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Weight Loss Drugs Changed Their Lives. Then They Lost Coverage.

^{Published on 2024-12-19 16:23:27 - MSN}
 

• The letter came in June. Mindy McCormick, 67, read that her insurer would soon stop covering the weight loss drug Wegovy, which she had been taking for more than two years. What? she remembers thinking.

The article from MSN discusses the challenges faced by individuals who have successfully lost weight using prescription medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, only to lose insurance coverage for these drugs. These medications, which help manage obesity by reducing appetite and aiding weight loss, are often covered initially by insurance when patients meet certain BMI criteria. However, many patients find that after a period, their insurance either stops covering the drugs or imposes strict conditions for continued coverage, such as proving ongoing weight loss or meeting specific health benchmarks. This abrupt discontinuation can lead to weight regain, emotional distress, and financial strain as the out-of-pocket costs for these medications can be prohibitively high. The article highlights personal stories of individuals who faced these issues, illustrating the broader problem of how insurance policies can undermine long-term weight management and health improvement efforts. It also touches on the debate over whether obesity should be treated as a chronic condition requiring long-term medication, similar to treatments for diabetes or hypertension.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/weightloss/weight-loss-drugs-changed-their-lives-then-they-lost-coverage/ar-AA1w9zc7 ]

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