Ozempic and GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Insurance Hikes, Pancreatitis Risk

Ozempic and GLP-1 agonists are causing skyrocketing rates of health insurance premiums as serious side effects from the drug have sparked a new UK investigation. GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are used for weight loss and to treat diabetes, but can cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per month for a prescription without insurance. The UK is investigating GLP-1 agonists after receiving 400 reports of severe pancreas reactions in users of the drug and at least 10 known deaths connected to the medication.

The HighWire has reported about serious side effects of GLP-1 agonists, including evidence that the drugs are linked to blindness, stomach paralysis, suicidal ideation, seizures, and even a condition referred to as “life-long diarrhea.”

Approximately 42% of American adults are obese, while about 30% more are overweight. 72% of American adults are overweight or obese, which has driven the discussion of the benefits of GLP-1 agonists as weight loss medication. Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but is often prescribed off-label. Wegovy, however, is a similar product made by Novo Nordisk that is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss. About one out of eight adults has used a GLP-1 agonist.

One study of 1,269 individuals hospitalized with acute pancreatitis found that those who took GLP-1 agonist drugs within the last 30 days were more than twice as likely to develop pancreatitis. There were 6,751 reports of acute pancreatitis found in a 2024 analysis of individuals using GLP-1 medications from 2005 to 2023. The FDA requires these medications to carry a warning regarding the risk of acute pancreatitis; however, there is currently no investigation into this condition in the United States.

Eli Lilly, which manufactures Mounjaro, and Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Wegovy and Ozempic, have both stated that they continue to actively monitor reports for serious safety concerns. Both companies maintain that the risk-benefit profile is “positive” and that safety is a top priority.

As the use of this medication has increased, there has been a substantial increase in the number of overdose reports. For example, The HighWire reported about a 640% increase in the number of Utah GLP-1 overdose reports in 2024. Lottie Moss, a model and podcaster, received the medication from a friend and reportedly doubled the recommended dose.

In December, the Biden administration proposed adding weight loss agonist to Medicare and Medicaid coverage because obesity is widely considered to be a “disease.” The American Medical Association (AMA) classified it as such in 2013. The Trump administration rejected the proposal in April, which was projected to cost $35 billion in extra costs over the next decade.

Before accepting his new role as HHS Secretary in the Trump administration, Robert F. Kennedy estimated that the cost to provide these weight loss drugs to all overweight Americans would be $3 trillion per year. “If we spend about one-fifth of that giving good food, three meals a day, to every man, woman, and child in our country, we could solve the obesity and diabetes epidemic overnight for a tiny fraction of the cost,” Kennedy said on Fox News with Greg Gutfeld. “It’s the biggest company in Europe, but they’re not marketing it in Europe. They make this drug in Denmark, but in Denmark, they do not recommend it for diabetes or for obesity; they recommend dietary and behavioral changes.”

While Medicare and Medicaid do not offer coverage for GLP-1 agonists for weight loss purposes, many employee health insurance plans provide access to these medications. Anoka-Hennepin Area Schools in Minnesota is facing a 22% increase in health insurance costs due to the high expenses of these medications and inflation. This amounts to $500-$700 more per month for a family insurance plan across the district.

Teacher’s union President John Wolhaupter said, “This is the largest increase we’ve had in a long time. GLP-1 drugs — which we currently cover for both diabetes and for other things, including weight loss — we’ve had really high increased usage of those medications.”

Rochester Public Schools District in Minnesota doesn’t cover GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, but the drugs reportedly make up 56% of the district’s prescription costs. Only 2% of the prescription drugs used by school employees are GLP-1 agonists, which showcases the significant costs associated with these medications.

A study published in January concluded that the use of GLP-1 agonists increases the risk of pancreatitis by 146%, along with an increased risk of arthritis, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, kidney stones, and kidney inflammation.

Fitness influencer Jillian Michaels agreed with Kennedy that it is far more advantageous to provide organic meals and gym memberships to overweight and obese individuals. She explained to Fox News Host Sean Hannity that the environment is engineered to addict people to ultra-processed foods and that Kennedy is attempting to clean up the grocery stores that are filled with toxic, addictive ultra-processed foods. “They’re ubiquitous; they’re everywhere,” Michaels said. “The idea here is not to force people to have superhuman willpower but to clean up the environment so they can function normally and not be addicted to these extremely toxic foods.”