The skyrocketing popularity of pricey new anti-obesity drugs puts employers in a bind. They must decide whether to broadly cover GLP-1s for everyone who qualifies or limit that coverage. Some even consider shutting off access to the life-changing drugs completely. But that would be a mistake. Cutting GLP-1s from the formulary isn’t the answer to curbing obesity costs.
Obesity is a disease
For one, it’s unethical and even medically irresponsible to deny obesity treatment. Obesity isn’t a trivial cosmetic issue; it’s a disease — and was designated as such by the American Medical Association over ten years ago. Valued employees deserve top medical care that includes clinically validated obesity treatments like GLP-1s. If employers don’t cover the care people deserve, those employees will be motivated to find coverage elsewhere. After all, many companies and plans now cover GLP-1s for treating obesity.
