The skyrocketing cost of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro is forcing a growing number of U.S. employers to drop coverage, potentially leaving millions of Americans to face significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses.
America's enthusiasm for GLP-1 weight-loss medications, with 30 million users, is causing a major financial strain on employer-sponsored health insurance. While two-thirds of U.S. companies currently cover these drugs, 10 percent are planning to eliminate coverage next year, according to a May survey. GLP-1s are identified as the biggest factor in an expected record increase in healthcare costs. Companies like PepsiCo, Cigna, and Starbucks have already pulled or limited coverage for weight loss, citing the drugs as 'fastest-growing costs' and necessary to maintain affordable healthcare. This shift could force patients to pay hundreds of dollars more monthly. However, some employers, such as Bank of America, see the investment as worthwhile, noting GLP-1s account for 13 percent of their healthcare spending and provide benefits like fewer sick days, with preliminary research suggesting potential long-term health advantages.
