Employer survey: 25% of employers currently
offer coverage and most experience positive outcomes; 4 in 10
consider it an immediate concern and intend to offer in 2024; while
21% of HR decision-makers are unaware of GLP-1
medications.1
SEATTLE, Oct. 9, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Accolade (Nasdaq: ACCD) announced today findings
from an employer survey on sentiment and adoption of GLP-1
medications. A key finding: while 81% of human resource (HR)
decision-makers feel that their employees would be interested, only
25% cover GLP-1s today.
GLP-1 medications, originally designed for diabetes management,
have skyrocketed in popularity over the past year as an effective
drug for weight loss and obesity. Three-fourths of HR
decision-makers are aware of GLP-1 medications and acknowledge them
as beneficial for controlling blood sugar, boosting weight loss,
improving blood pressure and lowering the risk of heart disease
among others.
"These findings mirror the conversations we're having with
customers," said James Wantuck, MD, Accolade associate chief
medical officer. "This survey provides a helpful pulse on the HR
community's need for a game plan around GLP-1 medications. For the
forty-three percent planning to offer coverage next year, we
recommend a physician-led approach that guides who should be
prescribed GLP-1 medications and how to make them part of a
holistic health management plan."
Survey Key Findings
Trusted information and cost are barriers
The main obstacles to incorporating GLP-1 medications are lack
of trusted information and the perceived high cost associated with
them. Forty-eight percent said lack of information about other uses
of the drug has held them back from covering GLP-1s. They
identified doctors and medical organizations or publications (37%
and 23% respectively) as information sources they would trust the
most.
Thirty-eight percent cited the costs associated with GLP-1s as a
potential barrier to providing coverage. Another recent survey by
Accolade trusted partner Virta confirmed that high-costs of GLP-1s,
driven by an anticipated rise in utilization, are a concern for a
majority (72%) of health plan leaders.
Despite barriers, GLP-1 coverage seen as an attractive and
desired benefit
Most HR decision-makers are open to adding GLP-1 medications to
their benefits package —81% feel their employees are interested.
They also believe GLP-1 coverage would enhance employees' health
and perception of healthcare benefits:
- 79% agree that GLP-1 coverage will help employees' health long
term
- 77% agree that GLP-1 coverage would make employees feel they
get a better health insurance package
What employers already covering GLP-1s have to say
Companies already covering GLP-1s (25%) say they plan to
continue covering them (99%), providing perspective on balancing
financial impact with employee engagement and satisfaction. About
one-third reported a strong financial impact from adding GLP-1s,
but over two-thirds reported an increase in enrollment after the
medications were added. The employers also attributed other related
and desirable outcomes to adding GLP-1s:
- Higher employee satisfaction/wellbeing (75%)
- Increased engagement in other wellbeing programs (58%)
- Improvement in other/comorbid health conditions (57%)
Overall, the survey results indicate that cost is not the only
reason employers are not providing coverage of GLP-1 medications.
HR decision-makers are closely following the surge in demand for
the medications, intently considering their plans, and seeking more
information from trusted sources to help them reach a decision.
Accolade recommends approaching this decision with ample research
from physicians and medical organizations coupled with an
advocacy-led comprehensive care perspective that considers the
total cost and beneficial outcomes of well-managed employee
health.
These results are based on a Savanta survey of 500 HR
decision-makers from U.S.-based medium and large businesses across
a variety of industries in August and September 2023.
1 Savanta. (2023) GLP1-Employer
Healthcare Thought Leadership. Internal Accolade document.
About Accolade
Accolade (Nasdaq: ACCD) is a Personalized Healthcare
company that provides millions of people and their families with
exceptional healthcare experiences so they can live their
healthiest lives. Accolade's employer, health plan and consumer
solutions combine virtual primary care and mental health, expert
medical opinion and best-in-class care navigation. These offerings
are built on a platform that is engineered to care through
predictive engagement of population health needs, proactive care
that improves outcomes and cost savings, and by addressing barriers
to access and continuity of care. Accolade consistently receives
consumer satisfaction ratings of over 90%. For more information,
visit accolade.com. Follow us
on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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SOURCE Accolade