More US employers to drop weight-loss drugs in 2027, as healthcare costs increase

About 14% of U.S. employers have already or plan to drop GLP‑1 drug coverage in 2027; employer coverage fell from 72% in 2025 to 60% in 2026.
Employers expect healthcare costs to rise 9.2% in 2027 (up from 8.5% in 2026); pharmacy spending is a big driver—25% of total and projected to grow 12%.
GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are driving utilization and are expensive (Wegovy ~$1,349/month, Zepbound ~$499/month), prompting firms to consider biosimilars, narrower coverage and alternative pharmacy arrangements.