Ozempic Isn't Just for Weight Loss—Here's How It Could Boost Your Wallet

EXPLORE FURTHER: The Unspoken Realities of Ozempic

Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have assisted numerous Americans in shedding significant amounts of weight.

Furthermore, recent studies indicate that these findings might also result in an increase in their financial savings.

The effects of obesity on health are widely recognized, associated with a 25 to 60 percent elevated chance of experiencing a heart attack, a 30 to 53 percent heightened risk of developing diabetes, and a 64 percent greater likelihood of having a stroke.

Nevertheless, it similarly bears a massive economic toll , resulting in approximately $1.4 trillion yearly economic losses due to healthcare expenses, diminished productivity, employee absences, early fatalities, and disabilities.

Studies have demonstrated that shedding pounds also benefits individuals financially, beyond just the nation’s savings. According to research conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University, when a 20-year-old transitions from obesity to merely overweight, they can benefit economically. save on average $17,655 in future healthcare expenses.

Approximately 15 million Americans have utilized Ozempic or a comparable drug. lose weight Since this category of medications entered the market around five years ago.

However, millions who stand to gain from it from the costly drugs initially designed to treat diabetes aren't receiving coverage for them. Insurance generally covers these medications solely when they are considered medically essential – such as in cases where a patient is diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.

However, scientists from the University of Southern Queensland California It has been reported that broadening access for all overweight Americans presents a sound economic argument, suggesting it could yield up to $10 trillion annually for the nation by boosting productivity and extending working life spans, cutting down healthcare expenses, enhancing overall quality of life, and prolonging lifespans.

Dr Alison Sexton Ward, an economist and health policy specialist from USC’s Schaeffer Institute, stated: "Although the expenses associated with weight-loss drugs have made news, our study highlights the significance of evaluating the long-term benefits of such treatments."

'Increasing accessibility will avoid or postpone health issues linked with obesity, leading to better quality and longer lives for numerous Americans.'

USC researchers found It goes beyond just diabetic and overweight individuals benefiting—and consequently enhancing economic conditions—if accessibility were increased.

Younger and more physically fit individuals—those with a reduced risk of diabetes or a moderate body mass index (BMI) ranging from 30 to 39—who met the criteria and began taking the medication between the ages of 25 and 35 experienced the most significant advantages, adding approximately 1.8 extra years to their lifespan on average.

The research team likewise determined the potential financial impact of providing weight-loss medications such as Ozempic for individuals within specific age brackets who have varying levels of risk associated with diabetes and obesity.

For instance, an estimation indicates that providing a weight loss medication to a 25-to 34-year-old individual dealing with obesity could result in approximately $208,000 annually due to enhanced productivity, decreased healthcare expenses, better overall health, and extended life expectancy.

For individuals aged between 35 and 44 who have a significant likelihood of developing diabetes, administering a medication for weight loss could yield an annual benefit valued at $115,000.

Dr. Dana Goldman, who co-authored the report and serves as the founding director of the USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service, stated, "Broadening accessibility to weight-loss medications is likely the most impactful strategy to enhance the well-being of Americans."

Many people use medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro for weight loss, but these drugs can cost over $1,200 each month when not covered by insurance.

Approximately 40 to 60 percent of reimbursement claims for one such medication tend to get rejected; however, an increasing number of employers have started incorporating coverage for these medications into their employees' insurance policies.

As the federal government mulls over an expansion of Medicare and Medicaid coverage, the UCS analysis has come into play. The proposed change would extend access to anti-obesity medications for senior citizens under Medicare and low-income individuals through Medicaid.

This would probably prompt private insurers to do the same.

The researchers from the Schaeffer Center utilized the Future Adult Model to forecast the extended effects on health and economics of obesity treatments for individuals aged 25 and older who do not have diabetes.

The study took into consideration age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes risk, with the assumption of constant medication costs up until generics become available in 2032, when they will likely be priced around half as much.

Experts determined the 'societal worth' of broadening medication accessibility, encompassing calculations related to additional healthy life years an individual could have, preventing long-term illnesses, as well as enhancing their capacity for employment and societal contribution.

They discovered that putting money into stopping obesity and diabetes at younger ages yielded much better returns compared to trying to treat someone who has become ill later in life.

For example, a fit 25-year-old individual dealing with obesity but having only a low to moderate chance of developing diabetes will gain additional healthy years throughout their life when treated with Ozempic or a comparable drug. This advantage arises because they start receiving treatment sooner than a 35-year-old facing identical health challenges.

Intervening early stops serious and costly health problems from developing later on, saving expenses for both the individual at age 25 and the community overall.

It is believed that around 38 million people in America suffer from diabetes, a condition that incurs approximately $412.9 billion in treatment expenses. These costs include direct outlays for medical appointments, hospital stays, and insulin, along with indirect expenditures like lost working hours, reduced productivity at work, and early mortality.

Aside from managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, these medications have also demonstrated an ability to reduce the likelihood of progressing heart failure and cardiovascular diseases. These conditions incur approximately $252 billion annually in the United States.

Cardiovascular diseases stand as the foremost reason for fatalities worldwide, impacting approximately 48 percent of adult Americans. This statistic is anticipated to increase in the future, with present forecasts indicating such an upward trend. 61 percent of Americans will possess it by 2050.

Dr Darius Lakdawalla, the chief scientific officer at the Schaeffer Center, stated: "Insurance providers frequently restrict access to weight-loss drugs for only severely affected individuals like those with prediabetes or diabetes. However, our study indicates they might be overlooking an opportunity to avoid severe and expensive health issues by initiating treatments earlier."