Connecticut state employees are losing weight with the assistance of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, according to data obtained through a health-tracking app required by the State of Connecticut for employees being treated with weight loss medication.
In July of 2023, the state began to require that employees seeking a GLP-1 prescription for weight loss medication enroll in Flyte, a medical weight loss program that combines medical professional and dietician oversight with an app called Evolve, created by Intellihealth, which connects users to medical professionals, monitors medication, and tracks the user’s weight and diet.
Over the first six months of Flyte program, participants saw an average weight reduction of 10 percent, and an average Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction of 8.8 percent, according to a presentation by the Healthcare Cost Containment Committee. Additionally, participants’ blood pressure decreased between 7 and 9.6 percent.
Although there were 1,248 participants in the Flyte program, and 2,390 unique medication prescriptions, only a small cohort of 182 had been in the program for six months and had enough data available for measurement.
The average weight of those beginning in the program was 229 pounds with a BMI of 37.16, which is considered Class II obesity. In order to be eligible for the program, a state insurance plan member must have a BMI over 30 or, if they have a weight-related condition like diabetes, a BMI of 27.
The most dramatic weight loss occurred when patients were prescribed Ozempic and similar drugs like Wegovy, classified as GLP-1 drugs. According to the results thus far, patients participating in the program with GLP-1 drugs saw more dramatic weight loss, dropping an average of 27 pounds, compared to 9 pounds for non-GLP-1 medication, and a 9.6 percent decrease in blood pressure, compared to a 4.08 percent decrease.
However, those GLP-1 drugs come at a higher cost, one that has been escalating dramatically since 2020, rising from $7.7 million in 2020 to $29.2 million in 2023, roughly 50 percent each year as the drugs gained in popularity.
The Comptroller’s office is projecting more spending on these weight loss drugs in 2024, estimating anywhere from $34 million to $40 million, upwards of 10 percent of the overall $390 million Connecticut spends on prescription drugs for 270,000 people covered under the state’s insurance, according to Office of the Comptroller Spokesperson Madi Csejka.
“Right now, we are starting to see a flattening of the cost curve since the implementation of the Flyte program relative to GLP-1s. Currently, we are on pace for $35 to $40 million in annual spend in this fiscal year,” Csejka said in an email. “While we are projecting an additional increase, we do not project another 50% increase in the spend as we have seen in each of the prior 3 years.”
But use of Flyte appears to be taking off. There are currently 3,963 members of the state employee health plan enrolled in Flyte with a primary clinical goal of losing weight. Meaning 100% of those individuals are seeking medication for weight loss.
While the short-term spending is certainly eye-catching, the Comptroller’s Office sees this program as an effective way to mitigate medium and long-term costs associated with diabetes treatments and obesity-related health issues but are too early in the program to offer any possible savings estimates.
“In addition to a flattening of the GLP-1 script growth for this population, we are looking for improvements in clinical outcomes for this population driven by clinically significant weight loss, which for higher risk members, will result in medium and long-term benefits for the plan and the members alike,” Csejka said. “One of the items we will be interested in analyzing as the program continues to mature is the extent to which it is attracting higher risk plan participants and strategizing around how to increase the utilization of the program by those at higher risk for complications related to obesity.”
Topics on this page
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
It will be interesting to see the cost of other medications dropping as participants may get off drugs for other conditions due to the drop in weight.
$35 mill is a savings compared to the related and potential Healthcare costs if morbid obesity- high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease etc.
Is anyone aware that this program is being offered by a company out of California and any medication prescribed by State of Connecticut Physician who specialize in Weight loss is being denied? I have personally lost over 300 patients and counting to this patient poaching scheme. The State of Connecticut has made an active decision to take patients away from local physicians to support the economy of the State of California? I believe tax payers should be informed and concerned with this and any other programs taking tax dollars out of the state they are paid into. Connecticut’s legislators have chosen to put the middle finger up to physicians in CT. Every Physician and taxpayer should know the truth about how this state continues to fail to support of it’s own local businesses.
Great Job Legislators!
I can totally see where you’re coming from. It isn’t for the patient’s benefit either — appointments are very, very far out. I am grateful for the chance, but I don’t understand why my PCP (who has years of context about my health) is trusted less than a doctor who will meet me once.
I could not agree more and happen to be one of the people who was previously managed locally by a CT weight management specialist. My experience so far with the Flyte program has been terrible with long wait times for virtual appointments, unprofessional staff, and technological issues. This puts patients in a difficult position. I either need to continue my weight loss medications under the “care” of this program, come off of the medications that have finally helped after I’ve failed everything else, or pay completely out of pocket (despite having good insurance that we work hard for) to continue having the local doctor prescribe for me. Frankly, paying out of pocket is not an option if I want to keep a roof over my head and continue to feed and clothe my children. I’d like not to stop the medications for fear of recurrence of my weight-related medical problems. I guess that leaves me stuck with this terrible program when I would so much rather remain under the care of my CT doctor. Shouldn’t I have a choice in who my provider is? I did not choose Flyte.
My doctor prescribed one of the two medications mentioned in the article. My pharmacy told me the medication was authorized. However, I would have to pay $1300. I spoke to my insurance company and was told that the medication will be covered, only of I go through Flyte. This is not right. My doctor is fully capable of managing my care.
Flyte is a scam – its essentially an added barrier that stands in the way of patients from getting the reasonable medical care they need. My last insurance allowed me to just get this perscription I needed from my doctor. Now this insurance forces me to go through Flyte which has month long wait periods and numerous hurdles, as well as requiring technology use which is difficult for many patients. State of CT needs to do better in supporting their state workers.
I was being prescribed Ozempic by my physician and was on it for approximately 9 months before insurance stopped paying. While on it, I was successful with my weightloss. I signed up for Flyte, which wasy inly option at that point assuming they would continue to prescribe the medication I was already on. I was completely wrong. It took months to get an appoint. By this time, I was off my medication and gained weight back. They decided to prescribe me Wellvutrin which skyrocket my blood pressure. I am now trying to communicate with them regarding another medication alternative, however, they seem very resist to prescribe. Everything is virtual and I don’t see how that is more beneficial then meeting with my own physician who knows me and my health.
Flyte is an optimal program, as it initially presents an additional obstacle for patients to receive reasonable medical care. However, after consulting with the Flyte provider, the process becomes smoother, enabling patients to access necessary medication and support. Under my previous insurance, I could obtain the required prescription directly from my regular doctor, given my prediabetic condition. Nevertheless, my current insurance necessitates the use of the Flyte program, which involves lengthy wait periods and numerous challenges initially, but becomes more efficient with patience and determination, ultimately making it worthwhile for a healthier lifestyle. Although it requires technology use, which can be difficult for many patients, I am willing to learn and make sacrifices for being healthier in life. The State of CT is providing excellent support to its state workers, which I believe is beneficial.
Please. Is this a bot? Is this even a person? The program is terrible. Wait times are so long, the physician executives are making money off denials. No wonder not just Connecticuters but Americans are fed up with the “cost containment” measures of corporate medicine.
Recently I had my first appointment with flyte health. For context I have a sleeve bipass over 1 year ago and it didn’t work. I was hoping gor the glp 1 since it worked but now i needed to go through Flyte. First the dr. suggested phethermine, which I had in the past, it did not work and raised my blood pressure. So, I said no to this medication. Then, she prescribed an anti seizure medication. I sent a message letting her know that I was concerned about the side effects and what should I look for and how to get a hold of her. It took her 8 days to get back to me. Long story short, I am canceling all future appointments. Very disappointed
The state has made a mockery of healthcare and the relationship between a primary care physician (pcp) and her/his patient. I was part of the Flyte program for 18 months, as mandated by the state in order to obtain weight loss medications that my pcp believed were medically necessary. The state required a Flyte physician (although I only saw a nurse and never once saw an actual physician) to prescribe this medication and would not allow my pcp to prescribe it under insurance coverage. In those 18 months, I was placed on FIVE different medications, all with side effects, and none of which worked to assist with weight loss — all while my pcp continued to believe, in her medical opinion, that I needed a glp-1 medication due to other health factors. How ridiculous.
This program is a scam that takes away the right of a pcp to make medical decisions for a patient and it must be eliminated by the state of Connecticut.
After enduring 18 months of BS, serious side effects, and being unable to follow the medical recommendations of my own pcp, I walked away from Flyte and am now paying for my medication out of pocket. I am beyond angry.
Sounds about right. And there is no place to actually review their company.
It has been a terrible experience, but I’d like to share some tips:
1. If you are desperate to get the GLP1 while waiting for your far out appointment, ask your PCP to send your prescription directly to the manufacturer pharmacy. Get the pharmacy details from the Lilly website. Instead of $1300, you pay 350.
2. If you are not diabetic, request the compounded version such as Zepbound, Wegovy. If not, Mounjaro or Ozempic is guaranteed to be denied because insurance has the excuse that it’s Not FDA approved for non diabetics.
3. This is the best – NEVER go to your PCP for weight loss. Find a doctor that is an obesity specialist to prescribe it. If you’re diabetic, see an Endocrinologist to prescribe it for you.
I have read every fine print and realized these are the loopholes that save you time and money. Forget about Flyte Health. They are working for the insurance company against your health. And I hate to add race, but when it’s a black man’s problem, they don’t care even more. Diabetes & obesity affect more blacks.
Finally, a class action lawsuit is appropriate. They have huge malpractice issues and MUST be called out.