Telehealth Affiliate Marketing Glossary

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503A bulks list

FDA's list of bulk ingredients that 503A pharmacies may use to compound, beyond those in FDA-approved drugs or with a USP monograph. A substance not on the list generally can't be compounded from bulk. Learn more

503A pharmacy

A state-licensed pharmacy that compounds medication for an individual patient's prescription. Most telehealth programs that offer compounded drugs rely on 503A pharmacies.

503B outsourcing facility

A facility registered with FDA that compounds larger batches under stricter manufacturing standards, with or without individual prescriptions.

A

Approved claims

The health, price and eligibility statements an advertiser has substantiated and allows publishers to use. On MarketHealth they're listed in each offer's Publisher Marketing Brief. Learn more

Attribution window

How long after a click a conversion can still be credited to you. Also called a cookie window or referral period.

B

Brand bidding

Bidding on an advertiser's brand name in paid search. Most telehealth programs restrict or ban it. Learn more

C

Category 2

FDA's category for bulk substances nominated for compounding that raise significant safety risks. In April 2026 FDA removed 12 peptides from it, which didn't make them legal to compound. Learn more

Clawback

A commission taken back after it was paid, usually because the sale was refunded, canceled or found invalid. See also reversal.

Click ID

A random identifier attached to a click so a conversion can be matched back to it. It should never contain health information. Sub-IDs work the same way.

Compounded drug

A medication mixed by a pharmacy for a patient rather than mass-produced. Compounded drugs aren't FDA-approved and can't be marketed as the same as, or generics of, approved drugs. Learn more

Controlled substance

A drug regulated by the DEA because of misuse potential, such as testosterone (Schedule III). Telehealth prescribing of controlled substances has extra rules. Learn more

CPA (cost per acquisition)

A commission paid when a defined action happens, usually a purchase or first paid month. Learn more

CPL (cost per lead)

A commission paid for a lead that meets agreed criteria, such as a completed intake from an eligible state. Learn more

D

DEA telemedicine flexibilities

Temporary DEA rules that let clinicians prescribe controlled substances by telemedicine without an in-person visit. They currently run through December 31, 2026. Learn more

Disclosure

A clear statement that you earn money from a recommendation. The FTC requires it whenever you have a material connection your audience wouldn't expect. Learn more

E

Eligibility

Whether a person can use a telehealth program: their state, age, health history and the clinician's judgment. Only the clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate.

EPC (earnings per click)

Total commissions divided by clicks sent. Useful for comparing offers, but only after reversals are counted. Learn more

F

FDA-approved

A drug FDA has reviewed and approved for safety and effectiveness. Compounded drugs and peptides recommended by an advisory committee are not FDA-approved.

G

GEO

The geographic markets an offer accepts. For telehealth, usually a list of states where the provider's clinicians are licensed.

GLP-1

A class of medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, used for type 2 diabetes and weight management. The largest telehealth affiliate category. Learn more

H

Health Breach Notification Rule

An FTC rule requiring health apps and similar services not covered by HIPAA to notify people when their health data is disclosed without authorization, including through tracking.

HIPAA

The federal law protecting health information held by healthcare providers, health plans and their business associates. Publishers usually aren't covered by HIPAA directly, but FTC rules and state health privacy laws can still apply.

HRT

Hormone replacement therapy, often for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Telehealth HRT programs are one of the faster-growing categories. Learn more

I

Intake

The online health questionnaire a patient completes before a clinician reviews their case. A completed intake is a common lead event.

L

LegitScript

A company that certifies online pharmacies, telehealth providers and other healthcare merchants. Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok rely on it before allowing prescription treatment ads. Learn more

Licensed states

The states where a provider's clinicians are licensed to treat patients. Telehealth traffic from other states usually can't convert or earn a commission.

M

Material connection

Any relationship with a brand that could affect how your audience weighs your recommendation, including commissions, free products or ownership. It must be disclosed. Learn more

N

NABP

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Its accreditation of online pharmacies is accepted by some ad platforms alongside LegitScript.

P

PCAC

FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee. It advises FDA on which substances should be allowed for compounding. Its votes are recommendations, not decisions. Learn more

Postback

A server-to-server message from the advertiser confirming a conversion. More accurate than browser pixels, and easier to keep free of health data. Learn more

Private offer

A telehealth offer available only to approved publishers rather than listed publicly on an offer wall. Learn more

Publisher Marketing Brief

MarketHealth's per-offer document listing approved claims, creative, traffic sources, GEOs and restrictions. Where it's stricter than general rules, the brief applies. Learn more

Q

Qualified lead

A lead that meets the advertiser's defined criteria, such as being in a licensed state and completing intake. Only qualified leads earn a CPL commission. Learn more

R

Research use only (RUO)

A label on chemicals sold "not for human use." FDA has found the label doesn't protect peptides marketed for people. MarketHealth never accepts RUO offers. Learn more

Revenue share

A commission paid as a percentage of what the customer spends, sometimes including renewals. Learn more

Reversal

A conversion that's canceled after being recorded, for example because the patient wasn't eligible, was refunded or charged back. Reversal rates vary widely in telehealth.

ROSCA

The Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, the federal law on online subscriptions. It requires clear terms, consent before charging and simple cancellation.

Ryan Haight Act

The 2008 federal law that generally requires an in-person medical evaluation before prescribing controlled substances online. The DEA flexibilities are temporary exceptions to it.

S

Special registration

A DEA registration, still being finalized, that would let qualified practitioners prescribe certain controlled substances by telemedicine without a prior in-person visit. Learn more

T

Telehealth

Healthcare delivered remotely, by video, phone, messaging or an online questionnaire reviewed by a licensed clinician. Learn more

TRT

Testosterone replacement therapy. Because testosterone is a controlled substance, TRT telehealth depends on DEA telemedicine rules. Learn more