24 Million Americans Lost Coverage for Weight Loss Drugs Wegovy and Zepbound
Twenty-four million Americans lost insurance coverage for popular weight loss drugs over the past year. Twelve million people lost coverage for Zepbound and another twelve million lost coverage for Wegovy, according to drug discount website GoodRx.
Insurance companies dropped coverage for two blockbuster weight loss medications, leaving millions of patients scrambling for alternatives. GoodRx analyzed coverage data and found that 12 million people lost access to Zepbound and 12 million lost access to Wegovy over the last year.
Both drugs belong to a class called GLP-1 medications, which help people lose weight by reducing appetite. Without insurance, these drugs can cost more than $1,000 per month, putting them out of reach for most patients.
The coverage cuts force difficult choices. Some insurance plans now cover only one weight loss drug instead of multiple options. This means patients might have to switch medications even if their current drug is working well.
Medical experts say lifestyle changes alone are not enough to treat obesity long-term. The body fights weight loss by changing hormones and metabolism, which usually leads to gaining the weight back. That's why doctors recommend combining diet and exercise with medication for lasting results.
Meanwhile, Medicare recently opened the door to covering weight loss drugs, though final rules are still being worked out. Some health plans worry about the high costs and side effects that cause many patients to stop taking the drugs within a year.
These drugs can cost over $1,000 per month without insurance coverage. Patients who depend on these medications for weight loss may have to stop treatment, switch to different drugs, or pay full price out of pocket.
Watch for Medicare's final decision on covering weight loss drugs and whether other insurers follow suit.
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