GLP-1 Drugs: Over 50 Million Privately Insured Adults May Be Eligible

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Good afternoon! A significant number of insured Americans may be eligible for GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, which are widely used for weight loss and diabetes management.

According to a new analysis from KFF, at least two out of every five U.S. adults under the age of 65 with private insurance could be eligible for GLP-1s based on clinical criteria. This includes over 36 million people with an obesity diagnosis alone.

GLP-1s are approved to treat adults with Type 2 diabetes or obesity, or who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension or high cholesterol. Additionally, Novo Nordisk's weight loss injection Wegovy is the only GLP-1 approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in obese or overweight adults with cardiovascular disease.

The number of adults eligible for GLP-1 drugs may differ based on additional requirements set by their employer-sponsored health plans. KFF stated that employers consider the high cost of covering these drugs, which cost around $1,000 per month, against their clinical benefits and employee demand.

Employers could impose additional eligibility conditions for coverage, such as higher BMI requirements, KFF said. For instance, if employers adopted a BMI threshold of 35 or greater, only 14.6 million adults under 65 covered by those health plans would be eligible. The current BMI cutoff for GLP-1s is 30 or greater (for patients with obesity) and 27 or more (for those who are overweight,) according to approval labels for GLP-1 drugs for obesity.

Some plans may also only cover GLP-1s for diabetes management, not obesity.

According to KFF, only a "relatively modest number of people" were enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans with a claim for a GLP-1 as of two years ago. In 2022, only 3% of adults with employer coverage had a prescription for one of the drugs in this class. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, is the most common GLP-1 drug since it joined the U.S. market in 2018.

GLP-1 drug use has continued to increase over the past two years, according to some evidence, despite the most recent insurance claims data available. Approximately 6% of all adults, regardless of their insurance coverage, report currently taking a GLP-1 drug, according to a KFF poll released in May. About 12% of adults have taken one of these treatments at some point.

GLP-1s may become more accessible to a larger population as they are approved for new uses. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently studying their drugs as potential treatments for fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease, among others. Approval for these conditions may occur within the next year or so.

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Apple unveils new health technology for sleep apnea and hearing assistance.

Good afternoon!

On Monday, Apple held an event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, where it announced a range of new products and updates. The company unveiled its iPhone 16 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10, and new AirPods. However, I believe its new health-care features were the standout of the show.

"Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on Monday that the upcoming AirPods Pro 2 will include a new hearing aid feature, as well as a groundbreaking method for detecting sleep apnea using the Apple Watch. These cutting-edge tools will enable individuals to connect more intimately and lead healthier lives."

Here's everything you need to know:Apple Watch Series 10

The new Apple watch is equipped to notify users of sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep.

More than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, but 80% of them are undiagnosed. If untreated, those with sleep apnea may face a higher risk of heart problems, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes.

The Series 10 monitors breathing disturbances during sleep using an accelerometer, which are then displayed in the Health app. Apple analyzes this data monthly and alerts users if they exhibit "consistent signs" of severe or moderate sleep apnea.

In addition to the report, the company will produce a comprehensive document that users can present to their physicians.

Apple stated that the detection algorithm for the sleep apnea feature was developed using a comprehensive dataset of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests and was validated in a clinical study. The company anticipates that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulators will approve the technology "very soon."

The Apple Watch Series 10 is available for preorder starting Sept. 20, with a price of $399. Additionally, sleep apnea notifications will be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

AirPods Pro 2

The new AirPods Pro 2 features from Apple can assist users in evaluating and safeguarding their hearing.

The company developed a five-minute-long hearing test that can be done at home using AirPods Pro 2. Users will need to put on the earbuds and tap their screen when they hear sounds at different frequencies and volumes.

Apple announced that the hearing test is backed by clinical validation and real-world data. The test results will be saved in the Health app, allowing users to view their personalized hearing profile. Users can take the test frequently and receive educational resources on hearing loss from the company.

Individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss can use their AirPods Pro 2 as a clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid after taking a hearing test. Apple uses the test results to determine the sounds that need to be amplified in real time, whether it's environmental elements or different parts of speech.

Dr. Sumbul Desai, vice president of health at Apple, stated during the event that this feature will enhance your safety, connect you with people nearby, and improve your ability to hear and engage in conversations.

Apple applies users' hearing profiles to phone calls, music, and movies across their devices, as Desai stated.

Apple anticipates that the FDA and other regulatory bodies will soon approve the hearing tools. The hearing test and hearing aid features will be accessible in a free software update this fall. The AirPods Pro 2 are now available for $249.

Apple announced that AirPods Pro 2 will include a "Hearing Protection" feature that reduces exposure to harmful environmental noise.

The ear tips on Apple's headphones passively reduce noise, and the machine learning on the H2 chip reduces louder, more intermittent noise at 48,000 times per second. The hearing protection feature is enabled by default.

Although Apple is still awaiting regulatory approval, these features strengthen the company's position as a leader in the health-care industry. With more health data readily available, Apple seems to be highly conscious of its role in this space.

Will the health features of new watches and headphones be sufficient to motivate consumers to make purchases?

You can read more about Apple's latest announcements here.

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