GLP-1s are an increasingly popular and effective tool to help people lose weight. As employers evaluate whether—or how—to cover these medications for their employees, it’s important to consider how a weight management program coupled with health coaching can lead to better medication adherence, healthier habits and long-term success. In this blog, we discuss how WebMD Health Services’ Health Coaches are helping to support participants using GLP-1s in their weight loss journey.
Use of GLP-1 drugs is skyrocketing.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, have become household names. According to a study by FAIR Health, the percentage of patients who had an overweight or obesity diagnosis and were prescribed a GLP-1 drug increased by 587% from 2019 to 2024.
A 2024 KFF poll found that approximately 12% of adults in the U.S. have taken a GLP-1 drug—with about 4 in 10 reporting they took the drug primarily to lose weight. And, data from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans shows the drugs now account for over 10% of annual health care claims.
GLP-1 medications are reshaping the health care cost landscape for employers and health plans.
According to Segal, these drugs were a substantial driver behind the projected 8% rise in health plan costs for 2025. Coverage is expanding rapidly: The Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF found that nearly one in five (19%) large employers with 200 or more workers now cover GLP-1s for weight loss, with that number jumping to 43% among organizations with 5,000 or more employees. At approximately $1,000 per patient per month, these medications are significantly contributing to rising employer health care costs in 20261—costs that many employers say will be unsustainable as future user numbers grow.
Lifestyle changes can enhance and sustain GLP-1 weight loss success.
Needless to say, it’s in employers’ best interests to give employees the tools to succeed while taking the medication. They also need the right resources to continue managing their weight if they decide to discontinue use, as research shows patients who stop taking GLP-1 drugs can regain two-thirds of lost weight in a year.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Vogel, instructor at Harvard Medical School and founder and CEO of digital health company Concorde Health, “Most patients starting GLP-1 therapies for weight management haven’t started the foundational work necessary for long-term success—including behavioral modification, nutritional know-how, and mindset shifts.”2
The good news is research shows that combining GLP-1 usage with intensive lifestyle interventions that encourage “incremental changes to diet, sleep, physical activity and emotional health” can led to sustained weight loss.3
- A study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA, found participants in a program that included lifestyle interventions had an average weight loss over 12 months of 15.6% of body weight and a mean BMI of 31.3 kg/m2—this increased to almost 17% weight loss for the patients who continued with the program after 24 months.4
- Data from CVS, which offers a nutrition and lifestyle support program for GLP-1 participants, shows that before enrolling in the program nearly 30% of members had lost less than 1% of body weight on anti-obesity medication. These same members lost on average 11.7% of body weight after enrollment in the program—a 13 times increase in total weight loss. They also report that members who chose to discontinue anti-obesity medication and retain lifestyle support maintained 94% of their weight loss after 6 months.5
So, there is a huge incentive for employers to couple weight loss drugs with a lifestyle management program that engages participants, fosters behavior change and helps people sustain weight loss for the long term.
WebMD’s corporate health coaching services support weight loss with GLP-1s.
Positively Me® is our tailored health coaching program for weight management—for participants on anti-obesity medications and those who aren’t. Through a combination of education, behavioral change strategies, nutritional support, exercise programs, psychological and social support, WebMD Health Services coaches assist individuals throughout their weight management journey.
The 12-month program of 1:1 mentoring emphasizes consistency and accountability. It addresses all facets of the whole person and of well-being: cognitive restructuring, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress resilience, environment and more.
Our Health Coaches spend time up front assessing participants’ motivation and confidence to lose weight and get to know each individual before the program begins. They help participants articulate their “why” in order to experience the benefits of intrinsic motivation. For some this could be the ability to participate in family activities, age better or simply feel more confident.
Regular check-ins provide the accountability people need to stay the course and teach the healthy habits that will sustain them in their weight loss. During these check-ins we discuss nutrition and current eating behaviors, and help the participant learn to reduce portion sizes while still consuming enough protein as the drug begins to reduce appetite.
We also focus on the specific physical activity recommendations that are important for GLP-1 users: muscle strengthening activities to help with fat loss while building muscle (which can support long-term weight maintenance). And we offer support for the side effects of these drugs, which can include gastrointestinal complications.
Importantly, our Health Coaches don’t neglect the emotional and mental health implications of taking this drug for weight loss. There are a host of concerns that could arise from GLP-1 use, including disordered eating, anxiety, mood swings, depression, changes in relationships, and re-learning how to navigate social situations that involve eating.
GLP-1 medications are a powerful tool in the fight against obesity, but they’re not a magic bullet.
As mentioned previously, the long-term effectiveness of GLP-1 medications hinges on the lifestyle changes that accompany them. As employers grapple with the substantial costs of these drugs, the question isn’t just whether to cover GLP-1s, but how to maximize their value through comprehensive support. By pairing these medications with evidence-based coaching programs like WebMD’s Positively Me®, employers can help ensure that weight loss is sustainable, that participants develop the skills and habits they need for lifelong health, and that their healthcare investment delivers lasting returns.
Want to learn more about how we can support your population with effective weight management? Speak with a member of our team today.
