The State of Ohio continuously seeks to provide high-quality health benefits for you and your family while balancing the demands of increasing health care costs. We believe you and your family deserve access to affordable, quality health care and are proud to provide a range of inclusive programs to help you to live healthier, productive lives.
Among our robust package of benefits, the State of Ohio will offer a new weight loss program beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7. We are partnering with Virta, a clinical leader in weight loss, to offer this proven weight loss option in light of increasing drug costs. With Virta, there’s a kinder way to lose weight that doesn’t require calorie counting or extra gym visits. Backed by research and trusted by thousands, Virta’s guided nutrition program helps you pick the right foods to stay full, satisfied, and energized — all while losing unwanted weight.
Your benefit includes:
- Unlimited support from an expert health coach to keep you on track
- Exclusive nutrition resources and recipes for your lifestyle
- A digital body weight scale that syncs with your phone
- Limited access to GLP-1 medications for those who meet FDA guidelines.
Virta weight loss program qualifications:
- State of Ohio employees, spouses, and dependents over 18 enrolled in the state’s medical plan;
- Must have a BMI greater than 25; and
- Access to GLP-1 medications determined by participant’s interest and medical qualifications.
Costs and reimbursement
Participation in the weight loss program is free to all members enrolled in the State of Ohio’s medical plan. Only participants who have been prescribed GLP-1 medications through the weight loss program by a Virta clinician will pay for the costs associated with the medication. Members who are prescribed GLP-1 medications by a Virta prescriber will utilize the direct-to-pharma approach that provides a significantly reduced prescription cost that the members will buy directly from the manufacturer outside the health care plan. Employees may request reimbursement from the State of Ohio for a portion of the medication cost. Reimbursement will occur 4-6 weeks after proof of purchase and confirmation of compliance with program requirements and will appear on the employee's paycheck. Reimbursements are taxable income that will be reflected in your paycheck.
The subsidy (reimbursement) is limited to 2,500 qualified State of Ohio employees (including employees who are covered under a family plan of another State of Ohio employee) at any given time, and is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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