What do privately insured adults know about GLP-1 coverage, and how are cost and access influencing decisions? This Fast Fact examines consumer perspectives and experiences tied to one of today’s most talked-about categories of prescription medications.
Taken together, the findings suggest that while interest in and support for GLP-1 medications are high, GLP – 1 Usage affordability remains a significant barrier shaping access and use among privately insured adults. Eighteen percent of consumers said they have used GLP-1 medications, while 57 percent said they have never More information about the EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey can be taken GLP-1 medications and would not consider taking them. About one-third (35 percent) of consumers who April 16, 2026, #554 found online. had taken GLP-1 medications stopped taking the medication. Among them, many consumers reported that cost concerns played a central role in their experience with GLP-1 medications. Four in 10 stopped taking it because of affor The 202 dability, an 5 Con d one sumier n Engag seven rem epor entted in H thaea t tlhey d th Car ise Sur contiv ne ued y wu as se an o beca nlu ise ne isur t wv aey o s not f 2 co ,0 ver 01 A ed by meriins caur ns a ange ces 21 . – Twenty-eight percent reported they stopped taking the medication because they reached their target weight loss. 64 with private health insurance coverage. It was fielded between October and November 2025. The survey Most Support GLP-1 Coverage, but Cost is made possible with funding support from the following organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cigna Healthcare, HealthEquity, Inspira Financial, Johnson & Johnson, Segal, TIAA, and and Coverage Gaps Limit Access Figure 3 WEX. Have you ever used GLP-1 medications? The Employee Benefit Research Institute is a private, nonpartisan, and nonprofit research institute based in The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Yes, for Type 2 Diabetes 6% Washington, D.C., that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues. EBRI does not lobby Survey found that most privately insured adults believed GLP-1 medications should be covered by health and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members and insurance, indicating broad support for coverage of these treatments among consumers. Yes, for Weight Loss 10% sponsors, which include a broad range of public and private organizations. For more information, visit www.ebri.org. However, one-half did not know if they were covered by their plan. Among those who said they were covered, Yes, for Another Medical Condition 2% one-third reported that they were only covered for diabetes, one in 10 reported that they were only covered for Greenwald Research is a leading independent custom research firm and consulting partner to the health and obesity, and four in 10 reported that they were covered for both. No, but I Have Considered Taking Them wealth industries that applies creative quantitative and qualitative 24% methods to help companies stay competitive Figure 1 and navigate industry change. Leveraging deep subject matter expertise and a consultative approach, Greenwald offers comprehensive services to answer strategi G c bus LP-1 ines Cov s qer ues age tions. For more information, go to No, and I Would Not Consider Taking Them 57% www.greenwaldresearch.com Yes No Not Sure Not Sure 4% ### Prefer Not to Say 1% Does your health insurance plan cover GLP-1 medications? 24% 25% 51% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Should health insurance plans cover GLP-1 medications? 66% 16% 18% Figure 4 Why did you stop taking GLP-1 medications? Please 0% select all th 20% at app 40 ly %. 60% 80% 100% Among those who stopped; Top Responses Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Affordability 43% Figure 2 Achieved Target Weight Loss 28% Type of GLP-1 Coverage Not Sure, 16% It Only Covers GLP-1 Negative Side Effects 24% Medications for Type 2 Diabetes, 32% Lifestyle Changes 20% Lack of Insurance Coverage 17% Concerns About Long-Term Use 13% It Covers GLP-1 Medications for Both Conditions, 42% Medication Was Not Effective 7% It Only Covers GLP-1 Medications for Obesity, 9% Unable to Get the Medications/Medication Shortages 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. © 2026, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 901 D St. SW, Suite 802, Washington, DC 20024, 202/659-0670 | ebri.org 2 3