Virtual Providers: Gatekeepers for Weight-Loss and Non-Opioid Nerve Pain Drugs

U.S. employers grappling with the high costs of obesity drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy are turning to virtual healthcare providers such as Teladoc to implement weight-loss management programs. These programs may require diet and exercise before granting access to the medications, potentially becoming employees' sole covered option. By limiting employees to smaller networks of providers or delaying prescriptions with lifestyle change mandates, companies hope to cut costs. More than a quarter of surveyed employers plan to use virtual providers for obesity drug prescriptions next year. The market for virtual obesity drug management is projected to reach $700 million in 2024 and potentially grow to $9 billion in the long term.