From an ongoing discussion in an anonymous physician group on Facebook, doctors across Massachusetts are voicing frustration and heartbreak as three major insurers in the state have announced plans to stop covering GLP-1 medications for weight loss beginning January 1, 2026. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Mass General Brigham Health Plan have all publicly confirmed the removal of GLP-1 weight loss drugs from many of their commercial formularies, citing unsustainable rising costs. However, all three insurers have clarified that GLP-1 medications will continue to be covered for type 2 diabetes treatment.
The insurers’ public notices specify that the exclusions primarily apply to weight management and obesity indications. There is no public documentation confirming blanket restrictions for all non-obesity indications such as binge eating disorder.
According to clinicians in the group, Blue Cross Blue Shield explained that it tried to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to bring prices down but was not successful. Insurers have stated that the main reason for reducing coverage is the sharp increase in GLP-1 prescriptions and has caused financial strain on insurance plans. 1
With high demand and no price relief in sight, the insurers decided they could not continue paying for GLP-1 medications that are used to treat obesity, diabetes and binge eating disorder.
This move has already left many patients without the medication they depend on.
One anonymous doctor described a sense of helplessness as treatment plans fell apart overnight.
“Three of the big health insurances in Massachusetts have excluded GLP1s from their formulary based on cost. This is not appealable. They refuse to cover it. According to BCBS, they attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost so they dropped it. In this money war, only patients suffer.
"I truly do not know what to do for my patients with binge eating disorder at this point. These meds have been a miracle to decrease the food noise and manage appetite.”
Doctors in the group emphasized that alternative medications often do not provide the same level of control, especially for patients battling binge eating disorder. Out of pocket costs for GLP-1s often exceed one thousand dollars per month, which puts them far out of reach for most patients.
While many physicians expressed anger, others said the decision is a predictable result of how the insurance system is built. One anonymous physician commented:
“Honestly, I feel like this is actually understandable. Insurance is a business. For them to have a large proportion of their clientele wanting to be on GLP1s and they are expensive, it costs them a lot cumulatively."
"What insurance eventually probably saves money if everyone loses weight for years and years? Medicare, down the road. Not everyone, but a lot of people will figure out how to cash pay if they want to prioritize it.”
This commenter added that not everyone has that privilege and said they would like to see universal healthcare in the United States.
References:
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to stop covering popular drugs for weight loss starting 2026.” CBS Boston. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/blue-cross-blue-shield-massachusetts-weight-loss-glp1/
Mass General Brigham Health Plan. “GLP-1 Coverage.” Accessed December 8, 2025. https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/glp1-coverage
“Reversing Progress on Obesity Care.” National Consumers League. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://nclnet.org/reversing-progress-on-obesity-care/
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. “Important Drug Coverage Updates — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Members.” Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/public/news/important-drug-coverage-updates-harvard-pilgrim-health-care-members
(Rh/ARC/MSM)
