Slimming injections of the brands “Wegovy”, “Ozempic” and “Mounjaro” are sold in the Achat Pharmacy in Mitte.
Image Allianz | Image Allianz |
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.
Good day! A large portion of insured Americans may be eligible for a very popular class of weight loss and diabetes drugs called GLP-1s, such as Novo Nordisks Wegovy and Ozempic.
At least two in five U.S. adults under 65 with private health insurance – or more than 57 million people – could be eligible for GLP-1 based on clinical criteria, according to a new analysis by the health policy research organization KFF. This includes more than 36 million people with a diagnosis of obesity alone.
GLP-1 are approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes or Obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health problem such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Wegovy, Novo Nordisk's weight loss injection, is also the only GLP-1 drug approved to dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and death in obese or overweight adults with cardiovascular disease.
But here's the catch: The number of adults eligible for these drugs can vary depending on the additional requirements of employer-sponsored health insurance. According to KFF, employers weigh the high cost of covering the GLP-1 drugs, which have a list price of about $1,000 per month, against the clinical benefit and demand from their employees.
Employers could set additional conditions for coverage, such as higher BMI requirements, KFF said. For example, if employers set a BMI cutoff of 35 or more, only 14.6 million adults under 65 covered by those health plans would be eligible. The current BMI cutoff for GLP-1 is 30 or more (for patients with obesity) and 27 or more (for those who are overweight), according to approval labels for GLP-1 anti-obesity drugs.
Some plans may also only cover GLP-1 for the treatment of diabetes, but not for the treatment of obesity.
KFF also noted that two years ago, there were only a “relatively modest number of people” enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans who were eligible for a GLP-1. Only 3% of adults with employer coverage had a prescription for one of the drugs in 2022, KFF said. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, has been the most commonly used GLP-1 drug since it hit the U.S. market in 2018.
Still, KFF noted that “some evidence suggests that GLP-1 use has continued to increase over the past two years,” beyond the most recent available insurance claims data. About 6% of all adults, regardless of insurance coverage, report currently taking a GLP-1 drug, according to a KFF survey released in May. About 12% report having taken one of these drugs. sometime.
More people could also be eligible for GLP-1 if it is approved for new uses. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly Both are studying their respective drugs as potential treatments for fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease. The companies could win approvals for some of those conditions in the next year or so.
Feel free to send tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com.
Latest in health technology: Apple announces new health features for sleep apnea and hearing aid
Good day!
Apple held an event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Monday where it announced a number of new products and updates. The company unveiled its iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, and new AirPods, but I found its new health features stole the show.
“We are incredibly proud to introduce a first-of-its-kind hearing aid feature with AirPods Pro 2 this fall, as well as an innovative way to detect signs of sleep apnea with Apple Watch,” wrote Apple CEO Tim Cook in a post on X on Monday. “These life-changing tools will help people build deeper connections and live healthier lives.”
Here's everything you need to know:
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple said its latest watch can warn users about sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that can cause a person's breathing to repeatedly pause and stop throughout the night.
More than a billion people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, but according to Apple, 80% of sufferers are undiagnosed. If left untreated, people with sleep apnea are at higher risk for heart problems, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
To detect this condition, the Series 10 uses an accelerometer to measure breathing disturbances that occur overnight. Users can view their nightly readings in the Health app. Apple analyzes this breathing disturbance data once a month and notifies users if they exhibit “consistent signs” of severe or moderate sleep apnea.
The company also creates a “detailed report” that users can present to their doctor.
Apple said the detection algorithm for the feature was developed using “an extensive dataset of clinical sleep apnea testing” and validated in a clinical trial. The company expects the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulators to approve the technology “very soon.”
The Series 10 launches on September 20, but is already available for pre-order. Pricing starts at $399. Sleep apnea notifications will also be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
AirPods Pro 2
Apple also introduced new features for the AirPods Pro 2 that help users assess and protect their hearing.
The company said hearing loss can be difficult to detect because it often comes on gradually, so it developed a five-minute hearing test that users can take at home. To take the test, users simply put on the AirPods Pro 2 and tap their screen when they hear sounds at different frequencies and volumes.
Apple said the test is clinically validated and designed based on real-world data. Results are stored in the Health app, where users see their personalized hearing profile. Users can take the test regularly and access educational materials about hearing loss, the company added.
Once users complete the hearing test, people with mild to moderate hearing loss can use their AirPods Pro 2 as a clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid. Apple uses the results of the test to determine in real time what sounds a person needs to have amplified, whether that's elements in their environment or different types of speech.
“This helps you hear your surroundings better, helping to keep you safe, and connects you with people nearby, making it even easier to listen and participate in conversations,” said Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple's vice president of health, during the event.
In addition, Desai said users' hearing profiles will be automatically applied to phone calls, music and movies across all Apple devices.
Apple also expects the FDA and other regulators to approve the hearing aids soon. The hearing test and hearing aid features will be available in a free software update this fall. AirPods Pro 2 are available for $249.
Apple said it is also adding a “hearing protection” feature to the AirPods Pro 2 that can minimize users’ exposure to potentially harmful ambient noise.
The ear tips on the headphones help reduce noise passively, and Apple said machine learning on the H2 chip that powers the headphones “reduces louder, intermittent sounds 48,000 times per second.” The hearing protection feature is turned on by default.
It's worth noting that Apple is still waiting for regulatory approval, but I think these features cement the company's position as an innovative player in the healthcare space. We have more health data at our fingertips than ever before, and Apple seems to be well aware of that.
The question remains whether these health features are attractive enough to entice consumers to purchase new watches and headphones.
You can read more about Apple's latest announcements here.
Feel free to send tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.
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