medZERO Launches medACCESS, a No-Cost GLP-1 Benefit for Employers

New offering extends medZERO's mission of affordable, accessible healthcare, with Savage Industries among the first employers to make it available to employees

PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- medZERO, a healthcare financial benefit focused on making care more accessible, affordable, and equitable, today announced the launch of medACCESS, an innovative turnkey benefit that gives employees access to low-cost patient-specific compounded GLP-1 medications at no cost to the employer. medACCESS was developed in direct response to employer feedback and by observing employee utilization patterns across medZERO's existing benefits.

Employers are increasingly caught between employee demand for GLP-1 access and the cost of providing effective medications for weight loss. 51% of employers now cite GLP-1 medications as the single largest driver of rising prescription drug costs, and list prices for these medications run $1,000 to $1,350 per month before insurance (sources: NFP; Institute for Clinical and Economic Review). At the same time, GLP-1 access has become a factor employees weigh when choosing where to work: 29% of employees say they would switch employers for access to GLP-1 benefits (source: NFP), just as a growing number of large employers and insurers are pulling back coverage due to rapidly rising costs. Starbucks recently announced it will end GLP-1 coverage for weight loss for its employees starting in October 2026 as it reassesses rising benefits costs, while Cigna announced it would end GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage in its own employee health plan in July 2026, citing increased availability of alternative options.

Beyond prescription costs, the broader economic impact of obesity is significant: national productivity losses attributable to obesity are estimated at $13 to $27 billion annually, and the annual U.S. medical cost of obesity is estimated at nearly $173 billion (sources: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health).

“The cost of covering effective weight-loss medications is rising almost as fast as employee demand for them. That kind of imbalance doesn’t fix itself. medACCESS puts these medications within reach of employees, with zero risk or cost to the employers. It’s a natural extension of medZERO’s mission to give people cost effective access to the resources they need to take care of their health,” said Craig Froude, CEO at medZERO. “Cost and access shouldn’t stand in the way of individuals and their families being able to access life-changing treatments.”

medACCESS is designed to require nothing from the employer beyond opting into offering it to their employees. medZERO manages enrollment, prescribing access, clinical support, and repayment, the same turnkey model medZERO already uses for its other financing products. Employees are connected with licensed U.S. physicians who evaluate, prescribe, and oversee their care, with medications fulfilled by FDA-regulated LegitScript-certified pharmacies and delivered directly to their door. There is no cost, no setup, and no added administrative work for HR or benefits teams.

Beyond zero cost, medACCESS is built to address challenges for both employers and employees. For employers, that means no premium, no PEPM, no cost-share, and no stop-loss exposure: medACCESS is fully employee-paid. Employers also receive deidentified utilization reporting, giving HR and benefits teams a line of sight into engagement and usage trends they don’t get when employees access GLP-1 medications through consumer-direct channels.

For employees, it means straightforward, all-in monthly pricing: one affordable rate that covers medication, clinical care, supplies, and convenient home delivery. No teaser rates, no membership fees, and no refill-window penalties. That price stays the same no matter the dose, so cost doesn’t rise as treatment progresses. That stands in clear contrast to many consumer-direct GLP-1 offerings, where advertised starting prices don't typically reflect separate membership fees or the higher costs that come with increasing dosages over time (source: CNBC, June 2026).

Employees can also choose to purchase a 3-, 6-, or 12-months bundle for additional savings of between $500 and $700 a year. Employees with a medZERO account can use their interest-free medZERO funds to help cover the cost, though standard payment options remain available as well.

Savage Industries, Easterseals of Louisiana, and Salt & Straw are among the first employers to add medACCESS to their medZERO benefits offering.

“At Savage, we view benefits as a strategic investment in our people and our business. Our partnership with medZERO helps us continue expanding access to meaningful, affordable health solutions that support team members’ overall well-being. Adding medACCESS reflects our commitment to innovative benefits that meet the evolving needs of our workforce while strengthening our ability to attract, retain, and support top talent,” said Laurel Timmins, VP, Talent Acquisition & Total Rewards at Savage.

medACCESS is available to employers as part of the medZERO offering or as a standalone benefit. Employers interested in adding medACCESS to their benefit offering, or associations, health plans, or other partners looking to add it to their portfolio, can learn more here.

About medZERO
medZERO is a leading provider of financial benefit solutions designed to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and equitable. Through the healthcare financial wellness benefit, employees gain on-demand access to funds to pay their out-of-pocket care costs with zero credit checks, zero interest, and zero fees. Repayment is made through ACH or payroll deduction, and for users with Health Savings Accounts, medZERO payments are pre-tax, allowing savings of up to 30%. medZERO works with any health plan, any provider, and any HSA. The company was founded by leaders in healthcare, wellness benefits, and financial services. For more information, visit www.medZERO.com.

Media Contact:
Craig Froude
pr@medzero.com

Craig Froude
medZERO
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