The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services proposed pulling back on Medicaid’s coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss, according to a budget document acquired by the Rhode Island Current.
In April, the Trump administration said it will remove these drugs from Medicare plans. However, states have some discretion on whether Medicaid will cover GLP-1s.
List prices for the drugs can soar, reaching up to $16,000 annually as of March 2025.
“There is opportunity to realize some savings by ending coverage under Medicaid for GLP-1 weight loss drugs for weight loss purposes (not for diabetes and other medical conditions outside of obesity),” the proposal said. “Savings would be realized through decreased capitation to managed care organizations as coverage is removed.”
Adherence and long-term outcomes are major concerns with using GLP-1s for weight loss. The document cited a 2021 study that found treatment adherence over a year ranged from 36% to 47%.
“This leads to high expenditures on individuals who may not continue treatment for as long as necessary,” the proposal added.
