Ricky MondelloI’m curious — does your employer’s health insurance cover weight loss medications?
Corry Haines@rmondello no, though incredibly the US federal employee insurance not only does, but makes an impassioned case in the medication’s favor
@corry This bit about the US federal employee insurance sounds like something you’re decently knowledgeable about. Is this something you could tell me more about or send resources you recommend about?
@rmondello I have a little snippet I put together recently in another context, quotes are from the OPM website or carrier letters:
> in 2014, OPM issued Carrier Letter 2014-04 clarifying that it is not permissible to exclude weight loss drugs from FEHB coverage on the basis that obesity is a “lifestyle” condition and not a medical one or that obesity treatment is “cosmetic.”
> In Carrier Letter 2022-03, OPM stated that FEHB Carriers are not allowed to exclude anti-obesity medications from coverage based on a benefit exclusion or a carve out. Carrier Letter 2022-02 outlines the requirements for NonDiscriminatory Formulary Design, namely, that a non-discriminatory formulary design does not have cost or access barriers imposed by disease or condition.
> As new anti-obesity drugs are approved by the FDA, OPM expects Carriers to evaluate and update their coverage of anti-obesity drugs.
The "letters" being referenced are available on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/carriers/fehb
AFAIK these letters were issued as a result of union action, but I haven't confirmed that.
