Long-term GLP-1 use trims medical cost growth: Aon – Becker’s Payer Issues

Sustained GLP-1 use slows medical value progress, in response to findings printed Jan. 13 from skilled providers agency Aon.

The agency analyzed 192,000 GLP-1 customers from July 2022 to March 2025, evaluating outcomes to non-users, via industrial medical and pharmacy claims information. This analysis builds off 2025 analyses.

“These outcomes present employers a a lot clearer view of how GLP‑1 therapies can change the trajectory of each well being dangers and longer-term prices of their workforce,” Aon North America Well being Options Chief Farheen Dam mentioned in a information launch. “The actual impression comes when employers contemplate not simply protection, but additionally how these drugs are used, supported and sustained over time. By pairing considerate GLP-1 methods with packages that encourage adherence and whole well-being, organizations can enhance outcomes for his or her workforce.”

Listed below are six notes from the analysis:

1. In comparison with the management group, medical value progress for customers of GLP-1s for diabetes was down 6 proportion factors from 12 to 30 months and 9 factors for folks with no less than 80% adherence.

2. Medical value progress for GLP-1 customers for weight reduction was down 3 proportion factors from 12 to 18 months and seven factors for folks with no less than 80% adherence.

3. Feminine customers noticed some added well being advantages: A 47% drop in hospitalizations for main cardiovascular occasions, a roughly 50% drop in ovarian most cancers incidence, a 14% drop in breast most cancers incidence and a 16% drop in osteoporosis incidence.

4. Feminine GLP-1 customers additionally had decrease danger of hospitalization for alcohol or drug abuse, bariatric surgical procedure and a few pancreatic problems. Nevertheless, females had greater charges of gallbladder surgical procedure hospitalization in comparison with male GLP-1 customers.

5. Total prices for GLP-1 customers are nonetheless greater than their non-user counterparts, even when progress is slowed, however that stems largely from short-term drug bills.

6. “Employers ought to contemplate that drug costs are more likely to compress with expanded direct-to-consumer packages in addition to the introduction of newly authorised oral formulations, and may weigh medical advantages and workforce wants amongst different elements,” the analysis mentioned. “There isn’t any single method to plan protection for all employers however leveraging information and intently monitoring the rising proof and market panorama may help employers navigate complicated protection selections.”