looking for more information?
Explore our previous article: Good Faith Exam Documentation: Best Practices for Med Spas