Deloitte will stop covering GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and raise out-of-pocket healthcare costs for its roughly 181,000 US employees from January, according to an internal benefits guide seen by Business Insider.

The Big Four firm told staff the changes "reflect the hard trade-offs of today's cost environment" and cited a need "for shared responsibility in a few specific places where it's become untenable for Deloitte to carry the cost alone."

Alongside the loss of GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, employees will face higher deductibles and higher out-of-pocket maximums under most health plans. That means workers pay more both before coverage begins and after it kicks in.

What survives and what goes?

GLP-1 medication will remain covered when prescribed for diabetes and other covered medical conditions, the document said. Employees seeking weight-loss support will instead get access to a virtual lifestyle program called eMed, which includes coaching and a $125-per-prescription employer contribution.

That contribution is modest against market prices. List prices for common GLP-1s such as semaglutide and tirzepatide generally exceed $1,000, though direct-purchase programs like LillyDirect and government plans such as TrumpRx often cut costs sharply. TrumpRx, for instance, sells Ozempic-brand semaglutide injection pens for between $199 and $499.

A Deloitte spokesperson said the firm, like other large employers, has made select modifications where cost growth rates are no longer sustainable, and that the new weight-related support includes direct-from-manufacturer drug pricing. "Our financial commitment to our people and their families continues to grow," the spokesperson said.

The benefits guide applies to what Deloitte calls its "Core, Domain, and Enterprise professionals" — the majority of its traditional client-facing accountants, consultants, and technical specialists.

Deloitte is also expanding some coverage: it is improving long-term disability protection and adding free annual eye exams to its company-paid discount vision program.

Why are employers pulling back on GLP-1s?

Deloitte's move mirrors a broader squeeze on US employer health plans. A 2026 KFF health benefits survey found workers on family plans paid an average of $7,471 a year in premiums — a 9% rise from 2025. Counting employer contributions, total family premiums reached $28,303 in 2026, up roughly 5%.

Restricting GLP-1 eligibility has become a common cost-control lever. The drugs were developed for diabetes but are now widely used for obesity and related chronic conditions. Insurance broker Aon found GLP-1 use rose 75% in 2025, and that 39% of employers planned to reduce or restrict GLP-1 coverage in 2026.

PwC and Starbucks are among the employers that have pulled weight-loss GLP-1 coverage this year.

What else is changing at Deloitte?

The healthcare changes follow other benefit reductions for a narrower group of staff. In April, Business Insider reported that Deloitte's Center talent model — mostly internal-facing administrative roles — would see parental leave, annual PTO, and IVF funding reduced or eliminated as of January 1, 2027.

The cuts come amid slowing growth. Deloitte's Americas division was its slowest-growing region globally in the financial year ending May 31, 2026, with revenue up 3.2%, down from 7.1% growth a year earlier.

For US staff, the January changes translate into a simple equation: fewer covered drugs, higher deductibles, and a $125 contribution toward prescriptions that can list at more than $1,000.