{"id":381259,"date":"2026-03-12T11:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T11:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/381259\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T11:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T11:57:10","slug":"when-will-shots-like-ozempic-be-covered-by-health-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/381259\/","title":{"rendered":"When will shots like Ozempic be covered by health insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have long helped people eat less \u2014 now, they\u2019re showing promise<\/a> in helping people crave less.<\/p>\n

A new analysis<\/a> of records from over 600,000 diabetic veterans found that GLP-1 use significantly cut the number of overdoses, suicide attempts, drug-related emergency room visits and subsequent hospitalizations.<\/p>\n

\u201cGLP-1 enters the brain and puts [a] lid on the drug noise,\u201d explained Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly<\/a>, a physician, scientist and clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St Louis, who conducted the research.<\/p>\n

Other studies have demonstrated that GLP-1s reduce cravings for alcohol<\/a>, cigarettes<\/a>, opioids<\/a> and even gambling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ozempic and other GLP-1s are known to cut blood sugar and trigger weight loss. They\u2019re also showing promise in reducing addiction. REUTERS<\/p>\n

Still, these weight loss and diabetes drugs face a long, rigorous road to approval for addiction treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. FDA approval is important because it paves the way for broad market access and coverage by health insurance companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cGLP-1s are not currently\u00a0FDA-approved\u00a0for [addiction] treatment, and it\u2019s unlikely insurance companies would cover such treatment unless\u00a0approval\u00a0is granted,\u201d Rob Stransky, president of the telemedicine company NiceRx<\/a>, told The Post.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about how GLP-1s can help people with addiction \u2014 and when insurance companies might start covering them for this purpose.<\/p>\n

How is addiction usually treated?<\/p>\n

Treatment plans typically involve medication combined with behavioral therapy or counseling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a nicotine patch for smoking, there is naloxone (Narcan) and naltrexone<\/a> for alcohol, there is methadone for other substances,\u201d Al-Aly said. \u201cEvery substance, it has its own treatment. Now, with this GLP-1, it seems to be working across the board.\u201d<\/p>\n

How does Ozempic work to curb addiction?<\/p>\n

GLP-1s mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating. This helps to regulate blood sugar, slow stomach emptying and signal fullness to the brain.<\/p>\n

While these drugs are meant to address diabetes or obesity, Al-Aly said it was \u201cserendipity\u201d that they also appear to help with addiction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my own clinic, I\u2019ll tell you, I started getting patients telling me, \u2018Oh, Dr. So-and-so started me on a GLP-1 for diabetes or because I wanted to lose weight, and all of a sudden, I don\u2019t care for smoking anymore,’\u201d Al-Aly said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo hours later, I see another patient who tells me, \u201cOh, Dr. So-and-so started me on this GLP-1 for weight loss, and now I don\u2019t drink anymore.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Studies have shown that GLP-1s can reduce cravings for alcohol, cigarettes, opioids and even gambling. Adobe Stock<\/p>\n

When you get a shot of GLP-1, Al-Aly explained, it enters the bloodstream and binds to receptors in the central nervous system, including key spots within the mesolimbic system. That region acts as the brain\u2019s primary reward system and drives eating for pleasure instead of hunger.<\/p>\n

The GLP-1 dampens the dopamine-driven reward response to eating, decreasing the \u201cfood noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Al-Aly said that \u201cdrug noise\u201d \u2014 persistent and obsessive thoughts about doing drugs \u2014 also eases.<\/p>\n

Is one type of GLP-1 better than another for easing addiction?<\/p>\n

Though they\u2019ve boomed in popularity in the past few years, GLP-1s have been around for decades<\/a> \u2014 and some have become more sought-after than others. Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, tends to be used most often in addiction studies, Al-Aly said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally speaking, they\u2019re all more or less the same with regard to addiction,\u201d Al-Aly said of GLP-1s. \u201cThe chief among them is Ozempic.\u201d<\/p>\n

What would success look like?<\/p>\n

When a Type 2 diabetic takes a GLP-1, a physician will monitor their A1C \u2014 their average blood sugar level over the prior two or three months. An obese adult on a GLP-1 will keep track of the numbers on their scale.<\/p>\n

Al-Aly said that cravings are a bit harder to quantify, but tools that assess the strength, frequency and duration of an urge or desire can help indicate addiction severity.<\/p>\n

One major consideration: Is the goal complete abstinence from the addictive substance?<\/p>\n

\u201cWith GLP-1s, people may not totally abstain,\u201d Al-Aly said, \u201c[but] they lose the urge to overuse and overconsume.\u201d<\/p>\n

When might insurance companies start covering GLP-1s for addiction?<\/p>\n

First, you need FDA approval. For FDA approval, Phase 3 clinical trials are generally necessary to confirm a drug\u2019s safety and efficacy.<\/p>\n

Al-Aly said that drug companies and researchers are still at the evidence-gathering stage for addiction potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are several trials ongoing. Some of them for alcohol use disorder, some of them for gambling,\u201d Al-Aly shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe science seems to be converging in that more and more studies are coming out, more and more studies are saying the same thing,\u201d he added. \u201cThat convergence of evidence and the enormous enthusiasm behind all of this suggests to me that we\u2019re likely to get a more definitive answer sooner than later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even as evidence mounts that GLP-1s can ease addiction, it may take years for the Food and Drug Administration to approve them for this purpose. Adobe Stock<\/p>\n

Al-Aly predicts that FDA approval for addiction treatment \u201cwill be likely\u201d in the next five, no more than 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoverage would likely follow soon after FDA approval, but the timeline and extent will vary by insurer and plan,\u201d he continued. \u201cDepending on the cost of GLP-1 drugs at the time (costs are falling<\/a> and may be much lower then), prior authorization may be required.\u201d<\/p>\n

Al-Aly said that 2032 is a \u201creasonable ballpark\u201d for the start of insurance coverage, but \u201cI hope we get there faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year of delay has a body count,\u201d he said. \u201cStreamlining the [FDA] evaluation and approval of these drugs should be prioritized.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the meantime, he warns against physicians prescribing GLP-1s off label to address addiction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need more studies to help us understand what these drugs are doing and not doing and who would benefit most from them before we endorse [widespread] utilization,\u201d Al-Aly said.<\/p>\n

What are the concerns about GLP-1s for addiction?<\/p>\n

When people go off a GLP-1, they tend to regain pounds<\/a> \u2014 sometimes exceeding their starting weight<\/a>. It\u2019s unclear what happens when an addict goes off a GLP-1.<\/p>\n

Al-Aly compared the lid being placed on drug noise to a pressure cooker ready to blow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worry that \u2026 suddenly letting go of that pressure cooker, [the addiction] comes back in vengeance,\u201d he added. Perhaps that means overdosing on fentanyl or drinking \u201clike a fish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since addiction is a chronic brain disease, Al-Aly suggests that addicts may need to take a \u201ctiny, teeny\u201d long-term GLP-1 maintenance dose that\u2019s less than their initial dose to make sure they don\u2019t relapse.<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be the first medicine used for long-term addiction treatment. Naltrexone \u2014 which blocks opioid receptors in the brain \u2014 can be taken for months or years under medical supervision.<\/p>\n

Another issue with GLP-1s is potential side effects<\/a> like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and more rarely, pancreatitis and kidney problems. Many people abruptly stop the medicine<\/a> because they can\u2019t stand the side effects.<\/p>\n

Would addicts on Ozempic lose weight? <\/p>\n

Drug and alcohol addicts tend to be malnourished \u2014 what happens if they take a GLP-1 known for weight loss?<\/p>\n

Studies show<\/a> that GLP-1s may not produce the same or significant weight loss in people who are not overweight or obese. Research has found<\/a> that 10% to 20% of Type 2 diabetics have a healthy body mass index, yet they qualify for GLP-1s.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really only works to reduce weight in people who are overweight or obese,\u201d Al-Aly said of GLP-1s.<\/p>\n

Besides diabetes and obesity, which other purposes have GLP-1s been approved?<\/p>\n

The FDA OK\u2019d Wegovy<\/a> to lower the risk of cardiovascular episodes like heart attacks and strokes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ozempic has been approved for chronic kidney disease<\/a> and Zepbound for obstructive sleep apnea<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have long helped people eat less \u2014 now, they\u2019re showing promise in helping people…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":381260,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[274],"tags":[140,31234,2675,18,4500,2898,5256,1950,135,19,17,462,96,147,2927,6271,32219,564],"class_list":["post-381259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-medication","tag-addiction","tag-brains","tag-diabetes","tag-eire","tag-exclusive","tag-fda","tag-gambling","tag-glp-1","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-medication","tag-medicine","tag-opioids","tag-ozempic","tag-smoking","tag-war-on-drugs","tag-weight-loss"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116216086213008557","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/381259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=381259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/381259\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/381260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=381259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=381259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=381259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}