​22% of U.S. Employers Cover Prescription Drugs for Weight Loss

Brookfield, Wis.—A healthy reset has been a standard theme entering the new year, but it shouldn't be the only time of year workplace wellness gets prioritized. What an individual's weight says about their health status is an evolving discussion. So too is how employers support their workforce.

According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 22% of United States employers cover prescription drugs for weight loss and almost half (45%) cover bariatric surgery (Employee Benefits Survey: 2022 Results). In addition, 32% of organizations offer weight management programs.

"Obesity is a complicated and often misunderstood disease, with treatments rapidly evolving," said Julie Stich, CEBS, Vice President of Content at the International Foundation. "More organizations understand that obesity is a disease that can cause heightened risk of other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers. Providing coverage for advanced therapies and weight management programs can help reduce health care costs and vastly improve workers' well-being."

In the U.S., 25% of employers report that obesity has the largest impact on overall health care costs (the International Foundation's Workplace Wellness and Financial Education Programs: 2022 Results).

For more information and access to the full survey report, visit www.ifebp.org/ebs2022.

###

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is the premier educational organization dedicated to providing the diverse employee benefits community with objective, solution-oriented education, research and information to ensure the health and financial security of plan beneficiaries worldwide. The Foundation has more than 31,000 multiemployer, corporate and public sector members representing over 25 million lives. For additional information, visit www.ifebp.org.