Straight answers.
Questions before you start?
Email support@southernvirtualhealth.com. This is for administrative questions only. It is not a medical visit, not a prescription, and not emergency care.
Who can join?
Alabama residents only. You must plan to remain in Alabama for the duration of treatment and be physically in Alabama at each visit. Care is provided only by Alabama-licensed physicians, nurse practitioners (CRNPs), and Alabama staff. Screening may continue if you are 18 or older and your BMI is 30 or higher, or your BMI is 27.0–29.9 with at least one of these weight-related conditions: high blood pressure; high cholesterol or triglycerides; type 2 diabetes; obstructive sleep apnea; or coronary artery disease, prior heart attack, or stroke. Passing screening is not a medical visit and does not guarantee acceptance or a prescription.
How do I start?
Check eligibility. Most people finish in under 5 minutes. After you pass screening, enter your first name, last initial, and email. You will get a secure link to create your patient portal account. Then complete the pre-visit checklist: photo ID, proof of Alabama residency, labs from the last 90 days or the SVH lab order, remaining intake forms, and the $175 monthly membership and first visit. You must be physically in Alabama at each visit. Passing screening and paying for the first month does not mean you are accepted as a patient or that medication will be prescribed. The first visit is a paid clinical evaluation.
What does membership cost?
$175 a month, cash-pay. It does not include medication. We do not bill insurance. Optional dietitian and pharmacist add-ons are extra. Pricing for add-ons is provided upon inquiry.
How often are visits?
Visits at month 1 and month 2, then every 3 months — sooner if needed.
How do prescriptions work?
We send your prescription to Eli Lilly (LillyDirect) or Novo Nordisk (NovoCare). They email you. You register, pay them, and they mail it to your home. No compounding.
Is the drug included in the $175?
No. Membership is $175. Medication is paid to Lilly or Novo Nordisk at their checkout prices.
Who cannot join?
Program requirements: you cannot continue if you do not live in Alabama, plan to leave Alabama during treatment, or cannot be physically in Alabama at each visit; are under 18; have a BMI under 27; have a BMI of 27.0–29.9 and none of the weight-related conditions listed above; want compounded medication; want a guaranteed prescription before a clinician visit; or need emergency care. Medical reasons a clinician usually will not prescribe: do not start if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding; have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2; have had pancreatitis or a serious reaction to a GLP-1 medicine; have type 1 diabetes; or have an active eating disorder, severe psychiatric illness, or severe kidney or liver disease. A licensed clinician makes the final decision after the first visit. That visit is a paid clinical evaluation.
Which medications do you prescribe?
When appropriate: brand-name Zepbound®, Foundayo™, or Wegovy®. We do not use compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, or orforglipron.
What labs and documents do I need?
Photo ID, Alabama residency proof (license, utility bill, or lease), and labs from the last 90 days uploaded in the portal — not email. Your clinician confirms the panel, often CMP, A1c, lipids, TSH, and CBC.
What if I am already on a GLP-1?
Tell us in the portal. Current use is reviewed by a clinician. It is not an automatic pass or an automatic prescription.
What if I am already on a compounded GLP-1?
Tell us in the portal. SVH does not continue compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide. A clinician decides whether brand-name Zepbound®, Foundayo™, or Wegovy® is appropriate.
Can I use an FSA or HSA?
SVH does not bill insurance. Some FSA or HSA plans reimburse cash-pay medical care. Check your plan. We do not guarantee reimbursement.
What if I travel or live part-time out of state?
You must remain an Alabama resident for the duration of treatment. Short travel is not a substitute for living in Alabama. We cannot treat you if you leave the state. You must be physically in Alabama at the time of each visit.
What if I feel sick?
Mild stomach symptoms can wait for your next visit. Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids or protein: message the clinic and do not change your dose. Severe abdominal pain, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or anaphylaxis: call 911. SVH is not an ER.
Will I get a prescription?
Only if a licensed clinician decides it is appropriate after review. Screening and intake are not a prescription.
Can my regular doctor stay involved?
Yes. Continue care with your PCP and specialists. Share your SVH medication list with them.
How much are the dietitian and pharmacist add-ons?
Provided upon inquiry. Email support@southernvirtualhealth.com. They are optional, cash-pay, and not required to start membership.
How do I contact SVH?
Email support@southernvirtualhealth.com for non-urgent questions. After you are a patient, clinical messages go in the patient portal. This is not emergency care. Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Is this emergency care?
No. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for a medical emergency.
Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. Zepbound® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo™ is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Southern Virtual Health is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly.