Health system ends coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 drugs, citing $19M in savings

UVM Health in Vermont will stop covering GLP-1 drugs for employees who use the drugs for weight loss in a move the system says will save it $19 million annually. News site vtdigger reports that “shifting the cost onto individuals” will keep insurance premiums down for the more than 10,000 employees and their families UVM insures. The health system will cease coverage in September but continue covering the drug for diabetes management. Fifteen percent of Americans have taken the medicine for weight loss at some point, according to a Gallup survey released July 7, up nine percentage points from just two years ago.