Hormonal
Long-term use of FDA-approved antiobesity medications (AOMs) for at least 112 days is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total health care costs and non-AOM medication costs by the second year of treatment compared to no treatment.
If you have obesity and are considering FDA-approved weight loss medications, discuss long-term coverage with your insurer. While the medication itself costs money, studies show that maintaining use for at least 112 days (approx. 4 months) can lead to significant reductions in other medical bills (like prescriptions for diabetes or blood pressure) by the second year, potentially saving money overall compared to not treating the obesity.
Use of AOMs is associated with the odds of moving to a lower obesity class and a general stabilization or reduction in health care costs in year 2 of follow-up.
Why this rating
Large retrospective cohort study (n=219,971) with robust statistical adjustments (propensity scoring, difference-in-differences), though observational design limits causal inference compared to RCTs.
Source
Economic outcomes of antiobesity medication use among adults in the United States: A retrospective cohort study
Stephanie Watkins et al. · Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy · 2022
DOI 10.18553/jmcp.2022.22116
Related findings · Hormonal
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