With the use of weight loss medications on the rise, Beebe Healthcare registered dietitian Kim Hyatt, who specializes in obesity medicine, addresses potential health concerns and prescription requirements, along with insurance coverage.
She explains that popular weight loss medications seen in mainstream media, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, were initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes. When weight loss side effects were discovered, the medications became highly sought after.
Once the drugs became useful for weight management, Hyatt notes, the dosages were reduced from the initial amount used to treat diabetes and patients no longer experienced the same side effects.
Getting a prescription approved by insurance brings its own challenges. A patient’s BMI, potential comorbidities, and prior weight loss attempts are all factors.
“You will actually have to tell your provider, ‘Okay, what diets have you tried? Are you currently physically active? Or what plans have you done? Did they work for you? Did they not?'" Hyatt said.
Those on the fence about trying weight loss medications should start with insurance, Hyatt adds. If the medication is not covered, the cost can run more than $1,000 per month.
“Let’s point out that Delaware is one of the most obese states, Sussex County being the most obese county in the state," Hyatt said. "We also have a correlation between obesity and socio-economic status."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Delaware is the 9th most obese state with a rate of almost 38%.
