# Corporate GLP-1 medication coverage trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/corporate-glp-1-medication-coverage-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-31T07:14:07.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Major U.S. employers are adopting diverging strategies regarding the coverage of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, due to rising costs.

Bank of America has committed over $250 million annually from its roughly $2 billion healthcare budget to provide these drugs and associated health coaching to its 210,000-plus employees. CEO Brian Moynihan stated the program aims to improve short- and long-term health, citing reduced heart-disease risk and productivity gains, noting the investment remains worthwhile even if employees leave before benefiting. This expenditure represents more than 12% of the bank’s total healthcare budget.

In contrast, many large corporations are scaling back. Starbucks announced it will stop covering GLP-1 medications prescribed specifically for weight loss starting in October, though it will continue coverage for other conditions like diabetes. Other companies, including PwC, Cigna, and HCA Healthcare, have also reduced or eliminated support for weight-loss purposes.

Industry data reflects this tightening of benefits. The percentage of large employers offering these medications for obesity dropped from 72% in 2025 to 60% in 2026. A survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that only 36% of U.S. businesses currently cover GLP-1s for weight loss, with 14% of employers planning to reduce or eliminate such coverage by 2027 to maintain financial viability. Previously, GLP-1 drugs accounted for 11.4% of total annual corporate claims, up from 6.9% in 2023.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Bank of America maintains GLP-1 coverage for obesity

Bank of America is bucking a corporate trend by continuing to cover GLP-1 obesity medications, spending $250 million annually despite many other employers cutting such coverage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-america-maintains-glp-1-coverage-for-obesity

### 2026-08-07: Starbucks ends insurance coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs

Starbucks is ending insurance coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss medications for eligible employees to manage rising corporate healthcare costs, following similar moves by other major employers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/starbucks-ends-health-coverage-for-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs

### 2026-08-07: Bank of America spends $250 million on GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs for employees

Bank of America is spending over $250 million annually from its $2 billion health budget to cover GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs for its 210,000 employees, highlighting health benefits as many peers cut such coverage.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-america-spends-250-million-on-glp1-weightloss-drugs-for-employees

---
Cite as: Corporate GLP-1 medication coverage trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/corporate-glp-1-medication-coverage-trends