A Pathway Back for Wegovy Switchers, New Interviews & Resources
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for your incredible, continued support. I’m writing to provide another important update on our collective efforts as our petition has now grown to 17,000 signatures. This powerful number reflects the significant and sustained concern felt across the patient and provider communities.
An Important Update for Those Who Switched to Wegovy
First and foremost, if you were required to switch to Wegovy and are doing well, that is fantastic! Both Wegovy and Zepbound are excellent medications, and the ultimate goal is for you to be on the treatment that works best for you.
However, for those of you who were required to switch and are unfortunately not tolerating Wegovy well, I want to share some encouraging news: you may now meet Caremark's criteria for an exception.
After you have given Wegovy a fair trial, if you experience an intolerance (such as severe nausea, etc.), your provider can now submit a new prior authorization request for Zepbound. They can document that you have now tried and failed Wegovy. We have already seen success with this exact approach: we've had patients who were required to switch, experienced intolerance to Wegovy, and we were then able to get them approved to return to tirzepatide (as Mounjaro).
If you are struggling on Wegovy, please do not lose hope. Speak with your healthcare provider. You have followed Caremark's rules, and if the preferred drug is not working for you, you have a strong clinical case for an exception.
For a reminder of the specific, counterintuitive steps your provider will need to take to request Mounjaro, you can review my previous update here or see my video interview below: https://www.change.org/p/stop-cvs-caremark-s-zepbound-ban-restore-coverage-of-the-superior-obesity-medication/u/33687140
New Interviews & Resources to Help You Advocate
To continue raising awareness, I've had the opportunity to discuss this situation in more detail on a couple of recent podcasts:
The Downsized (YouTube): I joined Christopher Durham again for a deep dive into navigating these insurance changes, covering the Mounjaro pathway and what to do if you lose access to your GLP-1 medication.
Watch the episode here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=3AiN9efwvD8
Docs Who Lift Podcast: For those interested in the "why" behind these issues, I spoke with Dr. Spencer Nadolsky and Dr. Karl Nadolsky about the PBM rebate dynamics, the broader trend of plans dropping AOM coverage, and our advocacy efforts.
Watch the episode here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=QxmJ5cJCPYM
A Note on Finding a Provider
I have received several messages from people seeking help. Please know that as a provider, I am licensed to see patients in New Hampshire (NH) and Massachusetts (MA). If you are in these states, you can find more information at TransitionSalem.com.
For everyone else, a fantastic resource for finding a qualified obesity medicine specialist near you is the Obesity Action Coalition provider directory: obesitycareproviders.com.
This journey is challenging, but your advocacy is making a difference. We are not just fighting for a medication; we are fighting for the principle that patients and their patients should decide the best course of treatment. Every signature, every share, and every story empowers our collective voice.
Thank you for your commitment.
Sincerely,
Joseph Zucchi, PA-C
Physician Associate & Clinical Supervisor
Transition Medical Weight Loss