Survey Finds Employer Coverage for Weight-Loss Drugs Rising

A recent Mercer survey indicates that 44% of U.S. employers with over 500 employees now cover weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, up from 41% in 2023. The coverage is even higher among larger firms, with 64% of companies with over 20,000 employees providing these benefits, reflecting a growing recognition of obesity as a public health issue. Weight-loss drugs have shown effectiveness, enabling users to lose between 15% to 20% of their body weight, but the rising costs of these treatments are increasing overall healthcare expenses for employers. To manage these costs, many employers are implementing authorization requirements to ensure that the medications are used effectively. Additionally, coverage for fertility treatments has also increased, with 47% of companies now offering in vitro fertilization. As healthcare expenses rise, employers are diversifying their health plan options to focus on outcomes and mitigate financial impacts.