Maintaining a healthy weight has become a priority for many Americans, and for good reason. Weight-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and musculoskeletal disorders continue to drive healthcare costs and impact quality of life. At the same time, the emergence of GLP-1 medications has transformed the conversation around obesity treatment, creating new opportunities—and new challenges—for health plans, employers, and labor funds.
Today, nearly one in eight U.S. adults has used a GLP-1 medication, highlighting the growing demand for effective weight management solutions. However, many plan sponsors are struggling to balance access to these potentially life-changing medications with the significant costs associated with coverage.
Weight Loss Success Requires More Than Medication
While GLP-1 medications can be highly effective, long-term success depends on sustainable lifestyle changes. Research and Teladoc Health program data consistently demonstrate that members who engage in coaching, nutrition support, and behavior modification achieve better outcomes and maintain results longer.
In fact, members using GLP-1 medications within Teladoc Health’s programs are significantly more engaged than other participants:
- 40% greater monthly weigh-ins
- 32% more step tracking activity
- 59% more frequent food logging
This reinforces a simple truth: medications work best when paired with comprehensive support and healthy behavior change.
A Comprehensive Approach to Weight Care
Teladoc Health’s Comprehensive Weight Care program supports members across the entire weight management journey—whether they are using GLP-1 medications or pursuing weight loss through lifestyle modification alone.
The program combines:
- Obesity-trained healthcare providers
- Expert health coaches
- Registered dietitians
- Integrated behavioral health support
- Personalized education and content
- Cellular-connected devices for real-time monitoring and feedback
This multidisciplinary approach ensures members receive the right level of care at the right time while building habits that support long-term success.
Proven Outcomes
Teladoc Health has demonstrated strong engagement and outcomes across its weight management programs:
- 90% retention rates in our Prediabetes and Weight Management programs
- 6% average weight loss sustained at two years among members not using GLP-1 medications
- More than 15% average weight loss by month eight for eligible members using Zepbound® alongside comprehensive clinical support
These results demonstrate that meaningful, clinically significant weight loss is achievable through both lifestyle modification and evidence-based medical treatment.
Supporting Members With or Without GLP-1 Coverage
Every organization approach to GLP-1 coverage varies. Teladoc Health provides flexible options that support members regardless of benefit design.
For organizations that cover GLP-1 medications, our program provides clinical oversight, medication management, coaching, and ongoing support to maximize outcomes and appropriate utilization.
For organizations that do not cover GLP-1s, members can still access obesity-trained providers and may obtain prescriptions through self-pay pharmacy programs, including options available through LillyDirect® and NovoCare®. These pathways can help eligible members access medication at discounted cash rates while receiving the clinical oversight and lifestyle support necessary for long-term success.
Better Health. Better Engagement. Better Outcomes.
GLP-1 medications are changing the weight management landscape, but they are only one component of effective obesity care. Sustainable results come from combining evidence-based medical treatment with behavior change, nutrition guidance, coaching, and ongoing clinical support.
Teladoc Health’s comprehensive approach helps members improve their health, maintain engagement, and achieve lasting weight loss—while providing employers, health plans, and labor funds with valuable data and insights to guide future benefit decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is lifestyle support important for members taking GLP-1 medications?
Long-term weight management success depends on sustainable lifestyle changes alongside medication. Coaching, nutrition support, and behavior modification help members build healthy habits and maintain results.
2. What is included in Teladoc Health’s Comprehensive Weight Care program?
The program combines obesity-trained healthcare providers, expert health coaches, registered dietitians, integrated behavioral health support, personalized education and content, and cellular-connected devices for monitoring and feedback.
3. Can members participate in Teladoc Health’s weight management program without using GLP-1 medications?
Yes. Comprehensive Weight Care supports members who use GLP-1 medications as well as those pursuing weight loss through lifestyle modification alone.
4. What weight loss outcomes does Teladoc Health report?
The blog reports 90% retention rates in its Prediabetes and Weight Management programs, an average of 6% weight loss sustained at two years among members not using GLP-1 medications, and more than 15% average weight loss by month eight for eligible members using Zepbound® alongside comprehensive clinical support.
5. What support is available to members whose health plans do not cover GLP-1 medications?
Members may still access obesity-trained providers and may obtain prescriptions through self-pay pharmacy programs, including options available through LillyDirect® and NovoCare®. These options can provide eligible members with access to medication at discounted cash rates, alongside clinical oversight and lifestyle support.
6. How does Teladoc Health support organizations managing GLP-1 coverage?
Teladoc Health offers options for organizations with different benefit designs. For organizations covering GLP-1 medications, the program includes clinical oversight, medication management, coaching, and ongoing support. The program also offers support for members whose organizations do not cover these medications.
Join Our July Labor Webinar: The Changing Landscape of GLP-1s: Implications for Weight Management and Benefit Strategy
Date: July 30
Time: 2:00 PM EST
Duration: 45 Minutes
Topics include:
- The State of Weight Management Today
- Beyond Medication: What Drives Long-Term Success
- Teladoc Health’s Comprehensive Weight Care Solution
- Program Outcomes and Results
Labor Fund Administrators, Trustees, and Union Leadership interested in receiving an invitation can contact Pat Leonard pleonard@teladochealth.com for additional information.
We look forward to sharing how Teladoc Health is helping members achieve healthier lives through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to weight management.
