GLP-1 Shots: How Much Weight Can You Lose, And Will It Stay Off?
A new era of weight loss is here — and drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy are at the center of it. But long-term success depends on more than just the shot. Plus, a common frustration for many Americans WITH insurance is repeated denials for claims that should be covered.
Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, a critical care physician and BuzzRx Medical Advisor, spoke with Mo News to share both personal experience and clinical insights on semaglutide (or GLP-1) drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, and how to navigate coverage.
GETTING THE MOST OUT A GLP-1
Rutland says he now recommends semaglutide drugs as a first resort as opposed to a last resort for a number of patients. That’s because his patients typically lose around 15% of their body weight over the course of a year, and some lose even more. He’s seen weight loss reverse diabetes, eliminate sleep apnea, reduce joint pain, and help with other ailments.
But, when it comes to keeping the weight off, Rutland emphasizes that long-term success with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs depends on lifestyle changes.
"The people that are the most successful, who keep the weight off, are the people who completely change their lifestyle," Rutland notes, stressing that lasting results depend on building new habits, not just taking the medication.
THE $$ OF IT
Unfortunately, affordability is a big challenge. Rutland notes insurance denials often come down to how clinical notes are written or patients not fully understanding their insurance plans. His advice? Go back to your doctor and ask them to rewrite or resubmit the request with better documentation if you were denied.
Some of the newer GLP-1 medications can cost over $1,000+ per month without insurance.
Even with coverage, many insurance plans place them in higher-cost tiers or require prior authorization.
This is where BuzzRx can help by offering discounts; in fact, customers have saved over $4.5 million on semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) alone from January 2023 to the present. They save an average of $170 per month on the medication!
BuzzRx, a prescription drug discount card and app service, saves users hundreds of dollars each month and has partnered with Mo News for a series focused on America's health and the prescription drug industry.
Mo News Special: BuzzRx is offering the Mo News community up to $5 off your first prescription fill at BuzzRx.com/MoNews
🎧 Listen to the full conversation on the Mo News The Interview podcast, wherever you get your podcasts, for more on health insurance costs, the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and the impact of the Affordable Care Act over the last decade.
