OMA BOT Book 4.24.2024

7173 S. Havana St #600-130 Centennial, CO 80112 P: 303.770.2526 | F: 303.779.4834 obesitymedicine.org

March 14, 2024 Public Employees Insurance Agency 601 57th St., SE, Suite 2

Charleston, WV 25304-2345 Dear Director Cunningham,

On behalf of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), an organization of nearly 5,000 expert medical clinicians who treat the chronic and relapsing disease of obesity, we would like to express our disappointment about the decision from the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to drop coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) under the state employees’ insurance plan. West Virginia ranks first in states impacted by obesity with more than 41% of adults with the disease and more than 33% of adults affected by overweight. State employees have benefited under PEIA’s medication program and OMA supported the program when it was first created. However, we are concerned that PEIA’s decision to eliminate coverage for AOMs effective March 15th clearly discriminates against plan beneficiaries seeking access to life changing and lifesaving treatments based solely on cost. Obesity is a multi-factorial chronic disease that cannot be adequately addressed through lifestyle changes alone. By the time patients with obesity seek our care, most have attempted weight loss multiple times and often with some success but then nearly always followed by weight regain due to the relapsing nature of the disease. Some of the tools we have available to assist these patients with treating this disease are AOMs that enhance the amount of weight lost, and more importantly, double to triple the odds of sustaining the weight lost. Like medications used for diabetes or high blood pressure, they reduce the burden of the disease for the patient, improve co-morbidities, and improve quality of life. However, unlike medications for hypertension and diabetes, most insurance companies deny coverage for this important class of medications, because they inaccurately classify the disease of obesity as a lifestyle choice. This is not consistent with current views of this important disease. It is no more a lifestyle choice than diabetes, hypertension, or mental illness like depression. Despite the broad acceptance of obesity as a chronic disease and the recognition that patients deserve access to care, the PEIA has chosen to apply a double standard when evaluating coverage of obesity care. As a nation, we must stop evaluating coverage of obesity care through a cost-only lens. The goal of healthcare is not to save money, but to improve the health and well-being of people. We request that PEIA continue to negotiate an equitable and accessible AOM coverage policy. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact our Policy Advisor, Chris Gallagher at chris@potomaccurrents.com. Thank you. Sincerely,

Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA, Dipl ABOM President Obesity Medicine Association Email: DrFitch@knownwell.health