A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals results from a group of Canadian employers regarding considerations and coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, which have historically been used to treat diabetes and are increasingly being used to treat obesity.
When I spoke with Julie Stich, CEBS, VP of Content at the Foundation, she said coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss continues to be a hot topic of discussion. Additionally, while Health Canada has not approved indication for weight loss, employers are getting requests from employees. In January 2024, the International Foundation conducted a pulse survey to find out how Canadian employers are handling this issue.
Among survey respondents, 66% provide GLP-1 drug coverage for diabetes, 17% for both diabetes and weight loss, and 1% for weight loss only. Of the respondents who only cover GLP-1 drug coverage for diabetes, 9% are considering covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss too. This survey received responses from 82 organizations.
The most prevalent factors employers take into consideration for GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity care include:
- Obesity as a risk factor for chronic conditions and associated costs—67%
- Drug shortages—47%
- Impact/effectiveness of cost-control mechanisms—47%
- Existing coverage through government programs—40%
- Long-term costs—33%
- Patient and prescriber demand—33%.
Organizations that are covering GLP-1 drugs are using cost-control mechanisms such as utilization management (47%), annual maximums (40%), eligibility requirements (27%) and lifetime maximums (27%).
Other diabetes or weight-loss services that are covered via the respondents’ extended health plans include:
- Other prescription/non-GLP-1 drugs—56%
- Nutritional counseling—51%
- Telehealth/virtual care for lifestyle interventions—30%
- Disease management programs/case management—29%
- Telehealth/virtual care for GLP-1 drug treatment—17%
- Lifestyle modification programs—12%
- Bariatric surgery—5%.
For more information and to view the full survey report, visit www.ifebp.org/GLP1drugsCanada.
