--- title: Weight loss drugs and the pre-existing condition of being American - The Hustle description: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro continue to rise in popularity despite lagging insurance coverage. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1098552693-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Pharma_20230914213443.webp --- # Weight loss drugs and the pre-existing condition of being American ![Ben Berkley](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Ben Berkley](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/ben-berkley) Published: September 15, 2023 Updated: October 11, 2023 The US health care system, ladies and gentlemen: ![medications pricing chart](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1098552693-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Pharma_20230914213443.webp?width=595&height=400&name=1098552693-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Pharma_20230914213443.webp) - Interest in drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, used as a weight loss shortcut, [soars](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-diabetes-drug-weight-loss-c0e03c25?mod=article_inline). - The [rich and famous](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-weight-loss-diabetes-drug-11665520937?mod=article_inline) hail the drugs’ efficacy, fueling demand and leading to shortages for patients most in need. - Prices stay high, causing insurers to [balk at covering](https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/employers-cut-off-access-to-weight-loss-drugs-for-workers-cb277a44?mod=article_inline) the drugs. - Left to pay out-of-pocket, average Americans [start accumulating](https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/ozempic-mounjaro-weight-loss-drug-cost-32fc3555?mod=hp_lead_pos10) debt to access the medications. If you think there aren’t already [dozens](https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=ozempic) of sad stories on GoFundMe of people seeking help to pay for these drugs, you must be new here. #### **Why the economics are so wonky** Today, some Americans are paying $10k+/year to access popular weight loss drugs, [per](https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/ozempic-mounjaro-weight-loss-drug-cost-32fc3555?mod=hp_lead_pos10) *The Wall Street Journal*. The *WSJ* found multiple patients picking up second jobs, cutting back on groceries, and accruing credit card debt to afford the meds after their insurance denied coverage. A June report showed only 43% of US plans covering the drugs. Why? - Many health plans, including Medicare, currently view the drugs as lifestyle enhancements rather than medical necessities. - Employers fear the costs of covering them — one study found companies’ insurance spending could increase by 50%+ if half of their Wegovy-eligible employees decided to take it. No matter the reasoning, a dearth of insurance coverage leaves patients to pay full, steep retail prices. The cheapest option we could find for a month’s supply of Ozempic was $870.70; Wegovy bottomed out at $1.3k+. #### **The only answer for now: guilt** Those who can afford out-of-pocket prices will continue to fuel the craze — “The Millionaire Matchmaker” star Patti Stanger told *WSJ*: “[Ozempic] is the Hollywood drug… Everybody I know is on it.” When they feel bad about it, perhaps they’ll head to GoFundMe to help those with limited financial means — and oftentimes more pressing need for the medications — eke by. 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