The Weight Management Pilot Program is open to up to 2,000 eligible applicants, including active employees, retirees, and their dependents. As of Nov. 14, 2018, the Division of State Group Insurance has received just over 500 applications.  Due to this low initial enrollment, the application period for the Department of Management Services’ Weight Management Pilot Program will be extended and will now close Nov. 30, 2018.

The Weight Management Pilot Program includes two central components. First, participants will be enrolled in a department-approved wellness program. This wellness program will be offered at no cost through the participant’s health plan. Each health plan will have their own specific wellness program, but they will all be based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Lifestyle Change program.

Second, starting Jan. 1, 2019, participants will have access to prescription drug coverage for all Federal Drug Administration-approved medications for chronic weight management. These drugs are not currently covered under our plans, but they will be covered for those participating in the pilot at the standard co-pay rates. The medications that will be covered by the pilot include Saxenda, Contrave, Belviq, Belviq XR, and Qsymia. Any prescription medications will need to be prescribed by a physician.

The application period will close on Nov. 30, 2018. The first step for those eligible and interested in participating in the pilot is to download the Physician Referral Form from the My Benefits website and have it completed and signed by their physician. The second step is to apply online and attach a PDF or JPEG of their completed Physician Referral Form with their completed application.

Applicant information will be confidential. The department is required to report information to the Florida Legislature by Dec. 15, 2019. Only the aggregate results of the participants will be reported on and shared. Information about individual participation will not be disclosed.

Please do not direct employees to contact People First as the Division of State Group Insurance is solely responsible for administering the pilot.

For more information about the pilot, please email weightmanagement@dms.myflorida.com.

Information about the pilot, including eligibility criteria and a link to the online application form, is available on the My Benefits website.