Weight Loss Coverage Discrimination Suit Must End, Anthem Says

Elevance Health Inc. asked a federal court to ditch a proposed class action alleging that the insurer discriminated against obese members by designing a health plan that won’t pay for weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

The weight loss drug exclusion applies to every member who voluntarily chose the plan, regardless of whether they are obese or disabled, Elevance, formerly known as Anthem Inc., told the US District Court for the District of Maine Monday. Even if obesity is a federally recognized disability—a point Elevance disputes—the plan didn’t violate the Affordable Care Act’s anti-discrimination provision, or Section ...