Diabetics, Obese Gain Way to Pay for Egregiously Expensive GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications


 

Diabetics, Obese Gain Way to Pay for Egregiously Expensive GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications


With the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic and other esteemed medical research institutions validating the significant efficacy of GLP-1 medications for inducing weight loss among type 2 diabetics and clinically obese persons who are appropriately prescribed such medications by their doctor, the high costs of GLP-1 treatment options—coupled with severely limited or non-coverage by insurance providers—is tempering the excitement that surrounds this wellness advancement.

The new class of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) medications, including Trulicity, Ozempic, Mounjara and Wegovy, are proven to spur weight loss amid type 2 diabetes, obesity or other doctor-diagnosed conditions of concern … and are understandably generating new hope for those suffering with such serious medical conditions. This as a scientifically-verified way to shed pounds, but without some of the concerning side effects associated with prior pharma weight loss options. Medical Weight Loss authority Dr. Katrina Mattingly explains how GLP-1 medications help patients lose weight in an online video.

On the extreme downside, the monetary costs of GLP-1 interventions—exacerbated by the fact insurers are limiting or entirely denying coverage of the medication class—are rendering the solution entirely unreachable for many with dire health needs.

Relative to efficacy, in its Health Essentials blog, the Cleveland Clinic underscores that the newer, longer-acting once-weekly GLP-1 medications appear to be more effective in treating obesity and lowering blood glucose. An American Pharmacists report goes further to spotlight both the value and the fiscal conundrum, having stated, “In addition to being effective diabetes medications, GLP-1 drugs have demonstrated superior weight loss results for obesity.” The report juxtaposes the scientific validation of the medication with the cost concerns, also citing, “One major barrier to patients accessing GLP-1 receptor agonists medications is cost. The subcutaneous, weekly injections list for around $1,200 per month for one dose. Higher doses will cost more, and insurance coverage can also be limited…rarely will an insurer cover a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss purposes.”

To help those in need financially subsidize and offset costs associated with their diet efforts—whether that related GLP-1 medications or other prescriptions, supplements, groceries, gym memberships, exercise gear or any other, wellness gamification pioneer HealthyWage is available as a means to not only help cover these costs, but also create a profitable money making opportunity for health seekers. As the world’s leading purveyor of money-driven diet contests and challenges for individuals, teams and corporate wellness groups who can earn rewards no matter which diet or fitness regime is being utilized, HealthyWage has paid out more than $55 million in cash rewards to participants, with over 3.9 million collective pounds lost since its inception in 2009.

Exemplifying the power and efficacy of HealthyWage’s behavioral economics-based “money motivation” approach are throngs of its general success stories—both women and men like these who won over $10,000 in a single HealthyWager challenge in 2023:
  • Vivian H. from Bushnell, FL won $11,040 for losing 70 pounds
  • Jenn G. from Ontario, Canada won $11,000 for losing 50 pounds
  • Nicholas A. from Oregon City, OR won $11,000 or losing 60 pounds
  • Lauren C. from Ackerman, MS won $11,000 for losing 46 pounds
  • Daniel N. from Frisco, TX won $11,000 for losing 64 pounds
  • David V. from Perris, CA won $10,986 for losing 61 pounds
  • Sarah U. from Joliet, IL won $10,040 for losing 57 pounds
HealthyWage’s 100-plus club is also decidedly impressive, with many having not only lost this transformative amount of weight, but also winning thousands of dollars for their pound shedding success. To date, over 500 health seekers have lost over 100 pounds thanks to HealthyWage’s unique model. This includes Preston P. who won $3,007 for losing 160 pounds; Lashawn B. who won $4,259 for losing 120 pounds; and Samantha M. who won $3,385 for losing 100 pounds- —significant cash winnings that can notably offset medication and other interventional costs.

“Our fun and motivating weight loss contests and challenges are an ideal supplement for individuals taking, or looking to start, a GLP-1 medication as the cash payouts can greatly assist as a financial investment and those medications are, in fact, authorized for use on our platform,” notes HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry. “And, not only can winners cover hard costs, but also greatly profit far beyond the expenses they need to cover as many often win over $10,000 through our HealthyWager contests—just as one of many examples.”

“In addition to monetary incentive serving as a powerful weight loss motivator, participants also have access to HealthyWage’s mobile app where they can gain tips, guidance, guidelines and both expert and peer-based community support to help facilitate weight loss in the near term … and also foster healthy habits and weight maintenance for long-term success,” Roddenberry continues.

Understanding the need for powerfully effective solutions to get America’s collective weight-driven wellness trending in the right direction, category pioneer HealthyWage continues to tackle the U.S. obesity epidemic head on by using the psychological benefits of game mechanics to motivate weight loss—and thoughtfully vetting and allowing participants to benefit from emerging weight loss solutions like GLP-1 medications. This as the company is helping more people than ever lose weight and get healthy through its platform founded on study-driven behavioral science and economics principles validated by throngs of esteemed medical research institutions.

A Harvard School of Public Health report underscores an ominous trajectory if obesity is not aptly addressed by the end of this decade, revealing that, “if U.S. trends continue unabated, by 2030, estimates predict that roughly half of all men and women will be obese.” Other dire study-driven forecasts through 2030 estimate a staggering “33% increase in obesity prevalence and a 130% increase in severe obesity prevalence over the next 2 decades,” also noting that this reality would further hinder healthcare containment cost efforts.

Roddenberry concludes, “Our diet gamification paradigm is being made that much more powerful when undertaken alongside other appropriately prescribed or utilized methods to promote weight loss. With obesity and type 2 diabetes rampant across the U.S., untold millions of Americans are needlessly putting themselves at higher risk of—or exacerbating—serious medical conditions. We’re endeavoring to reverse those trends in a fun, meaningful and proven effective way that provides emotional, physical and fiscal rewards.”

Sources:

https://pharmacist.com/Publications/Pharmacy-Today/Article/glp-1-receptor-agonists-breaking-down-the-hype-and-demand

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/weight-loss-drugs/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-trends/obesity-rates-worldwide/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22608371/

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