CNN and Deidre McPhillips on weight management

1/ Weight loss drugs like Ozempic & Wegovy are more popular, but most physicians haven't been trained to use them https://lnkd.in/e5W4CHbe with CBS News' @AMGreenCBS 2/ Patients need to be monitored for side-effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which could be symptoms of serious conditions like pancreatitis or gastroparesis (i.e. stomach paralysis). They should also have regular blood work including blood glucose & kidney function tests. 3/ If a patient's side-effects aren't well managed, they may get discouraged & stop taking the medication, which means that whatever weight they've lost, they're likely to put back on. 4/ If people can't stay on these meds long enough to accrue the long-term health benefits (e.g. reduced risk of cardiovascular disease & stroke, reduced risk of chronic kidney disease), insurance companies may be less likely to cover them.

Dr. Haggerty has published a lot of papers, but this may be one of the most important ones. With her research team, she conceptualized it, implemented it, and published it amazingly quickly. Patients around the country are experiencing unprecedented benefits from GLP1 anti-obesity medications only to have access to those medications stripped from them mid-treatment if insurance plans stop coverage. This is the first qualitative study to assess the impact on these patients. Insurances must do better. They should have strategies to get the right people on the right treatments for obesity and should not take people doing well off of treatment. https://lnkd.in/eq5RV97R

Dr. Garima Sharma , thank you for drawing attention to this important topic. At Digbi Health, we've been witnessing a growing request and need from employers for safe and high-quality access to compounded GLPs We are seeing firsthand the crucial role that quality compounding pharmacies play in employers' GLP strategies.   These pharmacies are closely regulated and have a proven track record of handling complex drugs, including GLPs. They offer a wide range of services, from hormone replacement therapy and pain management to preparations for pediatric and dermatological conditions, allergy medications, bioidentical hormones, and thyroid medications. Each compounded GLP is prescribed and closely monitored by a licensed MD to ensure safety.   Compounding is often the only way to tailor drug dosage and titration, which is vital for individuals experiencing side effects, a situation that affects over 40% of GLP users. With the current shortage of branded GLP drugs, many patients are struggling to find alternatives. Compounding pharmacies have stepped in to provide necessary medications and protect patient health during these challenging times.   When patients lose coverage or change jobs, compounded drugs often become the only affordable option to maintain their health. It's incredibly important to recognize and support these pharmacies' invaluable work in safeguarding patient health and access.

I focus on lifestyle habits, with the aim to, where possible, reduce my risk of Alzheimer's. But is this helpful? And what about new treatments? Sergio Lopez Jimenez, FIA Team have published a must read for all those wanting to understand the potential impacts Alzheimer's has on life and health insurance. #researchinsightswithimpact

People Using GLP-1 is 2X More Than 1st Reports 📈 GLP-1 Is Being Used For More Diseases... 🔽 JPMorgan Chase & Co. initially estimated up to 9% of the population, 30M people will be on #GLP1s by 2030. However, this could be low... ⤵ 💊 Drug companies have been finding it hard to get coverage for #Obesity with #insurance but studies are finding #benefits in other #diseases and there are hundreds of millions of Americans who have these... 👇 🔶 Diabetes - 38M people 🔶 Heart Disease - 121M people 🔶 Obesity - 108M people 🔶 Alzheimers - 7M people 🔶 Sleep Apnea - 39M people 🔶 Addiction - 47M people The popular drug is showing benefits in these areas and studies are underway. In fact, a study showed reduction in heart attacks and strokes by 20% which lead to #Medicare getting in the action 🖤 #Medicare recently approved Novo Nordisk Wegovy for #HeartDisease which equates to another 3.6M people (George Kaiser Family Foundation). A LOOK BEHIND THE NUMBERS #JPMorgan assumptions assumes 35% of diabetics using the drug and around 15M obese patients using GLP-1s by 2030. This does NOT take into account; ◼ Medicare ◼ Other Diseases ◼ Self Pay And many more... I am working on new estimates but I can tell you the actual number is more than 2X the original forecast of 7% and 9%... 📰 Look at Medicare... They are estimating coverage of 3.6M Americans on Medicare with Heart Disease and Overweight but there are 10M with Heart Disease and 13.7M are considered Obese and another 1.9M with Diabetes. _____________________________________________ 📌 Bottom Line, more people will be using GLP1's and related Drugs. The side effect of Lean Body Mass Loss will still apply to all even though people will use for different disease reasons. ❓ You Ready To Handle Members On GLP-1s? #WeGovy #Ozempic #Zeapbound #GLP1 #Diseases #MarketGrowth #VS

Food for thoughts (pun not intended) The GLP-1 class of anti-obesity drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound have not only changed the way people think about weight loss, they are also changing the way investors view online obesity clinics. These are suddenly looking like a much more investable prospect. Dietrich Aumann of Helsana HealthInvest, a Swiss health insurance CVC, believes that the medical breakthroughs have given obesity clinics providing GLP-1 drugs an efficacy boost that now makes them scalable businesses. 🫵 Alfio Villani Cristian Ranallo Matteo Centola, PhD PMP® Maria Bobbi https://lnkd.in/dgra7qRu #openinnovation #obesity Mind the Bridge Giovanni Rezzonico Narmina Barukhova

As the Chief of Care at Digbi Health, I want to highlight the significant impact of insurance policies discontinuing coverage for GLP-1 drugs, the safest and most effective obesity medications available today. A recent qualitative study underscores the emotional and physical toll on patients abruptly deprived of these life-changing treatments, leading to feelings of hopelessness, anger, and perceived stigma. At Digbi Health, we harness advanced data tools to personalize the best treatment route for each individual. Our comprehensive approach integrates genetics, gut microbiome analysis, and personalized nutrition. For many, this tailored plan includes GLP-1 support alongside our Food-as-Medicine program, ensuring the most effective and holistic care. The sudden withdrawal of medication coverage undermines patient progress and highlights the urgent need for policies that recognize obesity as a chronic disease requiring continuous, multifaceted support. Our mission is to provide innovative, personalized care that addresses the root causes of obesity and supports our members’ health journeys. #healthcare #obesity #GLP1 #insurancecoverage #personalisedmedicine Digbi Health

Interesting Q&A with doctors on brand choice among the leading GLP-1s. Key factors: - Insurance coverage - Efficacy and desired weight loss goal - Comorbidities, particularly diabetes - CV outcomes data - Side effects - Loss of fat vs loss of muscle or water weight - Brand awareness - Product availability https://lnkd.in/dvWVYnFN #weightloss #strategy #insights

I found this to be an interesting pitch for covering Wegovy under insurance. There are certainly both pros and cons. Most people probably recognize the first “pro” as being weight loss. However, I’m not sure a many realize that the first “con” is only if you stay on it. As the article states, "We see that once the majority of the weight loss is accrued; you don't go back and start to increase in weight IF YOU STAY ON THE DRUG." It later points out that, “Previous studies have found that stopping the use of GLP-1 agonists results in patients regaining some or all of the weight they had lost while taking the medication. A 2022 study found that participants regained about 2/3s of the weight they lost about one year after they ended treatment.” Another “pro” seems to be that it works on a wide range of people. According to the report "clinically meaningful weight loss" was achieved among all sexes, races, body sizes and participants in different geographic regions.” However, apparently, “The trial also did not account for body composition information, such as fat mass and muscle mass.” Another important “pro” to consider is, “Wegovy reduced the risk of serious heart problems, such as strokes and heart attacks, by 20%.” The “con” that is creating the biggest issue at this point is probably the high cost. “Much of the discussion about Wegovy and similar weight-loss drugs has been less about efficacy than cost. The list price in the United Sates for Wegovy is $1,349 for a month's supply.” When considering the cost, it’s important to realize that based on the referenced price of Wegovy, the cost of taking it would be approx. $16,000/year or approx. $500,000 for 30 years. That’s not factoring in future price changes.

For cardiovascular patients, finding the right combination of medications can take a prolonged period of trial and error. So what happens when the insurance company then compels patients to switch from their stable treatment? Learn more: