Send us Fan Mail

Two people with similar health histories can get completely different answers about GLP-1 coverage at work, and the reason often has less to do with them than with decisions they never see. Annie Gazda, a registered nurse who leads clinical solutions at Vida Health, explains how employers decide whether to cover GLP-1s, why some are cutting them entirely while others keep paying, and how FDA labeling shapes who qualifies. She also shares what she calls responsible prescribing, and why the people who stop their medication because of side effects are the ones employers worry about most.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- Annie's path from the emergency department to digital health
- What a virtual care program like Vida does, and how it works alongside your primary care doctor
- Why so many people get a GLP-1 with almost no follow-up support
- A dinner party story about sarcopenia that says a lot about how GLP-1s are being prescribed
- "Right patient, right time, right treatment": Annie's take on responsible prescribing
- How FDA labeling and an employer's own claims data shape who qualifies
- The two camps of employers: those cutting GLP-1 coverage and those keeping it
- Why the investment falls apart when people stop because of side effects
- What members may be asked to track to keep their prescription
- Medical nutrition therapy and support for tapering off
- Where GLP-1 coverage could be headed as more medications reach the market

**SPONSORS**

Swanson Vitamins: Third-party tested supplements, from daily multivitamins to protein support. Save 20% on your next purchase at https://www.swansonvitamins.com with code GLP1Hub.

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Annie Gazda, RN, is a clinically trained healthcare leader with experience spanning direct patient care, clinical education, digital health, and healthcare technology. As Director of Clinical Solutions and Interim Head of Sales at Vida Health, she brings a practical perspective to responsible GLP-1 prescribing, emphasizing evidence-based care, patient-centered decision-making, and sustainable support beyond the prescription.

**CONNECT WITH ANNIE GAZDA**

Vida Health: https://www.vida.com/
Vida Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vida-health/

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Who gets coverage, and why
01:14 Welcome, Annie Gazda
01:32 From the ER to digital health
03:33 What Annie does at Vida
04:09 How Vida's care tiers work
05:30 The visit between visits
09:44 How Vida approaches GLP-1 medications
11:47 The dinner party where no one had heard of sarcopenia
13:02 Responsible prescribing: right patient, right time
13:40 Balancing access with the right fit
14:24 FDA labeling and how employers set eligibility
16:01 Why some employers drop GLP-1 coverage and others keep it
18:15 Why the investment fails when people stop
20:42 How comprehensive care keeps people on track
22:19 What members track to keep their prescription
25:30 Medical nutrition therapy
26:16 Where GLP-1 coverage goes next
28:08 Side effects and planning to be strong at 80
30:06 How to find Vida
30:59 Closing

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.