Illinois expands weight loss drug coverage to state employees

Illinois is expanding coverage of weight-loss drugs to state employees, a move Gov. JB Pritzker's office estimates could cost up to $210 million annually, WBEZ reported April 30.

Starting July 1, the nine health plans available to the state's employees and their dependents will have to cover GLP-1s such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic. 

The new policy stipulates that the state health program "shall provide coverage for all types of injectable medicines prescribed on-label or off-label to improve glucose or weight loss for use by adults diagnosed or previously diagnosed with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity." 

A spokesperson for the state department that administers the employee health insurance program told WBEZ that enrollees are eligible for GLP-1 coverage if “deemed medically appropriate by the physician" and if they participate in a lifestyle management program.

The new policy does not apply to Medicaid enrollees or state retirees with a Medicare Advantage plan.

State health plans have grappled with how to cover the expensive weight loss medications, which can cost upward of $10,000 annually. In January, North Carolina's employee health plan ended coverage for GLP-1s, citing high costs.

Centene, the largest managed Medicaid organization, told investors in April that few state Medicaid programs are adding GLP-1 coverage for weight loss.

Subscribe to the following topics: meta keywords: illinoisweight-loss drugsstate employeesgov jb pritzkercoverage

Copyright © 2025 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.


You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, please review our Privacy Policy.
 

Articles We Think You'll Like

Thank you so much for your interest in our content. Please register to access this complimentary archived content. By registering, you will receive our newsletter which can be opted out of at any time.

 

Already Registered? Click here to confirm.