From The Spokesman-Review, "GLP1s weight-loss drugs may soon be covered by health insurance under new Washington court ruling" by Amanda Sullender:
The Washington statute “does not permit” a health insurance plan deciding “not to deal with a person’s disability for no reason other than because it had always done so,” wrote Judge Ian Birk in the May 4 ruling. Under Washington law, obesity is considered a disability.
The ruling is also not limited to weight-loss medications. Other blanket exclusions may be on the chopping block too. While the court case is about an exclusion of weight-loss medication, the ruling applies to any disability recognized by Washington.
According to Northwest Health Law Advocates director Emily Brice, the law could impact similar exclusions to hearing aids, mental health care and other areas.
“This ruling goes beyond obesity. Insurers have used broad exclusions to get out of providing coverage to many people with disabilities. This will impact every disabled person who has been denied care in Washington,” she said.