Business Group on Health survey finds 67% of large employers cover GLP-1s for weight management

A survey of 105 large employers released May 6, 2026 found that 67% currently cover GLP-1 medications for weight management, while nearly eight in 10 reported that the drugs are a major contributor to rising health care costs ^[1][2][3]. Business Group on Health, a non-profit that represents large employers, conducted the survey in February and March 2026 ^[1][3].

Of the employers that cover GLP-1s for weight management, 72% said they were likely to continue that coverage in 2027, and 10% said they likely would not, according to the survey ^[1][2]. Employers that do not cover the drugs for weight management today are unlikely to add coverage in the future, the group said ^[1][3].

Many employers place conditions on coverage. The survey found that workplaces validate clinical eligibility using objective biometric data, require participation in a weight management program, limit prescribing to specific providers and exclude certain medications from their formularies ^[1]. Most employers, 83%, use the same standard cost-sharing arrangement they use for other medications rather than a special benefit design or no out-of-pocket costs ^[1][2]. Nearly eight in 10 employers involve their executive leadership in GLP-1 coverage decisions ^[1][2].

Looking at oral versions of the drugs, 87% of employers said the availability of an oral GLP-1 medication would result in higher demand for the drugs overall, and only 9% anticipated a decrease in price ^[1][3]. Oral options named in coverage of the survey include an oral form of Wegovy, which is semaglutide, and Foundayo, which is orforglipron ^[3].

More than half of the employers that cover GLP-1s for weight management said they expect significant clinical benefits, but few have yet seen evidence in their aggregated claims, such as a reduction in obesity rates or fewer employees needing bariatric surgery, the survey found ^[1][2].

"Our findings show the tremendous concern employers have regarding these medications from a cost and financial viability perspective," said Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health. "Against the backdrop of anticipated double-digit health care cost increases, fueled to a large degree by GLP-1s and overall prescription drug costs, companies cannot ignore the reality that GLP-1s have significant implications for health care budgets – and overall affordability" ^[1][3].

GLP-1s are sold under brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. They were originally developed to help regulate blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes and also lead to substantial weight loss in people with obesity ^[1]. List prices reach around $1,000 per month ^[2]. About 1 in 8 adults say they are currently taking a GLP-1 for weight loss or to manage a chronic condition, according to a KFF survey conducted last year ^[2].

Why it matters for patients

Most people with employer-sponsored insurance get their GLP-1 coverage rules from their employer, so these survey numbers describe the conditions that shape access rather than a single national policy. A 67% coverage rate for weight management means roughly a third of the surveyed large employers do not cover the drugs for that purpose ^[1].

For patients whose plan does cover the drugs, the requirements attached to that coverage are part of the practical experience. Eligibility may depend on biometric data, enrollment in a weight management program or seeing a specific provider, and some medications may be left off a formulary ^[1]. Standard cost sharing means GLP-1s are generally handled like other prescription drugs on the plan rather than under a separate benefit design ^[1].

Coverage is not locked in. The 10% of covering employers that said they likely would not continue into 2027 represents a possible loss of weight-management coverage for some workers, and the survey found little interest among non-covering employers in adding it ^[1][3]. Employers' expectation that oral GLP-1s will raise demand without lowering prices suggests budget pressure on plans will continue even as more pill forms reach the market ^[1][3].

The survey does not identify which employers might drop coverage or how many employees would be affected, and it does not say whether any 2027 changes have been finalized. Those details have not been reported ^[1][2][3].

What happens next

Employer coverage decisions for the 2027 plan year are typically settled in the months before open enrollment. The survey reported that 72% of covering employers were likely to continue weight-management coverage in 2027 and 10% were likely not; it did not report what the remaining employers expected ^[1][2]. Business Group on Health members collectively provide health and well-being programs for more than 60 million individuals in 200 countries ^[1].