"Changing Landscape: The Future of Obesity Medicine and Access to New Weight Loss Drugs"

Many U.S. companies are facing challenges in providing health insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, despite increasing demand. The high cost, lack of long-term data on effectiveness, and potential side effects are causing employers to grapple with coverage decisions. While some are already providing coverage with limitations, others are considering it. Employers are concerned about the substantial costs, with some already covering the drugs citing higher employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Consumers without coverage may face significant out-of-pocket expenses, but some may be eligible for manufacturer assistance programs. Despite the current coverage challenges, experts expect that most companies will eventually provide coverage for these drugs due to their potential long-term benefits.