How private eligibility checks usually work
What many private providers ask before a consultation, and how to prepare for those questions.
What happens before a private consultation
Most private weight-management services begin with an eligibility screening before you speak to (or message) a prescriber. This is typically an online questionnaire that gathers basic health information. It is not a consultation itself — it is a triage step that determines whether you may be suitable for the service.
Understanding what these questions are for, and what to prepare, can help you feel more confident and less like you're being processed through a checkout page.
Information commonly requested
- Height and weight — to calculate a BMI figure. Most services require a BMI of at least 30 (or 27 with certain health conditions) before considering treatment.
- Medical history — current and past medical conditions, especially diabetes, thyroid disorders, eating disorders, pancreatitis, and gallbladder problems.
- Current medications — including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, to check for interactions.
- Previous weight-management attempts — many services ask about lifestyle changes you have already tried, reflecting NICE guidance that medicines should be considered alongside behavioural approaches.
- GP details — some providers request your GP practice name and address so they can communicate relevant clinical decisions.
What the screening decides
- Whether you meet the basic eligibility criteria for the service.
- Whether you should proceed to a consultation (online, phone, or video) with a prescriber.
- Whether the service may decline you — for example, if there is a medical contraindication or if your BMI is below the threshold.
Being declined is not uncommon and does not mean you cannot access treatment elsewhere. It may mean the service has specific criteria, or that a different pathway (such as an NHS referral) is more appropriate for your situation.
Good signs in an eligibility process
- The questionnaire asks detailed health questions rather than just weight and payment details.
- There is a clear statement that the service may decline to prescribe.
- You are told what happens next — whether that is a clinical consultation, a prescriber review, or a decision communicated to you.
- The service explains how your data will be used and whether it will be shared with your GP.
Warning signs to watch for
- An eligibility check that asks only for height, weight, and payment information.
- A process that feels like a sales funnel — designed to move you toward checkout rather than toward a clinical decision.
- No indication that the service might decline you or suggest alternatives.
- See the red flags guide for more on this.
How to prepare
- Have your height, weight, and a rough medical history ready — including any medications.
- Know your GP practice details in case you are asked.
- Use our eligibility orientation tool to get a general sense of which pathways may apply to you.
- Review the questions to ask a provider so you know what to look for once you begin.
Next steps
Last reviewed: March 2026