If you are starting on an appetite suppressant, there are some important rules & regs to understand. For newer medications such as Qsymia, Contrave, and Saxenda, the rules are the same in Kentucky and Ohio. For older medications such as Adipex (phentermine) and Tenuate (diethylpropion), they are quite different!

Adipex (phentermine) and Tenuate (diethylpropion)

Monthly Office Visits

We require a visit every 4 weeks while being treated with weight loss medications. At least one visit every 3 months (including the initial visit) must be live, in-person. In between visits can be done virtually. If you are more than a few days overdue for an appointment, it is considered a gap in treatment and we will not be able to give you a script. We require a 3 month medication-free interval before any medication can be restarted in this case.

Ohio

to begin treatment, patient must have a BMI of 30+, or 27-30 with an eligible weight related medical issue
3 months of treatment (3 prescriptions) can be initiated, and no breaks are allowed
- if there is a break in therapy, patient must be off all weight loss meds for 3 months before restarting
patient MUST lose weight at least 5% of their total body weight by the end of 90 days, or the medication must be stopped

Kentucky

patients who are continuing to lose weight can be treated for up to 12 months (no breaks in treatment allowed unless at least 6 months)
patient MUST lose weight at each visit or medication must be stopped
after 12 months a patient can transition over to Qsymia or Contrave
patient must have a BMI of 27+, or 25-27 with an eligible weight related medical issue

Qsymia

Since Qsymia is a new medication, the rules are the same for Ohio and Kentucky, and it is acceptable to start the medication in our Kentucky office and follow-up in one of our Ohio offices, or vice-versa.
Patient must have a BMI of 30+, or 27-30 with an eligible weight-related medical issue, to begin treatment.
As long as certain weight loss goals are met, the medication does not have to be stopped as it is intended to be used for long-term weight management. If these goals are not met, the medication must be discontinued.
After a minimum of 4 months, in certain cases a prescription can be given for 30 days+2 refills, and the patient only needs to come in for a live visit once every 3 months.

Contrave

Since Contrave is a new medication, the rules are the same for Ohio and Kentucky, and it is acceptable to start the medication in our Kentucky office and follow-up in one of our Ohio offices, or vice-versa.
Patient must have a BMI of 30+, or 27-30 with an eligible weight-related medical issue, to begin treatment.
As long as certain weight loss goals are met, the medication does not have to be stopped as it is intended to be used for long-term weight management. If these goals are not met, the medication must be discontinued.
After a minimum of 4 months, in certain cases a prescription can be given for 30 days+2 refills, and the patient only needs to come in for a live visit once every 3 months.

Wegovy/Saxenda

Since Contrave is a new medication, the rules are the same for Ohio and Kentucky, and it is acceptable to start the medication in our Kentucky office and follow-up in one of our Ohio offices, or vice-versa.
Patient must have a BMI of 30+, or 27-30 with an eligible weight-related medical issue, to begin treatment.
As long as certain weight loss goals are met, the medication does not have to be stopped as it is intended to be used for long-term weight management. If these goals are not met, the medication must be discontinued.
After a minimum of 4 months, in certain cases a prescription can be given for 30 days+2 refills, and the patient only needs to come in for a live visit once every 3 months.