GLP-1 medications have taken center stage in workplace wellness conversations, and the numbers tell quite a story.
Picture this: prescriptions skyrocketed 300% between early 2020 and late 2022, with one in eight U.S. adults now reaching for these medications to manage their weight.
From a coverage perspective, the results speak for themselves. Patients using GLP-1 medications shed an impressive 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks, prompting employers to take notice. Company coverage for these medications has jumped from 26% to 34% in just the past year, with more organizations expanding their benefits to include both diabetes management and weight loss support.
But here's something that might surprise you—success with GLP-1 medications isn't as straightforward as it seems. More than 82% of users face gastrointestinal challenges along the way, and up to 40% of their weight loss could actually come from lean muscle rather than fat, underscoring a crucial truth—medication alone isn't enough.
Just like a tutor provides extra academic help, GLP-1 medications need proper wellness program support to deliver their full potential. The real magic happens when organizations pair these powerful medications with structured wellness initiatives that help employees navigate side effects, preserve muscle mass, and build lasting healthy habits.
GLP-1 Benefits and Side Effects
Ever wonder how a single medication can do so much more than just help with weight loss?
GLP-1 medications pack quite the punch when it comes to blood sugar levels and beyond. These drugs don't just stimulate insulin production—they actively block hormones that spike glucose levels.
In addition, recent studies have also shown that GLP-1 medications also improve liver function, reduce stroke risks, and decrease the chance of cardiovascular events by 20%.
Yet, despite the laundry list of positive outcomes, even miracle drugs have their drawbacks that employers need to be aware of. Half of all patients face challenging side effects, including:
- Nausea and digestive discomfort
- Temporary appetite changes
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Headaches and fatigue
- Increased risk of thyroid cancer
What separates GLP-1 medications from other weight loss solutions is their fast-acting, sustainable impact on high-risk individuals. But like any weight loss regimen, not even GLP-1’s have the ability to manage weight without proper lifestyle changes like regular exercise and healthy eating.
The ROI of GLP-1's
Money talks, and when it comes to GLP-1 medications, employers are all ears.
Last year alone, 43% of employers covered weight loss drugs like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, nearly doubling year-over-year.
And who can blame them? Organizations already offering this coverage report happier employees and higher health plan enrollment rates.
From an investment standpoint, these medications come with a monthly price tag between $1,000 and $1,500, pushing pharmacy benefit costs up by 7.7% this year. To keep expenses in check, employers have been:
- Ensuring prescriptions get proper authorization
- Setting clear BMI guidelines
- Requiring wellness program participation
- Following step-by-step therapy protocols
On top of reorganizing wellness at work in favor of suitable lifestyle changes, employers see more than just improved health outcomes by opting for GLP-1 coverage. As an example, individuals living with diabetes rack up medical bills 2.6 times higher than those without the condition, but organizations that cover GLP-1 medications see fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays, helping offset those initial medication costs.
Additionally, obesity-related complications drain more than $11 billion annually through lost productivity and missed workdays. But, companies covering GLP-1’s tell a different story—employees show up with more energy, better performance, and fewer sick days.
If that wasn’t enough, a whopping 99% of employers currently covering GLP-1 medications plan to keep doing so over the next year. With life-threatening conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and back pain being safely managed, employers have a golden opportunity to reinforce weight loss treatment with solid wellness support, creating a winning combination for both the bottom line and employee wellbeing.
🏥 The State of Insurance Coverage in 2025
While the results of taking GLP-1 medications are clear, the insurance landscape looks different depending on where you stand.
While over 95% of employers cover these medications for diabetes, only 67% of employer-sponsored plans extend coverage to weight management.
Insurance companies have also tightened requirements, mandating everything from doctor's notes to detailed weight histories to strict BMI thresholds.
The good news is that insurance companies appear to be on the side of long-term wellness, requiring individuals to participate in structured weight management programs before they'll even consider covering GLP-1 medications. Their new holistic approach considers behavioral, nutritional, and psychological factors working together to further weight management, and with digital health platforms keeping everyone on track at work, it’s a win-win for all.
Beyond the Drug: How Wellness Programs Provide Ongoing Support
As we’ve seen, weight-loss pills alone won't cut it for long-term weight management success. With 81% of HR decision-makers noting growing employee interest in these medications, it’s time to consider coupling GLP-1 coverage with innovative wellness solutions.
With help from a digital wellness platform that tracks progress and offers real-time support, employers can create an unstoppable weight management program for individuals taking GLP-1’s
Technology Integration
Providing members with round-the-clock recommendations and support becomes seamless when digital wellness programs sync smart devices and mobile apps directly with health records.
Members don’t have to lift a finger to access personalized reminders, activities, and updates, instead keeping their eyes on the weight-loss prize. On top of tracking steps, calories burned/consumed, blood sugar levels, heart rate, and more, these digital solutions can even notify healthcare teams when something needs attention, working to prevent small issues from becoming big problems.
In addition to key health updates, these powerful platforms can also provide members with:
- Medication and insulin reminders
- Symptom trackers
- Custom nutrition and exercise plans
- Direct lines to healthcare providers
- Success stories and community forums
Virtual Care Systems
Research shows that members using comprehensive digital support platforms alongside their GLP-1 medications stick to their weight-loss goals 32% longer than medication-only users, proving the efficacy of holistic wellness programming.
Virtual platforms now connect members with behavioral health specialists, nutritionists, and fitness experts so personal wellness is always available when they need it. These virtual care providers offer everything from coaching sessions to personalized workout plans that are designed to address specific needs.
To build on the support offered by outside point solutions, the most successful wellness programs pair virtual care with relevant workplace enhancements, including:
- Cooking classes and workshops paired with one-on-one nutritional coaching
- Fitness activities that build strength and stamina
- Stress-busting mindfulness practices that can be tracked throughout the work day
- Group support to maintain accountability
Mental Health Support That Goes the Extra Mile
It’s clear that exercise paired with GLP-1 medications keeps weight off better than pills alone. But the journey doesn't stop at the gym for most individuals.
Many people wrestle with emotional eating and mental roadblocks while taking weight-loss drugs that no amount of exercise can fix. Recent studies show that up to 60% of individuals seeking weight loss treatment report engaging in emotional eating behaviors. This underscores the importance of addressing the mental and emotional aspects of eating alongside the physiological changes induced by GLP-1 medications.
Integrating mental health support into treatment plans for individuals on GLP-1 medications isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a crucial component for long-term success. These medications may suppress appetite and reduce cravings, but they don't automatically rewire the brain's response to stress, anxiety, or other emotional triggers that lead to comfort eating. By providing heightened access to therapists, support groups, or cognitive-behavioral techniques, employers can equip members with the tools to identify and manage emotional eating patterns.
Where GLP-1 Pills End, Wellness Programs Begin
The GLP-1 medication story sounds impressive on paper—until you realize it's missing a crucial chapter. Structured lifestyle changes alongside GLP-1 treatments create better endings to weight loss stories, and what better way to support members than with comprehensive wellness program support.
Ready to write your organization's weight management success story? Reach out to our experts to learn how your wellness program can help your members cross the finish line.
