Weighing in on GLP-1s: Essential Strategies for Workforce Wellness

Published: February 27, 2025

Hear leaders from IBM, DeKalb County Georgia, and Kaiser Permanente discuss the current and future state of weight loss medications, like GLP-1s, and key considerations for tailoring benefits to improve workforce health.

GLP-1s are getting a lot of attention for helping with weight loss. In fact, 20% of employees would switch jobs for GLP-1 coverage.¹ However, their sky-high price tags of up to $1,349 per month and unknown long-term impact make it difficult for employers to decide the best approach.²

Key takeaways

Considerations for GLP-1s in a health benefits strategy
- Assess cost and outcomes within your employee population.
- Ensure there are appropriate controls, while reducing excessive barriers.
Ways to stay ahead in the evolving weight loss medication landscape
- Leverage health care partners to continually evaluate employee health progress and data to adapt strategies.
- Monitor drug pipeline, new indications, and Medicare and Medicaid changes.
- Stay up to date with weight loss medication resources, including newsletters, podcasts, and regular communication updates.
Impact of a thoughtful healthy lifestyle approach
- A whole person lifestyle approach combats cost and supports employees battling obesity.
- Comprehensive approaches include emotional health support, exercise and nutrition coaching, financial education, and social connection.

Featuring

Deb Friesen, MD, MBA, FACP

Physician Advisor, Customer Clinical Solutions, National Sales and Account Management Kaiser Permanente

Sean Hashmi, MD, MS, FASN

Regional Director, Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente

Kaitlin Stephens

Director, Global Benefits, IBM

Michelle Walldorff, MS, ACSM EP-C

Wellness Coordinator, Risk Management, DeKalb County Georgia

Additional resources you may find helpful

KP CARE & VALUE

Superior pharmacy experience, greater cost savings

ARTICLE

GLP-1s and workforce health: Obesity, Ozempic, and overwhelming unknowns

TOOLKIT

Healthy Lifestyle Toolkit

Footnotes:

1. “Covering Weight Loss Medications in 2024 — What Employers Need to Know,” 9am Health Survey, December 2023.
2. Paige Twenter, “In US, GLP-1s Cost Hundreds More than Similar Nations,” Becker’s Hospital Review, August 18, 2023.

The views and opinions expressed by presenters and participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Permanente Medical Groups, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and each of their affiliates and subsidiaries (“Kaiser Permanente”).