Ricky MondelloI’m curious — does your employer’s health insurance cover weight loss medications?
Aleen@rmondello we have really stellar insurance through Justin's employer. They don't cover GLP-1 agonists if the patient doesn't have diabetes. I don't know about other classes of weight loss meds.
Greg Pierce@aleen @rmondello I don't think you'll find any insurance that covers off-label use of most any drug. Until the FDA approves the GLP-1 agonists *for weight loss*, I don't seem them covering it.
@agiletortoise @rmondello According to my last couple of PCPs, there are carriers who will cover them, but it's definitely the exception.
I also have to acknowledge that doctors are usually fairly far removed from insurance coverage questions.
Kyle Hughes@agiletortoise @aleen @rmondello This is the correct answer. GLP-1 inhibitors are not weight loss drugs by any technical definition yet. Additionally, they seem to require prior authorization which means your doctor has to apply for you, and that means insurance is keeping a keen eye.
You can find out all specific coverage information, including what therapies are approved and what the requirements are, by searching “<insurer> formulary”.
e.g. here is mine https://blueshieldca.adaptiverx.com/webSearch/index?key=8F02B26A288102C27BAC82D14C006C6FC54D480F80409B68651080F44A11E57C
Michael Fessler@agiletortoise @aleen @rmondello Wegovy is the same drug as Ozempic (semaglutide), but specifically approved for weight loss. Same for Zepbound and Mounjaro (tirzapatide).
@mfessler @aleen @rmondello Not pretending to be an expert, so perhaps that has changed. I thought that was qualified with a requirement of a coincident diagnosis of other weight-related conditions, like diabetes.