RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Bad news for those on the state health care plan who take popular diabetes and weight loss drugs known generically as GLP-1.
The state health care plan says it can no longer afford to pay for them, unless you have diabetes.
Back in October, it placed a moratorium on paying for the drugs, saying it would no longer accept new prescriptions as of January 1.
However, it did grandfather in the estimated 24,000 plan members who were already taking the drugs.
Among those taking the drugs is an employee of the NC Department of Agriculture who testified before the board saying she needs the drug Wegovy.
“I had tried the other weight loss drugs mentioned in the October 26 meeting, and I’ve had bariatric surgery, meet with a nutritionist, work with trainers and see a specialist for weight loss,” said Maghan Rae. “Yet all of this still has not been enough.”
“This medicine has helped me to live a normal life,” she said.
Last year, the plan said it spent $138 million on those drugs, but now with the plan facing huge losses, it voted to eliminate paying for those drugs whether you are grandfathered in or not.
“As of April 1 we are no longer covering those drugs,” said State Treasurer Dale Folwell. “The staff was directed to continue to negotiate to lower the cost of those drugs to those who protect and serve.”
The cost of those medicines isn’t the only problem the state health care plan faces.
Its board of directors was told the plan is already a quarter million dollars in the hole and looks to have significant operating losses in the next four years.
