Employee Benefits Market Check Survey: Employer Strategies for GLP-1 Drugs

As benefit plan sponsors monitor industry trends, one topic that has grown in popularity the past year is the coverage of GLP-1 drugs (e.g. Ozempic, Wegovy). These drugs were initially developed to help treat Type 2 diabetes. What has emerged is their ability to also assist individuals with weight management. As pharmaceutical companies continue to invest in developing drugs in this category and as more data becomes available, employers and employees will need to adapt to the evolving landscape of GLP-1 drug utilization and coverage. We conducted two polls on May 23. The results are in the chart(s) that follow.

Results based on 247 employer respondents

Key Findings

With all the recent attention being given to this class of drugs (advertising, social media coverage, celebrity usage, etc.), it was surprising to find half of the respondents did not know how their medical plans currently covered GLP-1 medications. This reality presents an immediate opportunity for these plan sponsors to review their benefit documents. Should the plan be amended if these treatments are not currently covered for weight loss? If the decision is yes, employers should consider implementing controls such as step therapy, quantity limits, or prior authorization.

The discussion around GLP-1 drugs will increase during the next several years as more drugs are manufactured and brought to market as well as researched and developed to treat additional conditions. As obesity rates remain high, individuals will look for any solutions available to aid them in battling this condition. Certainly, companies have other options regarding weight loss support to provide for their workforce. Employers must develop an approach that balances costs with their overall population health goals.

Should you have any questions regarding any of this information or want to discuss your pharmacy strategy or industry-level data, please contact your local Assurex Global adviser.