In healthcare, some changes happen slowly and others seem to happen overnight. Right now, weight management feels like the latter. GLP-1s are everywhere, digital platforms keep multiplying, and everyone claims to have the solution. And with so many moving pieces, more options without the right guidance don’t make things easier for employers — they make it harder to control costs, improve health, and find a weight management solution for employers that will last.
Here’s the kicker: GLP-1s are far bigger than weight loss. The headlines are about weight loss, but the real story is a turning point in chronic disease care. That shift means that even if you don’t have a GLP-1 strategy now, you will soon. Expanding coverage and more affordable oral versions are on the way, and they’ll touch almost every organization. But beyond the cost, there’s one issue no one can afford to ignore: most people on GLP-1s aren’t getting the support they need to succeed.
For employers and health plans, that gap is what makes this so costly. If a program doesn’t actually change behavior and deliver outcomes, you end up paying for short-term results that don’t last. The real challenge isn’t choosing what looks promising today. It’s finding a solution that keeps working as needs evolve, new medications hit the market, and the science keeps moving.
Here are five signs to know whether a weight-management solution will last:
The 5 signs of staying power for a weight management solution for employers
1. Look for a program that evolves, not one that expires Obesity care is moving fast. A good program keeps up — adapting to new science, guidelines, and engagement strategies without needing to be rebuilt from scratch. If it can’t evolve, you’ll be back in the market when the next shift hits. Why it matters: Protects your investment and keeps you out of the start-stop cycle.
2. Make sure it treats the whole person The programs that last go beyond the number on the scale. They address eating patterns, movement, sleep, stress, and other drivers of long-term health. Skip those, and you’re just setting people up for weight regain and more chronic disease down the road. Why it matters: Tackling the root causes reduces risk and cost over time.
3. Ask to see engagement past the honeymoon phase Sign-ups are easy. Six months in is the real test. Are people still showing up, or has it gone quiet? Strong programs know how to bring participants back when life gets in the way. Why it matters: Without sustained engagement, there are no sustained results — or ROI.
4. Check the outcomes that matter to you Any program can flash quick wins. The real measure is what happens year after year. Look for data on sustained weight results, health improvements, and business impact — like lower claims and fewer high-cost episodes. Why it matters: Long-term outcomes are the only way to prove the spend is worth it.
5. Make sure it can grow with you Workforces change. The best programs adapt to different populations, benefit designs, and budgets without losing quality or driving up costs. If it only works for one group, it won’t work for you for long. Why it matters: Scalability saves you from costly do-overs and ensures consistency across the organization.
Picking a weight-management program isn’t just about solving today’s problem. It’s about choosing something that will still deliver outcomes long after launch. The programs that last are the ones that adapt with the science, treat the whole person, keep people engaged, prove their results, and fit the workforce you serve.
If you’re an employer or health plan leader, use these five signs as your filter when evaluating vendors, whether you’re adding GLP-1 coverage for the first time or strengthening what you already have. The right choice won’t just drive weight loss. It will improve health, prevent costly chronic disease, and deliver lasting value to your organization. For more information on how Wondr Health can help your own population, visit www.wondrhealth.com.
