If appetite changes aren't obvious by week 2, it typically reflects individual variation rather than treatment failuresome people experience subtle appetite reduction that becomes obvious only by week 4
But one researcher, John Cawley, a professor of economics and public policy at Cornell University, and his colleagues found that while obesity basically doubles a persons annual health care costs, the savings associated with public insurance plans covering GLP-1s for just obesity treatment are dependent on the patients body mass index, or BMI
Pro tip: Track your protein for one week using an app like MyFitnessPal
This isn't a fairy tale ending where everything is perfect now
Additional Cost Management Strategies Organizations exploring GLP-1 coverage are also considering targeted cost-control measures, including: Setting clinical qualification standards based on BMI and related conditions Establishing duration or lifetime coverage limits where allowed Adjusting copays or deductibles for obesity-related medications Favoring lower-utilization or lower-cost therapeutic alternatives within the formulary Evaluating alternative treatments such as bariatric surgery, which may produce durable outcomes at comparable costs to a year of medication therapy These strategies allow employers to maintain access while aligning coverage with financial objectives