Idaho’s health plan for state employees, retirees and their dependents is dropping coverage for GLP-1s prescribed for weight loss, effective Nov. 1.
The change does not impact GLP-1 coverage for diabetes, the state said Sept. 5. The new policy is expected to reduce premiums by $30 million to $50 million annually.
“The high cost and increasing utilization of these medications has not demonstrated an offsetting cost reduction in related health conditions,” the state wrote. “Their cost has become unsustainable and if nothing is done to mitigate the cost of these drugs, the added expense will likely result in higher cost-sharing and plan design changes that will impact all employees and employers.”
Several states have dropped GLP-1 coverage for weight loss for public employees recently over high costs, including Louisiana, Ohio and North Carolina. Less than half of the states provide coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss to public employees.
