A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans shows continued reluctance by United States employers to cover glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs for weight loss. Going forward, however, lower net costs may induce better coverage by employers. Makers of GLP-1s for obesity are offering an array of discounts, some to insurers, others directly to patients.

The IFEBP first conducted the survey in Oct. 2023 and again in May 2024. In the latest survey released ten days ago, employers revealed that 55% of them provide coverage of GLP-1s for diabetes only, while only 36% provide coverage for both diabetes and weight loss. And of those employers currently offering GLP-1 drug coverage solely for diabetes, just 17% are considering reimbursement of drugs for weight loss.

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