Alabama Regulatory Compliance for Anti-Obesity Medication (AOM)
Starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Vida will begin contacting members in Alabama who are currently prescribed Anti-Obesity Medications (AOM). Alabama regulations require these members to complete regular in-person visits with a physician to continue receiving medication.This article outlines the regulatory requirements for Alabama residents receiving Anti-Obesity Medication (AOM) via telehealth and the mandatory steps members must take to maintain compliance and continue receiving prescriptions through Vida.
Regulatory Requirement Overview
Alabama state law mandates specific in-person physician visits for residents receiving telehealth treatment for weight reduction or obesity.
- Initial Requirement: Complete one in-person physician visit after receiving their first telehealth prescription.
- Ongoing Requirement: Repeat an in-person visit every five months (or every six months/four refills, whichever occurs first, as indicated by member messaging).
To remain compliant, members must submit the Alabama Confirmation of Examination form, signed by their in-person physician and by the member themselves.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If the required form is not received by the due date:
- The member’s Vida prescription account will be suspended.
- The Vida Medical Provider (VMP) will be unable to refill the medication.
- Any scheduled VMP appointments will be canceled.
- The account will be reactivated only after the completed form is submitted.
Member Communication and Support
Members will receive clear communication regarding this requirement at enrollment and when the form is due.
Members enrolling in AOM treatment will see the following message:
Due Date Notification
After approximately 4 refills or 6 months (whichever comes first), the member will receive a chat message and the VMP will be notified.
Chat Message:
|
Hi {{${first_name}}}. If you’d like to keep getting your weight loss med refills with Vida, Alabama requires information from your regular doctor. Please have an in-person visit with your doctor. Ask them to complete the Alabama Confirmation of Examination form. View and download the form in [Documents]( Next, sign the form yourself. Please then upload the signed form to the Documents section. To keep getting refills, we’ll need a new form signed by you and your regular doctor every 6 months. Got questions? Call Vida Support at 855-442-5885. |
Confirmation of Receipt
Once the form is received, reviewed, and accepted, the member receives a push notification and a confirmation chat message.
Push Notification:
|
Title: Thanks for sharing a form with us Message: We have an update for you. Tap to see 👆 Action: Open chat |
Confirmation Chat Message:
Hi {{${first_name}}}.
Thanks for sharing the Alabama Confirmation of Examination form with us. We’ve reviewed your form. And you can keep getting your med refills with your Vida medical provider.
Want a refill now? Fill out [Form: Medicine Refill Check-In] (https://get.vida.co/vida?path=tool/view&unit-urn=urn:vida:program-unit:2975b68d-3704-48a3-a2e8-5cc25827a3bf).
Having trouble getting a call with your Vida medical provider for refills or medicine check-ins? Call Vida Support at 855-442-5885.
Support FAQs for Agents
| Question | Recommended Agent Response |
|---|---|
| What does this notification mean? | Alabama regulations require Alabama residents receiving telehealth treatment for weight reduction or the treatment of obesity to complete an in-person visit with a physician every five months to continue receiving medication. |
| What happens if I do not return the form by the due date? | If you do not return the form by XXXXX, your Vida prescription account will be suspended, and your VMP will be unable to refill your medication. Your account will be reopened once the completed form is submitted. |
| I cannot get an appointment by the cut off date. | Since Alabama regulations require an in-person visit, if you miss the deadline, your prescription account will be suspended. We encourage you to schedule your next in-person appointment ahead of time to avoid future issues. |
| I do not have a primary care physician (PCP). | Alabama regulations require you to complete an in-person visit with a physician every five months. Vida will be unable to continue prescribing your weight loss medication until you have established care with an in-person physician and submitted the required form. |
| I already have an appointment scheduled with my VMP. | If you do not submit the completed form prior to your scheduled VMP appointment, the appointment will be canceled. |
Form Submission Instructions and Escalation
Members have two primary methods for submitting the completed, signed form. Agents must follow the corresponding escalation path based on the submission method.
Submission Methods
- Fax: 877-684-4791
- Upload: Via the Documents section in the Vida app
🚨 Escalation Quick Reference
If a member reports submitting a form but has not received confirmation within 3 business days, follow the appropriate escalation path:
| Scenario | Escalation Action (ESCA Ticket Category) |
|---|---|
| Member submitted form, but it hasn't been processed (no update/confirmation). | Escalate via Med Records via JIRA |
| Member submitted form, and the processing system indicates a form error. | Escalate as technical bug to infra via JIRA |
| Member submitted form, but they are still blocked from receiving refills. | Escalate via Med Records via JIRA |
| Form was Emailed to qavida@vida.com or Uploaded to Vida app. | Escalate via Med Records via JIRA |
| Form was Faxed to 877-684-4791. | Escalate via Med Records via JIRA |
Additional Notes
- Impacted Member Group: This regulation affects members currently prescribed AOM residing in Alabama. currently, primarily from Northrop Grumman and Charter
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