Employers are limiting coverage for costly weight-loss drugs due to rising costs, while the Trump administration proposes reclassifying obesity as a chronic disease to expand access.

Employers are increasingly reevaluating coverage for expensive GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy due to rising costs, with 43% of large firms now offering coverage—up from 28% in 2024—while only 16% of smaller employers do so. The financial strain is prompting some to limit access based on BMI or require participation in weight management programs. Meanwhile, the Trump administration proposes reclassifying obesity as a chronic disease under Medicare, potentially expanding access and lowering out-of-pocket costs for these medications, which can also reduce risks for diabetes and heart disease when used with medical oversight.