10% of US Employers Plan to Drop GLP-1 Obesity Coverage in 2027 as Use Climbs
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
10% of US Employers Plan to Drop GLP-1 Obesity Coverage in 2027 as Use Climbs
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
Summary
About 10% of employers that currently cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs expect to drop that benefit in 2027, according to Business Group on Health; Mercer separately found 5% of large employers plan the same.
Rising enrollment is offsetting lower drug prices, as new oral options from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly bring in first-time users and keep overall employer spending elevated.
44% of employers with more than 500 workers cover obesity GLP-1s, Mercer said, while Business Group on Health put 2026 coverage among large employers at 67%.
$149-a-month direct-to-consumer pills and more transparent pricing have highlighted how much employers say they still pay through pharmacy benefit managers, adding pressure to cut coverage.
Cigna already stopped covering the drugs for its own employees starting in July, underscoring a broader employer push to rein in what consultants call a growing long-term cost driver.