Well-being alternatives for weight loss

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Join Julie Enga, a registered and licensed dietitian and leader of the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Well-being Team for a conversation about weight loss drugs, alternative solutions for weight management and how to keep your employees engaged in their preventive health care in this episode of Health Matters.

The link between GLP-1s and weight loss

GLP-1s, or semaglutides, have historically been used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, they are becoming more commonly used for weight loss, and your employees probably have questions about these drugs:

• How do they work?
• Do I need GLP-1s to lose weight?
• What are the side effects?
• Do my benefits cover them?

Here’s the reality — obesity is complex and there is no universal solution. While GLP-1s may be the answer for some, it is not always the best place to start.

Personal health history plays an important role in determining if someone should be prescribed a GLP-1, which is why it’s important that anyone considering weight loss drugs starts with a conversation with their primary care provider (PCP). In contrast, many patients are bypassing their PCP and obtaining GLP-1 prescriptions from places like online pharmaceutical companies and medical spas where they will likely not be monitored for side effects or receive guidance on diet and exercise.

“Individuals who are obese oftentimes have other conditions, so having those regular conversations with their doctor and talking through the best strategies for weight loss or to target obesity really should be done in that primary care setting,” said Enga.

How preventive care can impact weight management

While GLP-1s may be growing in popularity, they’re not the only option to help employees with weight loss. Before including GLP-1s in your prescription drug coverage, look at your current benefits, programs and services that can be used to keep your employees healthy, including preventive care.

When using GLP-1s for weight loss, behavior changes — like replacing snacking with movement and choosing home cooked food over the drive-through — play a big factor in determining long-term success. One of the easiest ways to get your employees to start building these healthy habits is by encouraging them to discuss their weight management goals with their PCP in their annual wellness exam and use their preventive benefits.

Resources from Wellmark that support weight management in the workplace

As a Wellmark business, you and your employees have access to a wide variety of weight management resources – including some that are included in your health plan.

Exclusive healthy deals with Blue365^®

Savings are just a click away with Blue365. All Wellmark members have exclusive access to deals and discounts to help them save money on things like:

• Gym memberships
• Fitness gear and activity trackers
• Healthy eating options

Blue365 makes healthy living a little easier by offsetting the costs of getting active and eating well. Registration is free and easy. Your employees will simply use their Wellmark ID card to get the Blue365 deals.

Personalized wellness resources in myWellmark^®

myWellmark makes it easy for all employees of fully-insured groups to set wellness goals and track their progress over time. Plus, the myWellmark wellness center has resources that provide personalized health recommendations based on your employees' health goals and support their mental health no matter where they are in their journey. myWellmark registration is simple — no ID card needed.

Wondr Health^TM

Wondr Health is a mindful eating program that focuses on behavior modification instead of dieting for employees wanting to lose weight. After 10 weeks of skill-building around healthy eating habits, participants will receive a year of counseling to ensure long-term success.

Lifestyle coaching from Doctor On Demand^®

When life gets busy, it can be hard to focus on sustaining healthy habits. With lifestyle coaching from Doctor On Demand, your employees have access to the counseling, motivation and reinforcement they need to stay on track. Plus, Wellmark members have access to 24/7 on-demand visits to Doctor On Demand, so your employees can address any physical or mental health concern at any time.

Positively Me^®

“We offer coaching specific to weight management through our well-being vendor called Positively Me,” said Enga, “It’s very effective when with working with individuals for weight loss.”

Positively Me offers personalized weight management coaching through clinically proven techniques. The program offers individualized support for nutrition, exercise, stress management and sleep health, allowing your employees to maximize their well-being.

Building healthy behaviors

Regardless of whether your employees use GLP-1s for weight loss or not, it’s important to remember that for consistent progress, long-term behavior changes are key. Healthy habits can start at work with something as simple as encouraging more movement in the office or promoting healthy eating.

If you’re not sure where to start in your business, the Wellmark Well-being Team can help. Through our employer consulting and well-being services, the Wellmark Well-being Team provides a variety of evidence-based programs, including Wondr Health and Positively Me, that address all elements of well-being.

Our services can provide you with tools and resources to help you create a desired workplace culture that aligns health and well-being to your organization's overall mission and vision and more.

Email wellbeing@wellmark.com to learn more about Wellmark’s employer well-being and consulting services.