Cigna announced that, in an effort to increase insurance coverage for those very well-liked treatments, it will cap the annual amount that employers and health insurers spend on prescription medications for weight loss.
The decision was made at a time when many insurers are debating whether to continue to cover the expensive medications or remove them entirely from their plans.
Even though the treatments and related diabetic medications have high list prices—roughly $1,000 per month or up to $15,000 annually—Americans have flocked to them.
The insurance behemoth Cigna’s initiative may increase accessibility to weight-loss therapies. Treatments for diabetes are usually covered by insurance.