A growing number of companies will consider covering weight loss medications

That’s according to a new employer health benefits survey from KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation). But while a growing number say they are open to covering GLP-1 drugs, they are still in the minority. About 62% of firms surveyed said they were “not likely” to start coverage in the next year.

A large part of the reason for hesitation is cost. List price for Wegovy is $1,350 for a four-week supply. Ozempic is in the same neighborhood. Among companies that offer coverage, on 46 percent of days the decision “will have a ‘significant impact’ on prescription drug spending,” KFF writes.

Larger companies were more likely to cover expenses than smaller ones.

Another part of the hesitation is the length of time the drugs will be used. Several companies that cover them now require employees to enroll in a lifestyle or weight loss program in hopes of eliminating the need for these drugs over time.

“Coverage for these drugs is likely to remain a hot topic going forward as employers and other payers gain information about the long-term effectiveness and costs associated with these drugs,” KFF writes. “A key issue for payers and users of these drugs is whether those who use them can ultimately maintain a lower weight without continuing to rely on these drugs.”

Ironically, the increase in the number of companies considering coverage of GLP-1 drugs comes as a new survey finds that most Americans hoping to lose weight do not want to use the drugs.

A survey of 2,200 adults by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that 62 percent said they would prefer a change in diet over taking an injectable weight-loss drug.