Why half of all workers may struggle to get weight-loss drug health insurance coverage

CNBC May 30, 2024
Cheryl Winokur Munk

Key Points

– Large corporations have started adding health insurance coverage for blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro.

– However, roughly half of the workers in the U.S. are employed by small businesses, which have added more than half of new jobs in the labor market since 2021.

– Small businesses often rely on off-the-shelf benefits plans offered by insurance carriers, and the expense of the blockbuster obesity drugs is an issue, which could lead to hard tradeoffs when it comes to wages and other benefits.

Companies are increasing access to new blockbuster weight-loss drugs for employees, but size of employer may make a big difference in early access. Small businesses and their workers are...

Today's Sponsors

Today's Sponsor