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NCCI Examines GLP-1s in Workers Compensation – New Series: Asked & Answered – GLP-1s

12 Nov, 2026 NCCI

                               

Few medications in recent history have captured the public’s attention like GLP-1s. While previously prescribed for diabetes, other broader benefits have been revealed.

GLP-1s - Current Use in Workers' Compensation

GLP-1 use remains very limited. It represented about 0.02% of the total medical spend in 2025. Based on NCCI’s Medical Data Call, $1.9 million was spent on GLP-1 drugs as compared to approximately $9.3 billion in total medical payments. Coincidentally, GLP-1s represent about 0.02% of the total claim counts in 2025 as well.

Historical Growth

In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration first approved semaglutide for chronic weight management.¹ Since then, payments for GLP-1 drugs in the workers' compensation system have averaged annual growth of nearly 40%.

At first glance, this level of growth may seem significant; however, it is important to contextualize this with the overall medical spend in workers' compensation:

  • GLP-1s represented 0.01% of total medical spend in 2021.
  • By 2025, this share increased to just 0.02% of overall spend.
  • Even if GLP-1 use continues to grow, the overall impact on workers compensation will remain minimal.

GLP-1 Claim Details

With limited use, it’s difficult to make broad generalizations about GLP-1 claims in workers compensation. The data does not show any meaningful use of GLP-1s for weight loss ahead of surgery.

Looking Ahead

Despite continued growth, GLP-1 use in workers compensation remains extremely limited, both in terms of the share of claims with these drugs and the overall volume of losses observed. We don’t expect the impact of GLP-1 use to be a significant loss driver because obesity is typically not a compensable injury.

View the full report: Asked & Answered - GLP-1s

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