While all state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes, it’s much less common for them to cover the drugs for obesity. Currently, just 13 state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1s for obesity. Most of the states that don’t cite the drugs’ high cost.

The survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia found that just 12 Medicaid programs covered the drugs to treat obesity as of July 2024 with some limits on use. Half of the states without coverage said they are considering adding them or evaluating their coverage,

A new study from a pharmacy benefit manager is casting doubt on the benefits of GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, finding they are associated with a high cost of care with little benefit beyond dropping pounds.