Pricing out customers from accessing weight-loss treatments could widen existing health inequalities across the country.
This is according to advisers Health & Protection spoke to following analysis from the King’s Fund, released last week, revealing there were 14.3 million obese adults in England in 2024 – 7.2 million more than if rates had stayed the same as 1993.
The health think tank warned not to over-rely on weight-loss treatments to tackle the obesity crisis.
But it also called on policymakers to ensure that the people who benefit from these drugs most are not priced out of accessing them, so the UK does not end up with even wider health inequalities.
Benefits are clear
Kristian Breeze, director of healthcare at Ascend Broking Group, told Health & Protection that the conversation around GLP-1 treatments has “matured quickly”.
“A year ago, clients were asking whether they worked,” Breeze said. “Today, they’re asking who can access them, how long they’ll need to stay on them, and who should ultimately pay.
“The benefits are clear. For many people living with obesity, these treatments can be genuinely life-changing and may help reduce the risk of developing more serious conditions later.”
Not a standalone solution
Though Breeze conceded that there is also a danger in viewing these treatments as a standalone solution.
“Obesity is a complex issue and lasting outcomes are more likely when medication is supported by behavioural, nutritional and lifestyle interventions,” he continued.
“The biggest concern raised by clients is affordability. Demand is growing, but access remains uneven. Without careful consideration from policymakers, providers and insurers, there is a risk that those who could benefit most are priced out, widening rather than narrowing health inequalities.”
Holistic support
For providers, the opportunity is not simply to fund treatment, but to build services around it, Breeze added.
“The most effective offerings will combine access to medication with clinical oversight and wider wellbeing support,” he continued.
“Advisers also have an important role to play. Clients increasingly want balanced information rather than headlines. That means being clear about both the potential benefits and the limitations, including side effects, long-term commitment and cost. GLP-1s are an important addition to the toolkit, but they should be seen as part of the answer rather than the answer itself.”
Social stigma
Alan Lakey, director at CIExper and Highclere Financial Services, noted that while the topic of weight-loss treatment has not come up with his clients, he suspects some are embarrassed to broach the subject.
More proactive approach needed
Rhys Schofield, protection adviser for Peak Mortgages and Protection, told Health & Protection he would like to see more of a proactive approach from providers when it comes to accessing weight-loss treatments.
“While I understand they don’t want to open the floodgates when it comes to claims, if it saves them money in treating obesity-related illnesses in the long run that’s just good business sense as well as better looking after their clients health,” Schofield said.
“Currently, provider attitude is just to say no. I had a case recently where the client was having a hip replacement on the insurer’s dime.
“Given their limited mobility, the consultant suggested the client get on a course of GLP1’s to assist in weight loss in the months before their operation to reduce the risk of complications/speed up their recovery and the insurer just flatly declined it saying it’s something they would never entertain.
“Given the insurer is on the hook for the complications and physio if things were to go wrong it did seem a rather short-sighted stance.”
Diet and exercise
Though Schofield maintained diet and exercise should be the first port of call given their wider health benefits.
“So it’s good to see a lot of PMI providers now offering gym discounts etc and not just Vitality – although from a general being proactive point health and wellbeing point of view Vitality still lead the way by actually incentivising people to be active and look after their health,” he continued.
“It might sound inconsequential at board level but there have been many times over the years where that extra gym trip to earn my points for my cinema tickets or apple watch got me off my butt and into the gym.”