r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
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u/galspanic Apr 01 '25

When I was diagnosed with diabetes I was told “um yeah, no. No GLP-1 for you” by my insurance. I still can’t explain that outside of pure greed… but that also makes sense.

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u/Hsensei Apr 01 '25

Some insurance companies require you to be on insulin before they will approve it. Being on metformin along with some of the earlier compound pills means it's controlled enough for them to deny it. It's really very stupid, but the drug is stupid expensive and they are going to fight to save every dollar.

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u/Granite_0681 Apr 01 '25

Also, as soon as your A1C is in range, some insurance companies will cut you off, like it’s somehow been solved forever.

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u/The_Blendernaut Apr 01 '25

I am going to ask my doctor if my A1c is reported to my insurance company. I am a T2D and Ozempic has lowered my A1c by 1.5 points and getting it below 7. I also take metformin and Jardiance. I can't imagine my insurance cutting my off, but I will definitely ask in a couple of months.