Drug costs

GLP-1 medications

With benefits far beyond weight loss, patient uptake is rising. How can payers, life sciences companies, and other healthcare stakeholders keep pace with demand for GLP-1s?

OVERVIEW

Balancing the costs and benefits of GLP-1s

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications have been hailed as medical breakthroughs. Originally prescribed to treat diabetes, GLP-1s have been shown to help with a range of chronic conditions, including heart disease and obesity. These widespread clinical benefits have led to a surge in patient uptake—and higher prescription drug spending by commercial insurers and state Medicaid agencies.

Milliman’s research helps assess the impact of GLP-1s—from potential market size for pharmaceutical manufacturers to reimbursement trends and utilization management strategies for payers—to help stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem adapt.

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White paper

Payer strategies for GLP-1 medications for weight loss

We review coverage options and ways to minimize the waste associated with patient nonadherence.

View the research

Listicle

6 things to know about GLP-1s and compounding

Considerations for healthcare stakeholders amid drug shortages.

Explore the list

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White paper

GLP-1 agonists in Medicaid: Utilization, growth, and management

Medicaid UM strategies and a framework for making benefit design decisions.

Read the paper

White paper

Questions surrounding anti-diabetic GLP-1s in Medicaid

Data-driven insights to help manage the financial strain posed by rising utilization.

See our quantitative analysis

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Insight

Read our latest research on GLP-1s

White paper

Commercial drug trends: Looking to 2026 and onward

Changes in healthcare legislation and drug manufacturer pricing strategies have made the projection of average wholesale price and ingredient cost trends all the more critical.

Read the article

Webinar

Slimming down costs: MFPs and anti-obesity models unpacked

Gain timely insights into the upcoming Medicare Part D Maximum Fair Prices (MFP) for 2026 and 2027. Explore how these changes will impact coverage, access, and the competitive landscape for generics and biosimilars. Plus, discover the transformative power of anti-obesity demonstration models and what they mean for the future of healthcare.

Watch the webinar

Report

Building a long-range GLP-1 forecast: When could commercial health plans see a plateau?

GLP-1 drugs: We provide a framework for building a long-range forecast to help employers understand how trends may change over time.

Read the report

White paper

Measuring how GLP-1 medications impact the total cost of care

Approaches to assessing and managing the effects of GLP-1 drugs on health and financial outcomes

Read the paper

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Regulatory complexity makes Medicaid a challenging market for all concerned—governments, providers, and plans alike. Milliman's experts have diverse actuarial, operational, and market experience from decades in the realm of government healthcare services.

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GLP-1 medications

Balancing the costs and benefits of GLP-1s

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Payer strategies for GLP-1 medications for weight loss

6 things to know about GLP-1s and compounding

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GLP-1 agonists in Medicaid: Utilization, growth, and management

Questions surrounding anti-diabetic GLP-1s in Medicaid

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Read our latest research on GLP-1s

Commercial drug trends: Looking to 2026 and onward

Slimming down costs: MFPs and anti-obesity models unpacked

Building a long-range GLP-1 forecast: When could commercial health plans see a plateau?

Measuring how GLP-1 medications impact the total cost of care

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Related Milliman products

Milliman Specialty Pharmacy Insights

MedInsight

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Related Milliman services

Life sciences

Medicaid

Employer-sponsored health & group benefits

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We’re here to help

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Balancing the costs and benefits of GLP-1s

Payer strategies for GLP-1 medications for weight loss

6 things to know about GLP-1s and compounding

GLP-1 agonists in Medicaid: Utilization, growth, and management

Questions surrounding anti-diabetic GLP-1s in Medicaid

Read our latest research on GLP-1s

Commercial drug trends: Looking to 2026 and onward

Slimming down costs: MFPs and anti-obesity models unpacked

Building a long-range GLP-1 forecast: When could commercial health plans see a plateau?

Measuring how GLP-1 medications impact the total cost of care

Related Milliman products

Milliman Specialty Pharmacy Insights

MedInsight

Related Milliman services

Life sciences

Medicaid

Employer-sponsored health & group benefits

We’re here to help