Weight Management
The Ohio State University Health Plan is here to support your journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Our Weight Management resources are designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mindful habits to enhance your overall health, well-being, and quality of life.
What you need to know
Starting January 1, 2026, GLP-1 medications will only be covered by The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plan when they are prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; GLP-1 coverage for any other uses will be discontinued. These medications and their generic equivalents include, but are not limited to, Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Zepbound (trizepatide).
Click below for more information on the remainder of 2025 and the 2026 plan years.
2026 GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medication Coverage
Starting January 1, 2026, GLP-1 medications will only be covered by The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plan when they are prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; GLP-1 coverage for any other uses will be discontinued. These medications and their generic equivalents include, but are not limited to, Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Zepbound (trizepatide).
The decision to eliminate coverage for these drugs comes after careful consideration to balance exceptionally high costs of weight loss medications with our commitment to providing access to affordable benefits for all eligible employees for years to come.
The costs of weight loss drugs have grown exponentially in the past few years and are projected to rise further, given the expected increase in plan members using these medications.
After a thorough analysis, it was determined that continuing to cover medications for weight loss is not sustainable for all enrolled members who are required to share in the total plan cost. Maintaining coverage would have required significantly raising costs for all employees. The change in GLP-1 coverage enables the university to minimize employee contribution increases and preserve other medical benefit coverage in 2026. For example, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums won’t increase in 2026.
Plan coverage for GLP-1 medications will continue when prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the Plan’s medical criteria has been met. Other medications currently approved for weight loss, such as Phentermine, Qsymia, and Contrave, will continue to be covered.
For those without type 2 diabetes
If you are currently using a GLP-1 medication for any indication other than type 2 diabetes, speak with your health care provider to explore alternative options and determine the best path forward for your health. The price of different types and forms of medications for weight management varies depending on pharmacy, location and available discount programs. There are also alternative paths to paying for these medications without insurance coverage, including:
- Manufacturer Savings Programs: Pharmaceutical companies offer discounts for certain medications through self-pay savings programs. This could significantly reduce the cost you would otherwise pay to stay on the medication.
- Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): If you are enrolled in a health care flexible spending account, you can set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for your medication costs up to allowable maximums.
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Earn HRA credits through participation in Ohio State’s Your Plan for Health (YP4H) Incentive Program and use those pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for out-of-pocket costs.
If you have questions about this benefit change, contact HR Connection. Please know they cannot make or request coverage changes or override the decision, and neither can any other individual or department. This decision is final, and there are no exceptions or appeals available.
If you have questions about your medical care, contact your primary care provider.
Resources
Ohio State offers a variety of programs and benefits that may provide extra support for your health goals. Ohio State Weight Management Programs and Providers are available if you’d like to explore them.
Comprehensive Weight Management
Comprehensive Weight Management (CWM) offers the broadest spectrum of obesity care and weight management solutions at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) including bariatric surgery, endoscopic bariatric procedures, and non-surgical, medical weight management with lifestyle programming and medication prescribing to support weight loss.
Patients referred to CWM will partner with an obesity medicine specialist well versed in all available weight management options to design a customized plan tailored to their goals with a focus on long term sustainability and optimization of related health conditions. Each patient’s journey following this initial visit will differ; however, patients should anticipate at least quarterly engagement through follow up visits with a medical provider as well as availability for eight group nutrition visits. All follow-up visits can be conducted via telemedicine.
If needed, patients will be connected for specialized care to address mental health and sleep concerns and can be referred to any OSUWMC lifestyle support programs as detailed below.
Center for Women’s Health
The Center for Women’s Health (CWH) offers a nonsurgical weight management program designed to provide comprehensive care to help women achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Our team includes obesity medicine providers, a dietitian for personalized nutrition plans, and a sports medicine specialist for tailored exercise plans. Monthly appointments cover screening for and management of weight related conditions as well as focus on nutritional guidance, physical activity recommendations, behavioral counseling, and, if needed, pharmacotherapy. Referrals to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center specialists or lifestyle support programs are available as needed.
Educational Programs
A variety of educational videos are available to guide your weight management goals. Search by topic on the Classes and Events page for videos related to healthy eating, active living, weight management, and more.
Exercise is Medicine
12-week physical activity program blending individual and group support offered through Wexner Medical Center that provides an individualized exercise prescription, one-on-one sessions with a fitness specialist, 16 exercise-based group sessions over 8 weeks, and full access to a fitness facility while in the program. Physician referral required.
Healthy Living
A versatile, individualized 12 to 24-week program based on your needs that includes goal setting and wellness action plan created with your health coach and accountability and support through check-ins with provider of your choice (dietitian, exercise physiologist, health coach.)
Living Well
12-week or 24-week comprehensive weight management program blending individual and group support for goal setting, accountability, behavior change, nutrition and physical activity guidance.
OSU Health Plan Personal Health Coaching
Personal Health Coaching is confidential and voluntary and designed to assist individuals in achieving personal wellness. An OSU health coach is available to help develop an action plan related to weight management and to support transitioning from GLP-1 medications in maintaining progress through practical lifestyle strategies.
Your Plan for Health (YP4H)
The Ohio State University Health Plan offers additional weight management resources through Your Plan for Health (YP4H). Explore YP4H for weight management resources at no cost, shared cost and OSU research studies related to Weight Management.
Resources to Get Started on Your Own
Additional content and resources includes printable materials to track caloric intake, create a customized schedule to jump start your healthy routine and a SMART Goal outline to begin the intentional process of thinking about and writing out goals you wish to achieve.
- Daily Fuel Log. This will help you track your daily caloric intake to allow you to understand your calorie consumption and make the necessary adjustments to help you reach your goals.
- Time Finder. Fill in your daily schedule to see where you have an extra block of time. This will help you create a customized schedule to jump start your healthy routine.
- Creating a SMART Goal. This outline will help you create and set meaningful goals. The act of writing out your goals will assist you in setting clear intentions and give you a road map to help guide you toward success.
- Meditation Apps. Check out the most recent list of apps available to download.
Additional supporting handouts from accredited sources outlining multiple areas of wellness.
BMI Weight Management Overview
In this self-guided weight management BMI overview, you will learn what a healthy body mass index is and how to calculate your own. General nutrition guidelines and optimal portion sizes are outlined to assist you in reaching and maintaining your ideal healthy weight. Next, you will be introduced to the recommended exercise guidelines and learn about the benefits of engaging in routine cardio, strength and flexibility training. Finally, you will learn about hydration, sleep and mindfulness and be able to create your own SMART goals to support your journey to achieving your own healthy lifestyle.
Get in touch today
To learn more about our health coaching team visit the Personal Health Coaching page or to schedule a Health Coaching consultation click here.
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