Beginning next plan year, UNM's prescription drug plan will no longer cover GLP-1 medications when they are prescribed only for weight management. There will be no change to coverage for GLP-1 medications prescribed for other conditions. Over the past several years, the use and cost of these medications have increased dramatically, and clinical guidance indicates that people usually need to take them long-term to maintain results. Continuing broad coverage for this purpose is significantly increasing the cost of the university's health plan and would require much higher premiums for the entire university community.
After careful review, the University concluded discontinuing GLP-1 coverage when used for solely for weigh management, while continuing coverage when prescribed for other conditions, is the most financially sustainable approach. This decision also aligns with practices across higher education, where surveys show that roughly two-thirds of universities do not provide GLP-1 coverage for weight management.
We recognize that this change will be difficult for members of our community who are currently relying on these medications for weight management. Because of this, UNM is assessing options to provide short-term financial support and transition assistance for affected employees. Impacted employees will be contacted directly with more information. Click here for more information on transition assistance.
We will also continue to monitor developments in this area, including changes in pricing and, availability, and medical guidelines to determine whether coverage should be adjusted in the future.
Our goal is to continue supporting the health and well-being of our employees while maintaining a sustainable health plan for the entire university community.
Beginning with the next plan year, UNM's health plan will no longer cover GLP-1 medications when used for solely for weigh management. However, the plan will continue to cover these medications when prescribed for other conditions.
The use and cost of GLP-1 medications for weight management have increased dramatically in recent years. Clinical guidance also indicates that these medications are often used on a long-term basis to maintain results. Continuing to cover these medications broadly for weight management would significantly increase the cost of the university's health plan, requiring much higher premiums for employees and the university.
After careful review, the university concluded that continuing coverage for diabetes treatment while discontinuing coverage for weight-management use is the most financially sustainable approach for the plan.
No. Many employers, including universities, are reevaluating coverage for GLP-1 medications used for weight management because of their rapidly increasing cost and long-term use. Recent survey data indicates that roughly two-thirds of higher education institutions do not provide coverage for GLP-1 medications for weight management. Many employers are choosing to limit coverage to diabetes treatment to keep their health plans financially sustainable. This approach helps ensure that the university can continue offering a comprehensive health plan while keeping premiums as affordable as possible for employees and the institution.
We recognize that this change will be difficult for members of our community who are currently relying on these medications for weight management. For that reason, UNM will be offering short-term financial assistance through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), administered by WEX Health Inc. Impacted employees will be contacted directly with more information. Click here for details on transition assistance.
Yes. The university remains committed to supporting employee health and well-being. Through our health plan and wellness programs, employees will continue to have access to wellness resources such as nutrition counseling and weight management programs. For more information on available resources, visit https://hr.unm.edu/wellness.
Yes. The university will continue to monitor developments related to GLP-1 medications, including changes in pricing, clinical guidance, and market practices. Coverage policies may be reviewed and amended periodically as conditions evolve.
Like most employer-sponsored health plans, UNM evaluates coverage based on several factors, including clinical effectiveness, long-term treatment patterns, and the overall financial sustainability of the plan.
Health plans cannot cover every treatment for every condition without significantly increasing premiums. For that reason, coverage decisions are periodically reviewed to balance support for employee health with the need to keep the plan affordable for the entire university community.
It's possible. UNM regularly reviews the health plan regularly to make sure it stays both clinically appropriate and financially sustainable. Most of the time, coverage levels remain stable over time, but emerging treatments or rapidly increasing costs can require periodic adjustments.
When changes are necessary, the university aims to provide advance notice and to continue offering alternative resources and support for employees.
No. Decisions about medical treatment should always be made between employees and their healthcare providers. UNM's role is to determine what the health plan can responsibly cover while maintaining affordability for the entire university community.
Employees who are currently using or considering these medications are encouraged to consult with their physicians about appropriate treatment options and available resources.
