What to Expect at Your First GLP-1 Appointment on Medicare

You have decided to ask your doctor about a GLP-1 medication. Maybe you read about the Medicare Bridge program and want to find out if you qualify. Maybe a friend started Wegovy and you saw her results. Maybe your knees hurt and your doctor mentioned weight loss. Whatever brought you here, the first appointment can feel intimidating if you do not know what to expect. This guide walks you through the entire visit — from check-in to walking out with a plan — so there are no surprises.

Before the appointment: what to prepare

The more prepared you are, the faster and smoother the appointment will go. Doctors appreciate patients who come organized — it saves time and helps them complete the prior authorization paperwork more efficiently.

• Your Medicare Part D card and plan name — the doctor's office will need this to submit the prior authorization.
• A complete list of every medication you take, including dosages and how often you take each one.
• Your most recent height and weight — your doctor will verify these, but knowing them ahead of time helps you estimate your BMI.
• Recent lab results if you have them — A1C, fasting glucose, lipid panel, blood pressure readings, thyroid function. If you do not have recent labs, your doctor may order them at this visit.
• A written list of your weight-related health conditions — hypertension, pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis.
• A brief history of previous weight loss attempts — diet programs, exercise plans, Weight Watchers, medical weight management, bariatric surgery consultations. Many prior authorization forms ask about this.
• Your questions written down — it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask once you are in the exam room.

What happens during the appointment

Vitals and measurements

The nurse or medical assistant will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. These measurements are critical for the prior authorization — particularly your height and weight, which determine your BMI. Your BMI needs to be 35 or higher (or 27 or higher with a qualifying condition) for the Bridge program.

Medical history review

Your doctor will review your complete medical history, paying particular attention to conditions that affect GLP-1 eligibility and safety. They will ask about your weight history, previous weight loss efforts, current medications, thyroid conditions, history of pancreatitis, kidney function, and any family history of medullary thyroid cancer. Be honest and thorough — this information protects you and strengthens your prior authorization.

Physical examination

Your doctor will perform a focused physical exam, checking your thyroid (by feeling your neck), listening to your heart and lungs, palpating your abdomen, and possibly checking for signs of fluid retention or circulation issues. This is standard and typically takes just a few minutes.

Lab work

If you do not have recent lab results, your doctor will likely order blood work. Common tests include a comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney and liver function), A1C or fasting glucose (blood sugar), thyroid function (TSH), and a lipid panel (cholesterol). Some of these results support the prior authorization, and all of them establish a baseline for monitoring your health during GLP-1 treatment.

The conversation about treatment

Your doctor will discuss whether you are a good candidate for GLP-1 treatment based on your exam, labs, and medical history. If you qualify, they will explain which medication they recommend (Wegovy, Zepbound, or possibly Foundayo), the titration schedule, expected side effects, and what lifestyle changes you will need to make alongside the medication — particularly around protein intake, hydration, and exercise.

This is your opportunity to ask questions. Good questions to consider include:

• Which medication do you recommend for me and why?
• What side effects should I watch for in the first few weeks?
• Do I need to adjust any of my current medications?
• How much protein should I aim for each day?
• When will my first follow-up appointment be?
• How long will the prior authorization take?

What happens after the appointment

Prior authorization submission

Your doctor's office will submit the prior authorization to Humana (the Bridge program's central processor) or to your Part D plan. This includes your BMI, qualifying diagnoses, lab results, and the specific medication being requested. Processing typically takes 3 to 7 business days, though expedited requests can be completed in 72 hours if your doctor certifies medical urgency.

Waiting for approval

This is often the hardest part — waiting. Your doctor's office should contact you when the authorization is approved. If it is denied, do not panic — denials are common and can be appealed. See our guide on handling a prior authorization denial.

Picking up your prescription

Once approved, the prescription is sent to a participating retail pharmacy. You pick it up and pay your $50 Bridge program copay. The pharmacist can answer questions about storage, needle attachment, and injection technique. Many pharmacies offer a brief injection demonstration for first-time users — do not hesitate to ask.

Starting a daily tracking habit from day one gives you the best foundation for success. CairnSpace lets you log your meals, water intake, weight, symptoms, and injection schedule — all in one place. Bringing a summary of this data to your follow-up appointment gives your doctor a complete picture of how your first month is going.

Related Articles

• How to Talk to Your Doctor About GLP-1 Medications on Medicare
• The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and How to Enroll
• Does Medicare Cover GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications in 2026?
• A Week-by-Week Checklist for Your First Month on a GLP-1 — Medicare Edition

Sources

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program prior authorization guidelines (2026)
• American Association of Clinical Endocrinology — obesity evaluation and treatment clinical practice guidelines
• FDA prescribing information — Wegovy and Zepbound pre-treatment screening recommendations
• Medicare.gov — understanding prior authorization in Part D prescription drug plans