Semaglutide Linked to Reduced Health Care Expenses for Patients With Obesity, HF, ASCVD

New findings presented during the Obesity Week 2024 meeting show that the initiation of semaglutide treatment among patients with overweight or obesity (Ov/Ob) who have either heart failure (HF) or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) may reduce patient health care costs.^1,2

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The first set of research findings presented orally at the meeting came from a study utilizing a nationally representative insurance claims database to identify patients who met the following criteria: diagnosis of Ov/Ob and HF; initiation of semaglutide 2.4 mg after June 15, 2021; and a minimum of 12 months of continuous insurance enrollment both before (baseline period) and after (follow-up period) the first semaglutide fill date.¹

A total of 806 eligible patients were identified, with more than half of the cohort being female (59.7%). The investigation focused on assessing the absolute and relative changes in medical costs, which included inpatient, outpatient, emergency department (ED), and total medical costs, comparing the follow-up period (post initiation of semaglutide) to the baseline period (preinitiation). The analysis used paired t tests to determine the statistical significance of these changes.

Results demonstrated the mean total medical costs per patient per year (PPPY) decreased significantly after patients began semaglutide treatment. Specifically, the average total medical costs dropped from $29,654 in the baseline period to $22,152 in the follow-up period, a reduction of $7502 (25.3%; P = .003).

Inpatient costs decreased by $4372 (32.4%), from $13,481 PPPY to $9110 PPPY (P = .04). Outpatient costs fell by $2634 (18.8%), from $13,975 PPPY to $11,341 PPPY (P = .005). ED costs were reduced by $496 (22.6%), from $2197 PPPY to $1701 PPPY (P = .003).

Investigators noted that these reductions in medical costs occurred despite the additional cost of the semaglutide treatment itself, which is known to be expensive. This suggests that the clinical benefits of semaglutide, including weight loss and improvement in HF symptoms, may lead to fewer hospital admissions, fewer outpatient visits, and less frequent use of emergency services, ultimately reducing overall health care costs.

This research included another cohort of patients; findings were presented in a poster at the meeting. In this analysis, the investigators identified 1282 patients with Ov/Ob and ASCVD who initiated semaglutide 2.4 mg treatment after June 15, 2021.² The analysis used the same large, nationally representative insurance claims database, comparing health care utilization and medical costs in the 12 months before (baseline period) and after (follow-up period) the first prescription fill of semaglutide.

Total annual medical costs per patient dropped significantly, from a mean of $25,233 in the baseline period to $15,957 in the follow-up period, a reduction of $9276 (36.8%, P < .001). The breakdown of costs showed similar reductions across multiple categories. Inpatient costs decreased by $5800 (61.0%), from $9504 to $3704 (P < .001), outpatient costs decreased by $2639 (19.5%), from $13,528 to $10,889 (P < .001), and ED costs fell by $837 (38.0%), from $2202 to $1364 (P < .001).

The combined findings highlight the potential of semaglutide 2.4 mg as an effective intervention for reducing health care costs in patients with Ov/Ob and coexisting cardiovascular conditions like HF or ASCVD. Both studies demonstrated that semaglutide treatment led to significant reductions in total medical costs, including inpatient, outpatient, and ED visits.

These cost savings were observed despite the additional cost of the medication itself, suggesting that the clinical benefits of semaglutide—such as weight loss and improved cardiovascular outcomes—can help reduce the need for expensive health care services. Given the rising burden of obesity and cardiovascular disease in the US, these findings underscore the importance of considering semaglutide as part of a broader strategy for improving patient outcomes while managing healthcare costs.

References

1. Michalak W, Zhang Y, Boame N, Sienko D, Faurby M, Alvarez S.
Effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on healthcare costs in patients with obesity and heart failure. Presented at: Obesity Week 2024; November 3-6, 2024; San Antonio, TX. Oral-112. https://tos.planion.com/Web.User/AbstractDet?ACCOUNT=TOS&ABSID=1105766&CONF=OW2024&ssoOverride=OFF&CKEY=B16I7I888

2. Michalak W, Zhang Y, Boame N, Sienko D, Faurby M, Alvarez S.
Effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on healthcare costs in patients with obesity and ASCVD (SHINE-ASCVD). Presented at: Obesity Week 2024; November 3-6, 2024; San Antonio, TX. Poster-086. https://tos.planion.com/Web.User/AbstractDet?ACCOUNT=TOS&ABSID=1105663&CONF=OW2024&ssoOverride=OFF&CKEY=B16I7I888