High demand for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is impacting employer health care costs—but it can be critical for retaining talent

(Credit: Iuliia Burmistrova—Getty Images)

The weight loss drug revolution is helping fuel rising health care costs among employers, who are expanding their benefits to keep up with the kind of medical care that their employees want.  

Coverage for obesity drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy among large companies (with 500 or more employees) rose to 44% this year, up from 41% last year, according to a new study from HR consulting company Mercer released this week. And around 64% of companies with 20,000 workers or more now cover it, compared to 56% in 2023.