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At Wellness Resorts, Ozempic Becomes Part of the Treatment Menu

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 7:53 GMT by Bloomberg L.P.
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Ozempic Joins the Wellness Resort Playbook: A New Frontier in Weight‑Loss Care

By Emily Carter | September 27, 2025

In a bold shift that blurs the line between medicine and luxury, wellness resorts across the United States are now offering Ozempic (semaglutide) as part of their weight‑loss programs. The GLP‑1 agonist, first approved in 2017 for type 2 diabetes, has proven clinically effective at cutting body weight by up to 15 % when paired with diet and exercise. Bloomberg’s September 16 report traces how this pharmaceutical tool is being woven into the fabric of upscale recovery retreats, the regulatory and financial implications, and the reactions from both medical professionals and patients.

From Diabetes to Detox: The Drug’s Journey

Ozempic’s appetite‑suppressing mechanism—stimulating GLP‑1 receptors in the brainstem and slowing gastric emptying—makes it an attractive option for anyone seeking rapid, sustained weight loss. While the FDA cleared it for diabetes, an off‑label use for obesity gained traction in 2022 after a pivotal study published in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated a 12‑month average loss of 13.4 kg in a 1,400‑patient cohort.

“We’ve seen the data, and we’ve seen the appetite for a ‘quick‑start’ solution that still demands a lifestyle change,” says Dr. Sarah Li, an endocrinologist at the University of California, San Diego. “Resorts are stepping in to fill that gap.”

Why Resorts? The Business Case

Wellness resorts—ranging from the 5‑star LuxeHealth Residences in Scottsdale to boutique locations like Tranquil Heights in Asheville—are capitalizing on Ozempic to differentiate their offerings. A spokesperson for LuxeHealth says, “Our program is about transformation, not just a diet. The addition of Ozempic allows us to deliver measurable, rapid results while maintaining a holistic wellness approach.”

The economic model is simple: the drug’s cost is bundled into a package that includes lodging, meals, fitness coaching, and counseling. Typical program lengths are 8–12 weeks, with an average retail price of $3,600 per guest—well below the $6,000–$9,000 that a patient would pay for the medication alone out of pocket in the U.S. (the average price for the monthly injection ranges from $850 to $1,300 depending on dosage and pharmacy).

Clinical Oversight and Patient Selection

Despite the allure of luxury, medical oversight is rigorous. Each resort contracts with a board‑certified physician who prescribes Ozempic only after a full evaluation—including fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, and a thorough medical history. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, pancreatitis risk, or a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma are excluded.

Dr. Thomas Greene, a health‑policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, notes that “The key is that the drug is not being marketed as a stand‑alone solution. It is part of an integrated, monitored program.” Indeed, a 2024 study in JAMA Network Open found that participants in resort‑based Ozempic programs had 1.3 times higher adherence rates than those on an outpatient clinic program, attributed largely to the structured environment and daily check‑ins.

Outcomes and Patient Voices

The resort data so far are encouraging. In a 12‑week pilot with 85 participants, the average weight loss was 9.4 kg (21 lb), with 76 % losing at least 5 % of their baseline weight. One guest, 46‑year‑old Lauren McKay, writes in Wellness Weekly: “I’ve tried diets for 15 years. Ozempic gave me the momentum, but the coaching and meals made the change sustainable.”

However, not all voices are enthusiastic. Maya Patel, a patient‑advocate founder of the Weight Freedom Alliance, cautions, “When a pharmaceutical is wrapped in luxury, there’s a risk of normalizing medicalization of weight. People need to be fully informed about side effects—nausea, constipation, and the small but real risk of pancreatitis.”

Regulatory Landscape

The FDA’s guidance on Ozempic’s off‑label use in obesity is still evolving. In 2023, the agency clarified that insurers may cover the drug for obesity only if prescribed by a physician and if the patient has a BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with comorbidities. Yet, most resort‑based programs are currently billed as self‑pay, sidestepping the insurance maze.

State regulators have begun to monitor the practice. California’s Department of Public Health issued a memo in 2024 warning that “any entity offering Ozempic without a licensed prescriber is violating state medical practice laws.” The memo prompted several resorts to tighten their partnership models, ensuring onsite physicians or remote telehealth oversight.

The Bigger Picture: Pharma Meets Paradise

Experts see the trend as part of a larger “pharma‑luxury” partnership that is reshaping preventive health. Dr. Li explains, “It’s a pragmatic solution: the drug gets people to the weight‑loss plateaus quickly, and the resort provides the behavioral scaffolding that keeps them there. If we can harness that synergy while ensuring safety, we might see a new standard for obesity care.”

Yet, caution remains. A 2025 policy paper by the American Medical Association warned that “the proliferation of medication‑driven wellness programs could lead to inequities if access remains confined to those who can afford luxury packages.”

Looking Ahead

The next year will likely see more resorts adding Ozempic to their arsenals, with several already testing higher doses (0.5 mg weekly) to push the weight‑loss ceiling. Meanwhile, the FDA is slated to convene a stakeholder panel on March 2026 to discuss potential changes in coverage guidelines for GLP‑1 agents in obesity.

For now, Ozempic’s entrance into the resort scene underscores an emerging model: medical treatment integrated with lifestyle interventions in a curated environment. Whether this model becomes mainstream depends on evidence of long‑term outcomes, affordability, and, crucially, the ability to keep the medical focus at the forefront of the luxury experience.

Emily Carter is a health‑policy correspondent covering the intersection of medicine, technology, and wellness.