GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina's state health plan no longer covers new prescriptions for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
The medication is often used for weight loss, but the North Carolina State Treasurer, Dale Folwell, said the drugs are too expensive.
"If we had continued on the path that we were going, the individual premiums for everyone on the state health plan had the potential of doubling," said Folwell. "We have frozen those for 7 years and the family premiums had the potential of going up."
Folwell said the coverage will only be dropped for state employees who use the medication for weight loss. Those with diabetes will still be covered.
Folwell said these drugs have soared in popularity, and cost and they require long-term use.
Roughly 22,000 people use these medications for weight loss under the state health care plan.
"When we are hit with the potential of nearly 170 million dollars worth of bills for one drug, that's why the board took the action that it did," said Folwell.
Within one year, it would cost the state 170 million dollars to keep insuring the medicine.
Here's what you can do if your insurance no longer covers this.
Cone Health suggests that people go to their provider to discuss all possible options.
With insurance companies making adjustments because of the high-priced medicine, you may not be able to stay on the medications but may qualify for another medication in a different category.
Cone Health also suggests going to the specific medication's website for possible discounts or a savings card.
If you are determined to stay on the medication, be prepared to pay out-of-pocket costs.
Doctors at Cone Health said they typically taper the medication gradually over time to prevent an appetite surge for those looking to get off the medication.
This plan goes into effect on April 1st, 2024