There’s something happening in the world of employer-sponsored healthcare that should make all of us pause.
As GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro take off as tools for weight management and metabolic health, employers are asking how to offer these drugs responsibly, by pairing them with lifestyle and nutrition programs that drive long-term success.
And the answer they’re getting back from some pharmaceutical manufacturers?
“If you require a lifestyle program, we may reduce or eliminate your rebates.”
Wait……what?
That’s right. Employers who want to make sure employees are supported with food, movement, and behavior change – the very things that sustain long-term health – may face financial penalties.
Let that sink in.
Why Would Pharma Do This?
The truth is: rebates are a volume-based incentive system. The more medications sold, the higher the payout from manufacturers to payers (like employers and PBMs). If you put in a requirement, like a nutrition or lifestyle program, less people may qualify. That hurts volume, which hurts profits.
So, what do some drug manufacturers do? They pull the rebate.
It’s a power move designed to keep usage high and accountability low. It also undermines the idea that behavior change is an essential part of healthcare and successful weight loss.
Is This Even Legal?
Yes. At least, for now.
Rebate agreements are private, unregulated contracts. But they’re drawing increased scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission and members of Congress who are questioning whether these deals limit innovation and inflate costs.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Employers who try to do the right thing are being penalized. And no one is talking about it…..yet.
This Should Make All of Us Ask:
Are we building health benefit strategies around outcomes or rebates? Should pharma companies get to dictate how we support the health of our workforce? Is medication alone enough? (according to research no)
At Launch My Health, We Believe:
Medication without lifestyle change is not a strategy, it’s a Band-Aid.
We work with employers who want more than a quick fix. Our program, LaunchMed, supports people wanting to lose weight with or without GLP-1’s with:
- Nutrition coaching
- Cooking education
- Behavior-change support
- A roadmap to metabolic health
Because when employees are supported beyond the prescription, they don’t just lose weight, they build resilience in many forms including metabolic resilience.
A Call to Act with Courage
If you’re an employer or a benefits leader reading this, I want to challenge you:
Don’t let rebate threats define your strategy.
Lead with your values. Ask the hard questions. And let’s build a benefits model that supports whole-person health, not just prescription volume.
If this made you think differently, share it. Let’s get more people talking.
#FoodIsMedicine #GLP1 #EmployeeWellbeing #HealthBenefits #Leadership #MetabolicHealth #LaunchMyHealth #Wegovy #Ozempic #CorporateWellness
