Rising Costs and Access Challenges in Weight Loss Medications

Employers like HCA Healthcare are dropping coverage for weight loss drugs such as Zepbound and Wegovy due to rising costs and are directing employees to manufacturer discount programs, which may be cheaper than insurance coverage. The growth of direct-to-consumer programs by pharma companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk is contributing to this shift, potentially making these drugs less affordable for the general public despite expanding access.