Did Your Plan Just Drop Your GLP-1? What to Do Before Your Refills Run Out

by | Nov 9, 2026 | Food & Nutrition, GLP-1 & Weight

Did your plan just drop your GLP-1? Open enrollment 2027 guide by Dr. Drew Dahlgren

Did your open enrollment packet quietly leave out your GLP-1?

If you take semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) for weight, this is the season to check. Fewer employers are paying for these drugs in 2027, and the time to make a plan is now, not at the pharmacy counter when the refills run out.

Fewer employers are covering GLP-1s for weight loss

A WTW survey found that 53% of employers with more than 100 workers cover these drugs for weight loss this year, down from 57% in 2025. It’s the first drop since the drugs took off. (CNBC has the full story.)

If your coverage ends in January, here’s what to do:

  • Read the fine print. Some plans that drop the drug offer a weight-management program or partial reimbursement instead.
  • Know the self-pay prices. Direct-from-manufacturer pricing currently starts at $149 a month for the lowest-dose Wegovy pill, $199 for the shot, and $299 for Zepbound. Novo says its pricing may change in 2027.
  • Talk to your doctor before your last refill. Whether you switch, self-pay, or taper off, make the plan together.

If you come off the medication: two habits that matter most

Get at least 25 grams of fiber a day

Fiber slows digestion and keeps you full longer, which matters most as your appetite comes back. It also helps with the constipation a lot of people get on these drugs. One cup of cooked beans or lentils has about 13 to 15 grams. Add it gradually over a week or two and drink extra water, or you’ll trade one stomach problem for another.

Put 10 minutes between a hard day and the pantry

Evening stress is when a lot of off-medication eating happens. When you catch yourself heading for the snacks, take a 10-minute walk first, then decide if you’re still hungry. In small studies, a short brisk walk cut cravings for sweets, and the pause alone breaks the autopilot.

Your next step

Pull up your 2027 benefits summary today and search for “GLP-1,” “weight management,” or the drug’s name. If it’s gone, book a visit with your doctor before your current supply runs out.

I write about this every Friday in my newsletter: one piece of news, one food habit, one stress habit, for people on or coming off GLP-1s. Sign up below.

This article is general education, not medical advice. Talk with your own doctor before changing your medication, diet, or exercise.