GLP-1s Are a Miracle Drug… But What if Your Members Can’t Afford the Miracle?

In the world of chronic disease and weight management, few breakthroughs have generated as much excitement—or delivered as much promise—as GLP1-s. Developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, drugs like Zepbound, Wegovy, and Ozempic are now making headlines for their profound impact on weight loss, cardiovascular health, and even quality of life.

For many, these miracle medications are nothing short of life changing. They’re helping people sleep better, lower their blood pressure, reduce their risk of stroke, and shed weight in ways that had previously felt impossible.

And yet—despite all that promise—the miracle of GLP-1s remains largely inaccessible to those who need them most.

GLP-1s Can Cost Over $1,000/month

If your health plan doesn’t cover GLP-1s for weight loss (only 18% of plans do), a branded GLP-1 in an auto-injector pen can cost members over $1,000 per month. That a $15,000 per year investment.

For most Americans, that’s simply not possible.

So, what happens next? They search. They scroll. They ask around. They click on questionable websites. They get overwhelmed. And far too often—they give up.

As someone who works in pharmacy savings and prescription drug transparency, even I wasn’t fully prepared for the complexity of the GLP-1 marketplace until the issue became personal.

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Shopping for GLP-1s May Be the Hardest Part of Losing Weight

A family member of mine, who had struggled with weight for the past several years, was recently advised by their doctor to explore one of these medications. Their BMI had reached the “not good” range, and it was clear that traditional approaches weren’t working. They were ready to make a change, but the sticker shock was real.

Since helping people find affordable medications is literally my job, I jumped in to help. There were so many decisions, trade-offs and logistical roadblocks along the way:

• Types of GLP-1s: Brand-name vs. compounded

• Needles: Auto-injectors vs. syringes and vials

• Support options: None, general telehealth, behavioral health—often at additional cost

• Pricing models: Pay-per-dose vs. monthly subscriptions

• Trust factor: Some companies seem solid, others? Not so much.

Every option raised new questions.

Now, you might be wondering:

"Why didn’t I just use the Scripta app or ask one of our PharmDs for advice?"

Great question.

I wanted to experience what your members are really going through—without the benefit of Scripta—so I could better understand their journey. No wonder people are overwhelmed!

Even once we identified what appeared to be the safest and most cost-effective path for my family member, we were still tripped up by the system’s inefficiencies.

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The “Easy” Option… Isn’t So Easy

Ultimately, we chose to buy directly from a major manufacturer who offered Zepbound in vials for less than half the price of a Zepbound auto-injector at a traditional pharmacy. In fact, about $700 per month less!

Seems like a no-brainer, right? Well… not so fast.

Here’s how things got complicated:

Epic, the medical records system, hadn’t added all the dosages to their e-prescribing tool yet, so the doctor couldn’t submit the prescription electronically. (Four months later this is still the case).

So, that meant the doctor had to manually print out a form and fax it to the manufacturer.

(Yes, fax it. Because, apparently, the American healthcare system is keeping the fax machine industry alive).

What followed was months of delays, resubmissions, phone calls, chat threads, and confusion. Each monthly refill felt like starting over. And this was with an industry insider guiding the process.

If I was getting lost and frustrated, then the average member? They didn’t stand a chance.

We had to make it easier.

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A Better Way: Introducing Scripta’s GLP-1 Guide

So, we built the ultimate GLP-1 Guide inside the Scripta app to help members cut through the noise—a one-stop resource that provides trusted, reliable information and enables your members to:

🔍 Compare their prescription options

💡 Understand the trade-offs of different buying methods

💰 Find the best price for their medication across trusted sources

🧠 Avoid scams and risky suppliers

📲 Get help from real clinicians, not chatbots

Think of it like Hotels.com for GLP-1s. That’s right, just like booking a hotel or comparing flights, your members can actually shop for prescription drugs!

The goal isn’t just to save money—though we do that. The goal is to remove the unnecessary barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need because navigating the system is just too hard.

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Plan Sponsors Play a Critical Role in Driving Access

If you’re a self-insured plan sponsor, here’s the truth: your members are already trying to figure this out. Some are succeeding. Most aren’t.

• They’re overwhelmed

• They’re overspending

• They’re walking away from treatment that could change their lives

You have the power to help them. You can offer them the guidance, support, and tools they need to get affordable access to life-changing medications. No one should have to choose between their health and their wallet.

If your members are exploring GLP-1s, don’t let them go it alone. Let us help guide them—with clarity, trust, and real savings. Whether your health plan covers GLP-1s for weight loss—or doesn’t—we can help.

(Okay, I may have snuck in a Scripta commercial here at the end—but only because I really believe in what we do! 😄)

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Ready to help your members access GLP-1s with confidence?

👉 Contact us today to learn more about how Scripta supports self-insured plan sponsors and their members.👉 Already a partner? Make sure your members know about the GLP-1 Guide inside the Scripta app!