Vitality To Offer Weight Loss Medication Through Health Insurance
12 February 2025
Vitality to offer weight loss medication
Vitality, the next generation health and life insurer, has announced its members will have access to weight-loss medications through their Vitality health insurance cover, forming part of a holistic pathway including lifestyle support and one to one coaching. A pathway like this is a first in the UK market and further strengthens Vitality’s health insurance proposition. By offering targeted access to weight loss medication alongside its proprietary model to incentivise healthy habits, Vitality continues to pioneer a unique approach to insurance that can help its members live longer, healthier lives and support the societal push to a preventative approach to healthcare.
The weight loss medication will be available to Vitality members who meet certain criteria later this year and will be provided in conjunction with lifestyle support and one-to-one coaching with a dietitian, through Vitality partner Second Nature.
Vitality will offer access to these medications, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, for members based on their BMI and weight related health conditions. This will build on the success of Vitality’s existing weight loss programme, which uses reward-based incentives to encourage lifestyle change, and has seen significant results for members embarking on their weight loss journeys with 48% of enrolled members reaching their weight loss targets*.
By integrating weight loss medications into its health insurance offerings, Vitality is setting a new standard in health management, ensuring members have access to a variety of tools and support that will help them to achieve their goals and prevent health conditions related to obesity and deliver better health outcomes for its members.
Addressing a UK Health Challenge
As of 2024, obesity alone was estimated to cost the NHS around £6.5 billion per year and is a major driver of poor health in the country. It can lead to multiple health complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and non-fatty liver disease – and have broader implications for an individual’s healthspan meaning that they are living longer, but in worse health. Today’s announcement recognises that this is a pressing health challenge in our society, and through incorporating these medications into Vitality’s existing weight-loss programme, aims to address these issues head-on.
In line with clinical guidelines, medication assisted programmes have also been shown to be beneficial for those with a particularly high body mass index and coexisting conditions. For example, Wegovy, approved for use by the NHS in 2023, has been shown to achieve up to a 15% reduction in body weight after one year.
Dr Katie Tryon, Chief Commercial Director, VitalityHealth said: “Over the past year, the potential of weight-management medications has become more evident and while they are not a universal solution, they can be a useful tool in improving health. We are proud to be the first UK insurer to be offering this as part of our health insurance Weight loss can transform lives, both through the significant reduction in physical health complications but also in facilitating an overall shift towards a healthier lifestyle. By combining medications with our lifestyle support and one-to-one coaching, we are committing to help our members manage their weight in a long-term sustainable way.
“Vitality has always focused on helping its members live healthier lives, and expanding our weight loss offering is a continuation of that. Our cover continues to put prevention and health improvement at the very centre of our products and services, with benefits to long-term health, productivity and wider society.”
Chris Edson, CEO, Second Nature said "Our partnership with Vitality is a perfect example of this holistic approach in action. By combining weight loss medications with our personalised, one-to-one coaching and dietitian support, we’re offering a truly integrated and unique solution that tackles both the physical and behavioural aspects of weight management. It will help Vitality members not only achieve their weight loss goals but also build healthier, more sustainable lifestyles."
Notes to editors
* Vitality data 2021 to 2024
Eligible members can access the program by completing their Vitality Health Profile through the Vitality Member app. Based on their profile and eligibility, members will be recommended to participate in the Healthy Weight Signature Experience. If they have a BMI of 30 or over - or over 25 AND type 2 diabetes - we’ll offer them our lifestyle pathway. If they have a BMI of 35 or over, the member may be eligible for the medication-supported weight-loss programme. Members can then choose between the non-medicated route or the new medication-assisted pathway, with access to health coaching and discounted medications for up to 12 months based on their health risks.
Today's announcement is part of a series of enhancements expanding the range of products available through VitalityLife, VitalityHealth, and the Vitality Programme. These initiatives underscore Vitality's dedication to putting prevention and health support at the core of its products and services, empowering members to make positive changes to their health.