TOPEKA (KSNT) – Shawnee County leaders are looking for ways to save money as costs rise for a widely-used weight loss drug.
Shawnee County commissioners held a work session on Monday, Aug. 31 to discuss issues impacting the county’s employee benefit program. One of the major contributing factors to these problems includes the rising cost of GLP-1 weight loss medications.
Connor Clune with Willis Towers Watson (WTW), Shawnee County’s benefits consultant, helped deliver a presentation to commissioners during the meeting. He said WTW estimates the county’s net plan cost for the GLP-1 medications could hit $1.4 million by next year if no changes are made to the current coverage structure.
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“This is a coverage that for our clients is optional, so you’re not required to provide coverage for these drugs,” Clune said. “There can obviously be some benefits for these drugs, but these drugs have exploded in costs for the county for the past few years.”
Shawnee County spokeswoman Amanda Monhollon said WTW staff offered an alternative option to commissioners that could potentially bring down the annual price tag by around $820,000 through an employer subsidy and direct-to-consumer pricing. Commissioners discussed concerns of putting additional costs onto county staffers, potential savings and the priority of maintaining competitive benefits for employee recruitment and retention.
Monhollon said commissioners also looked over options for Shawnee County’s stop-loss insurance coverage and vision insurance options. You can watch the Aug. 31 work session again by clicking here.
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