The Cost Crisis of Weight Loss Drugs

Dec 6, 2024

24:46

Weight Management Health Policy Healthcare Business & Marketing

Episode Description

GLP-1 medications like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic are taking the market by storm.

With demand soaring, many patients are realizing these medications are either not being covered or simply too expensive.

Is this all due to provider greed or is the issue more complicated?

In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss how the growing demand for weight-loss drugs is creating a conundrum for providers, forcing them to decide between avoiding the costs associated with at-risk patients or investing upfront for long-term savings.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

TOPICS
(0:38) Sponsorship
(2:06) Obesity in America
(2:40) The State of Insurance Coverage for GLP-1s
(3:27) Background on Obesity Drugs
(4:45) Formation of GLP-1 Use
(7:20) The Cost Conundrum of Weight-Loss Drugs
(10:16) How Insurance Impacts Weight-Loss Drug Coverage
(11:30) Understanding Adverse Selection
(14:30) How Insurers Prevent Coverage
(15:04) Decisions on Weight-Loss Drug Coverage
(16:07) What Makes GLP-1s Unique for Cost Coverage
(18:00) Will Weight-Loss Drugs Become Cheaper?
(21:22) Medicare's Role in Weight-Loss Drugs
(22:17) Examining Side Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

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