With the explosion of GLP-1 medications and increasing demand for employer-sponsored weight loss support, dozens of vendors are now offering programs that promise fast results, cost control, and clinical outcomes. But not all programs are created equal.

As a self-funded employer or advisor, the stakes are high. You’re not just choosing a wellness tool — you’re selecting a long-term partner that can materially impact population health, employee satisfaction, and pharmacy spend. You need a solution that’s clinically sound, financially sustainable, and operationally turnkey.

Here are five essential questions to help you cut through the noise and make an informed decision.

1. Do they offer clinical oversight — or just access?

GLP-1s are prescription medications with significant clinical implications. Responsible prescribing requires more than a quick telehealth check-in.

Look for vendors that:

• Use licensed providers for every prescription
• Conduct comprehensive intake screenings (including metabolic markers and contraindications)
• Monitor side effects over time (especially GI symptoms, dehydration, or nutrient deficiencies)
• Review each case before increasing dosage
• Have a formal protocol for tapering off medication

Without real clinical infrastructure, your plan could be exposed to overuse, safety issues, and runaway costs.

2. What’s their dosing strategy?

Some vendors take a “max-dose” approach — escalating all members to the highest GLP-1 dose as quickly as possible. Others, like Embla, follow a lowest effective dose model — keeping members at the lowest dose that still delivers results, and increasing only when necessary.

Why this matters:

• Max-dose protocols can double or triple your pharmacy costs per member
• Higher doses often cause more severe side effects, leading to dropout
• Evidence shows that meaningful weight loss can occur even at lower doses, when paired with behavior change

Embla members achieve an average of 16.7% weight loss at 12 months, while using 66% less GLP-1 medication than traditional titration models.

3. Do they provide structured behavior change support?

Weight loss that depends entirely on medication is fragile. If there’s no behavioral foundation, members will likely regain the weight once they stop the drug.

Ask:

• Do members get 1:1 coaching, or just chatbots or group messages?
• Is coaching evidence-based (e.g. ACT or CBT)?
• Does the program support habit formation in areas like sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress?

At Embla, members receive weekly video sessions with the same coach, supported by structured content and long-term relapse prevention strategies.

4. What outcomes can they prove?

Any vendor can show engagement stats or glowing testimonials — but can they prove clinical and cost outcomes?

Ask for:

• Average % weight loss at 3, 6, and 12 months
• Medication usage over time (including average dose)
• Tapering success rates (i.e. how many members maintain weight after stopping meds)
• Retention, satisfaction, and coaching engagement

At Embla, we provide:

• 16.7% avg. weight loss at 12 months
• 8 in 10 members taper off medication without weight regain
• Full transparency on dose-level medication usage

5. How quickly can they launch?

A strong vendor should be:

• Fully digital, requiring no in-person care coordination
• Easily integrated into your existing plan, with no complex billing or EHR dependencies
• Equipped with dedicated onboarding support

Embla’s program launches in 1–2 weeks with minimal lift for HR teams. We handle member education, eligibility screening, and ongoing support.

Summary: Don’t just cover GLP-1s. Manage them.

GLP-1s can be part of a powerful weight loss solution — but they need to be used responsibly.

The best vendors combine:

• Medical oversight
• Coaching and behavior change
• Cost control through dosing strategy
• Transparent data for ROI tracking

Use these five questions to guide your evaluation process and ensure you partner with a vendor that drives lasting health outcomes without breaking the budget.