I know, it isn't Sunday but I have some time off so I'm doing a blog post today. I missed last week because I didn't feel like it. I have been having a difficult time with my mental health. My doctor and I have been working with different medications, and things have been all over the place. I have been going through tests after tests, and honestly I didn't feel like using my one day off to write anything.
However; I am on some good medication now. It has improved my mood and things are going good. On top of that I'm on vacation, so lets get this started.
About two weeks ago at work we got the notice our annual enrollment was coming up for our benefits in 2025. It happens the beginning of ever November. They send out the announcement along with a list of things changing, or updating. All that good stuff. It's all put together in a nice packet that is easy to follow along with. They even have access to the current years information so it's easy to compare, because lets face it. Figuring our medical benefits is TOUGHT!!!
It's like an alien language you barely understand. So when they break it down for you in nice little graphs and charts, it makes coming to a decision a lot easier. Now, I'm not here to talk about what I choose for benefits. That's private. What I am here to talk about is one piece of information that was really hard not to take offense to.
Starting Jan. 1st 2025, everyone that takes GLP-1 medication for "weight loss" must be enrolled in Virta.
Virta? What the hell is Virta?
Was my first thought, my second was, why? I already see a weight lost specialist, isn't that enough?
Anyways, I go to the Virta website and start doing my homework. As I read more and more about Virta Weight Lost Management I get more and more pissed off. When you get right down to it they are a program that believes in mainly reversing type 2 diabetes through diet not medication. In fact they have a NO medication stance. Their whole goal is to get you off your medication.
Right away panic sets in. My moods were already bad from my other meds and now this? Oh hell no!
I couldn't deal, and I lost my cool. I started writing angry letters to HR, and these Virta people. I started reading horror stories about them and their program. All I could think about was "I knew this was going to happen." and two "they are trying to take my medication." I was losing my shit!
I did do one smart thing through all this panic, and I signed up for enrollment in Virta. Which turns out was a good thing because now there is a waiting list to get in that stretches into next year. And as my benefits package says, "Only GLP-1 medication prescribed by Virta will be covered" this is a very good thing. I actually have my enrollment meeting next week so I will let you know how it goes.
Now, am I happy about this? Hell no.
This is a hoop I have to jump through to get what I need to loss weight. They want me to try diet, which is basically the Keto diet. Diet does not work for me. Yeah I always end up losing something weight, about 15 pounds, but then it stops and I gain it all back.
Zepbound is the first thing I have ever tried that has really helped me.
Now, I get it. They want to weed out the people that are on this medicine for vanity. People that don't take it seriously. I get that, but then the rest of us have to suffer. Now here is the part I am extremely pissed about.
Anyone taking a GLP-1 (ozpemic, zepbound, ect.) who has type 2 diabetes does not need to enroll in the Virta program. ONLY people that are considered Obese.
Why the discrimination?
Obesity is a medical problem. I have a hormonal imbalance that causes me to gain and retain weight. I can eat all the right things, workout and everything and still not lose. How is this not a medical problem like type 2 diabetes? In fact if I don't lose weight I will end up with type 2 diabetes, and then what? I guess my meds will be covered without question. However, this is preventative care, when you really think about it. So why is some preventative care covered and others not?
Well, you see obesity has not been officially labeled as a disease. In fact it's only considered a health problem. Not an actual disease. Because of that coverage for weight loss medication is considered and elective. I'm actually very lucky that my work is still going to cover my zepbound, even through I have to go through this stupid program.
So while I am pissed, annoyed, and I am not going to have a fun time with this Virta program. I am still covered. My company is one of the good ones, are they great. No, they have their flaws (Virta), but they are trying.
Now if you work for a company and your insurance doesn't cover GLP-1 medication for weight loss try this organization. They will help you push your company to cover the medication. Let's work together to get obesity labeled correctly.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment