Continuing education

Obesity is a widespread condition in the population, and obese individuals are at increased medical risk. And with the high prevalence of obesity, GLP-1 agonists — relatively new medications that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss — are under the spotlight. 

A survey of 500 employers in October 2023 showed that 81% reported that their employees would be interested in GLP-1 medications.* GLP-1 agonist medications are expensive. And as obesity is not usually related to a workers’ compensation injury, many employers do not consider them compensable under a workers’ compensation claim. But should they? 

For injured individuals, obesity can lengthen or jeopardize recovery. Could an individual’s weight loss help other aspects of the claim that are compensable? For example, could it allow an injured worker to have surgery that was not possible at their previous weight? Could it support their physical therapy so they could return to work quicker? 

Unlike group health, which usually focuses on medication efficacy in the long term, workers’ comp pharmacy care traditionally focuses on the patient’s health through a shorter recovery timeframe.  If the overall goals are to shorten the term of the claim and return an individual to work sooner, in some cases, weight loss medications could significantly benefit both, and more than offset additional pharmacy spend. 

This session will highlight the positive impact these medications could have on patient health and injury recovery, but at same time, how these high-cost medications can impact claims management. Attendees will take away key factors to consider when choosing whether to approve weight loss medications for injured workers.

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