This brief examines the implications of rising prescriptions for costly GLP-1 drugs for state Medicaid programs as more states consider covering the drugs for weight loss. It examines recent trends in Medicaid prescriptions and gross spending on GLP-1s, and explores the potential implications of expanding coverage obesity drugs for Medicaid programs.| KFF
This analysis of survey data finds that over 40% of adults under 65 with private insurance could be indicated for a GLP-1 drug though relatively few have a claim, suggesting that a much smaller share seeks treatment through healthcare providers.| Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
This policy watch analyzes the latest data on Medicare Part D spending on GLP-1 drugs, initially approved to treat diabetes but in high demand as treatments for obesity, and shows how spending on these drugs has increased substantially in recent years.| KFF
Drugs solely approved to treat obesity have minimal to no coverage on most ACA Marketplace plans. Wegovy, a semaglutide approved for weight loss, is included in just 1% of Marketplace plans, while Ozempic, which has the same active ingredient but is approved for diabetes treatment and sometimes used off-label for weight loss, is included in 82% of Marketplace plan formularies. Among ACA Marketplace plans with these drugs on formulary, prior authorization is required by most plans. All plans ...| Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
KFF’s latest Health Tracking Poll examines the public’s views and use of an an increasingly popular class of prescription drugs used for weight loss and to treat diabetes or prevent heart attacks or strokes. The poll finds 12% of adults report having taken one of these GLP-1 drugs, which include Ozempic, Webovy and Mounjaro. This includes 6% who say they are currently taking one of the drugs.| KFF
