Healthcare organizations and insurers are facing scrutiny over the restrictions placed on weight-loss drugs, shedding light on the disparities in obesity care coverage. The tightening of regulations around the use of highly effective weight-loss medications has brought attention to the unequal treatment of obesity within health plans.

The rise of drugs like Ozempic, categorized as GLP-1 agonists, has contributed to a shift in perceiving obesity as a chronic condition rather than a lifestyle issue. However, concerns have emerged regarding the potential financial strain of providing treatment for the substantial portion of the population affected by obesity.

Despite some employers offering limited coverage for obesity care, the extent of coverage and the associated restrictions are notably more stringent compared to other medical conditions. This divide becomes evident when considering anti-obesity medications, with only 27% of employers providing coverage for weight loss drugs, in contrast to 76% covering GLP-1s for diabetes, as reported in a 2023 survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Medicare has historically prohibited coverage for weight-loss drugs, and certain states are imposing further limitations. In response, a coalition of healthcare organizations, spearheaded by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention, has initiated the EveryBODY campaign, advocating for comprehensive obesity care coverage and challenging the misconceptions surrounding obesity that have led to insurance constraints.

Moreover, the National Council on Aging and National Consumers League released an ‘Obesity Bill of Rights’ in January, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment of individuals with obesity within the medical system. Tracy Zvenyach, policy director at the Obesity Action Coalition, stressed the importance of recognizing obesity as a serious chronic disease, echoing the sentiments expressed in the campaign.

Notably, the debate surrounding coverage for obesity care has also been influenced by pharmaceutical companies, with some advocating for broader coverage to expand their customer base. For example, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, is a supporter of the EveryBODY covered campaign.

Zeke Emanuel, a medical ethicist and former health policy adviser, highlighted the disparities in obesity care coverage as a reflection of deep-seated societal biases. Emanuel condemned North Carolina’s decision to cease coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss treatments, emphasizing the unethical nature of denying coverage based on individuals being obese.

The mounting scrutiny surrounding the limitations on weight-loss drugs underscores the need for a more equitable approach to obesity care coverage, addressing the underlying biases and advocating for comprehensive treatment of obesity as a chronic condition.