Three benefits of investing in a weight loss program for employees

Almost 60 percent of employers do not cover the newest medications used for obesity—GLP-1s—because they are so cost-prohibitive, with monthly list prices around $1,000 or more per employee. For companies without GLP-1 coverage, investing in a weight management program that provides a flexible medication approach, better known as step therapy, is critical to increase the chances of sustainable health outcomes and mitigate the risk of high medication costs.

With a sea of employer-sponsored weight loss programs, like any employee wellness offering, there can be significant differences between them.

How are employee weight loss programs different?

Here is an example of where those differences may come in: Several programs rely heavily on GLP-1 medications, but making those the only options for a weight loss program means that a portion of the employee population might not be eligible to participate or will not see significant results if other clinically effective, non-GLP-1 medications are a better fit.

With Found, employers can invest in an advanced benefit design with a flexible medication approach. This flexibility means employers do not have to suddenly change their formulary if it does not currently offer GLP-1 coverage. Found’s board-certified providers are trained in obesity medicine and can prescribe treatment from a portfolio of more than 10 medications that can be used in more than 70 different combinations to personalize treatment for each member. (The actual number of medication combinations available per person is different based on medical history, medications, preferences, and insurance coverage. Prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion.)

Key advantages of investing in a program with a step therapy approach

Sustainable health outcomes

While GLP-1s are highly desired due to their effectiveness with weight loss, clinical trials show that as many as 30% of patients do not respond to this class of drugs. Therefore, investing in a weight loss program that relies on this treatment can impact employers' medication utilization without driving improved health and cost savings.

That's why access to other clinically effective non-GLP-1 medications for weight loss is an essential part of a weight care program. With Found, employees gain access to high-quality care and the right prescription medication based on their unique biology and metabolic health.

Better risk mitigation

If medication is prescribed or prescribed without proper clinical guidance, it may not lead to significant weight loss. Even after weight loss, after treatment ends, some may regain up to two-thirds of the weight they'd lost. For employers, this means incurring a significant financial and talent retention risk.

From a financial standpoint, GLP-1 costs can become long-term investments. According to Mercer’s Health & Benefits Strategies for 2024 survey report, employers’ health care costs are expected to increase by 8.5% in 2024, primarily driven by weight loss drugs. If these medications are not delivering value, those costs can threaten to reduce ROI.

In terms of talent retention, a survey done with the Obesity Action Coalition reported that more than half of employees would stay with their current employer at a job they didn’t like to retain access to obesity treatment—and 44% of people with obesity said they would change jobs to gain coverage for treatment. A non-flexible medication approach may lead to frustration among employees if they aren’t eligible for GLP-1s, leading to retention challenges.

Improved cost control

GLP-1 medications can cost employers $1,000+ per patient per month. Organizations that have implemented GLP-1 reliant programs have built significant guardrails to mitigate the risk of high medication costs. For example, employers may require employees to try other weight loss strategies before being eligible for GLP-1s. This approach can exclude many employees who might benefit from specialized weight care.

Found provides employers with the ability to control costs while giving their workforce access to the care they need. By not using GLP-1s as the first line of therapy, employees can achieve clinically significant weight loss with medication alternatives. Ninety-one percent of Found members who have lost 15%+ of their body weight at 12 months have done so with non-GLP-1s.

Unlock new value from your benefits strategy with Found for Business

Step therapy is among the many features Found offers that enable an advanced benefits design for employers. By partnering with Found, organizations can realize up to a 3x ROI in one year and experience cost savings among some of their highest spend categories.

About Found

Found is among the largest medically supported telehealth weight care clinics in the country, having served more than 250,000 members to date. Our mission is to help employers build happier, healthier teams by effectively improving employee health through comprehensive, personalized weight care.

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