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About 36% of employers said they provide coverage of GLP-1s for both diabetes and weight loss, the same percentage as 2025 and up from 34% in 2024, the survey said.  View More

In this articleLLYNVONVOFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Photo illustration of a group of weight loss medications on a white background.Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.As new GLP-1 drugs enter the U.S. market and landmark Medicare coverage rolls out, one thing remains the same: Most employers still aren't covering those drugs for weight loss. Many health plans are actually finding ways around it."It's a battle to try to keep costs down," Justin Held, director of educational programs at the nonprofit organization International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, said in an interview. "It seems like they're not necessarily offering coverage for weight loss, but they're instead focusing on how to support the overall health of their workers."The findings are from a survey released Tuesday by the IFEBP, which includes more than 33,000 member companies or public institutions. It was conducted in June on almost 300 employer health plans in the U.S.Around 36% of employers said they provide coverage of GLP-1s for both diabetes and weight loss, the same percentage as 2025 and up from 34% in 2024, the survey said. Meanwhile, 60% of employers said they offer coverage for diabetes only, up from 55% in 2025 and 57% in 2024. Roughly 45% of plans said they cover GLP-1s for other approved conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease.The fact that employer coverage of weight loss is flat compared with last year is no surprise. Health plans have long balked at the high costs involved with covering GLP-1 drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, especially as demand soars in the U.S. To curb costs, plans have restricted coverage or stopped it entirely.Cost remains a primary driver in employer decisions around GLP-1 coverage, Held said. In 2026, respondents said the drugs accounted for 11.4% of annual claims, up from 6.9% in 2023. But employers are finding other ways to support workers who want to use those drugs. "The cost burden is so great that they're saying, there's other ways you can do this while still wanting to use those benefits to recruit and retain those folks," Held said. Around 27% of employers encourage employees to obtain GLP-1s through a direct-to-consumer platform, while 21% are pushing workers to use their FSA, HSA or integrated HRA dollars for the treatments. Held said as costs go up, it becomes a "great opportunity for employers to communicate the benefits that they're already offering in this space." For example, 74% of plans said they offer disease and chronic care management, 61% provide nutritional counseling, and another 61% offer bariatric surgery. Employers said they also cover benefits such as lifestyle modification programs, other non-GLP-1 drugs and medication-free interventions for weight loss. So, what will it take for more employers to adopt coverage of GLP-1s for obesity and foot the bill? What could move the needle, according to Held, is evidence that covering those drugs ultimately reduces costs in other areas. That might look like fewer knee replacements and bariatric surgeries or higher productivity and better wellness outcomes. "If those things are happening, then they might say it's worth it to offer full coverage for weight loss as well, because the impact on the other areas of our organization is so positive," he said. "But we just haven't seen that yet."While some studies and estimates suggest that the downstream savings of GLP-1 could offset the high costs to the healthcare system, there has yet to be any widespread measured proof of that based on real-world data. We may get a first glimpse of what savings are like after a newly launched 18-month program that is allowing Medicare to cover GLP-1s for obesity for the first time. Until then, around 9% of employers are considering adopting coverage of GLP-1s for obesity. We'll keep watching to see how that might change over time. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at a new email: annika.constantino@versantmedia.com. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Speaking at the 12th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2026 in the national capital, the minister highlighted that according to estimates, India has already reached (peak power demand of) 271 GW, and projections suggest the peak may rise even further this year. View More

New Delhi: India's peak power demand is set to hit a new high of 300 GW next year on the back of rapid expansion of data centres, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles, Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Wednesday. Speaking at the 12th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2026 in the national capital, the minister highlighted that according to estimates, India has already reached (peak power demand of) 271 GW, and projections suggest the peak may rise even further this year. India's peak power demand jumped to a record high of 270.82 GW in May 2026, according to power ministry data. India's available capacity has grown to 284 GW, which enables us to meet all types of demand, the minister said. But with the accelerating pace of electrification, we must prepare for 300 GW peak demand next year, he pointed out. Live Events "India's peak power demand is set to reach 300 gigawatts next year, driven by the rapid expansion of data centres, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles." As people's needs rise, energy storage becomes a national imperative, ensuring the power generated can be used whenever and wherever it is needed, he noted. Reflecting on India's energy journey, the minister said energy is constant, but today, the principle is evolving; power can be stored. While earlier, consumption happened instantly upon generation, now, through advanced storage and grid solutions, we can shift and utilise energy according to our needs, he stated. The minister further emphasised the country's commitment to environmental reforms and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, noting that non-fossil fuel capacity has soared from 81 GW to 291 GW in just over a decade. The minister also underscored the necessity of indigenisation and self-reliance. 'Vocal for Local' and 'Make in India' are crucial for the power sector, especially in solar cells, batteries, and containers, he noted. Touching on global collaborations, the minister referenced the 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' vision, highlighting India's efforts to build transnational green energy corridors, including a proposed 1,600-kilometre undersea cable to the UAE with an estimated cost of Rs 40,000 crore, and expansion plans for connections to Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Europe. He emphasised that as the world moves to green energy, India's leadership in storage, manufacturing, and R&D will benefit not just the nation, but the world. Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, Customized Energy Solutions, said the scale and speed of India's battery storage expansion are truly remarkable. This year alone, "we have seen an 11-fold jump in installed BESS capacity, he added. Organised by the India Energy Storage Alliance, the three-day event is expected to bring together over 200 exhibitors and more than 10,000 industry leaders for policy discussion, technical exchange, and announcements that will define India's clean energy transition . Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), said India is targeting around 160 GW of storage by 2035, with clear roadmaps for both battery and pumped hydro storage. India's energy storage sector stands at the heart of the nation's clean energy revolution, powered by innovation, partnership, and a shared commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and global leadership. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

National Aluminium Company and NLC India have signed a joint venture agreement. They will jointly establish a 1,080 MW thermal captive power plant in Odisha. This new plant will supply essential power to Nalco's aluminium smelter expansion project. The collaboration also aims to explore renewable energy and secure coal supply. This strategic partnership will enhance Nalco's power generation capabilities. View More

New Delhi: State-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd ( Nalco ) on Wednesday announced entering into a joint venture agreement with NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) to set up a 1,080 MW thermal captive power plant in Odisha. The joint venture-cum-shareholders' agreement (JVA) has been signed for the formation of a 50:50 joint venture company to develop a 4x270 MW (1,080 MW) thermal captive power plant in Anugola, Odisha, Nalco said in a regulatory filing. Read more: Nalco eyes 200-300 MW green power capacity backed by battery storage for low-carbon aluminium The plant will supply captive power to Nalco's 0.5 MTPA aluminium smelter expansion project. Nalco said the collaboration will also explore long-term arrangements for 200-250 MW of firm renewable energy (RE-RTC) and secure long-term coal supply agreements . Live Events The JV entity will "execute a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NALCO for 100 per cent offtake of power under Section 62 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and a Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) with NLCIL for coal at Coal India notified prices, the filing said. Read more: Nalco eyes foray into rare earths, magnesium, chromite amid critical minerals push Nalco is a 'Navratna' company under the Ministry of Mines. It is one of the country's largest bauxite, alumina, aluminium and power complex. Currently, the Centre owns 51.28 per cent equity share in Nalco. The company has its captive Panchpatmali bauxite mines for the pit-head alumina refinery at Damanjodi in Koraput district of Odisha and an aluminium smelter, captive power plant and captive coal mines in Anugola. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Discover key stocks to watch on July 12, including major developments in defense, infrastructure, and automotive sectors View More

The regulator said the company’s third-party power sales were permitted under the RfS after delays in the wind component View More

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has partnered with thyssenkrupp nucera India for local manufacturing. This collaboration focuses on alkaline electrolyser systems for green hydrogen projects. The agreement aims for phased indigenisation and local production of these critical components. BHEL's project execution capabilities for green hydrogen will be significantly strengthened. This initiative supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and the Make in India program. View More

New Delhi: State-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy Electricals on Tuesday said it has collaborated with thyssenkrupp nucera India for indigenisation and local manufacturing of alkaline electrolyser systems for green hydrogen projects . This strategic tie-up will enable phased indigenisation and local manufacturing of Alkaline electrolyser systems for green hydrogen projects in India, an exchange filing stated. Also read: Govt's 5% stake sale in BHEL subscribed 1.34 times The collaboration will further strengthen BHEL's project execution capabilities for green hydrogen projects in India, it added. This will also enhance BHEL's contribution to the National Green Hydrogen Mission and support the government's Make in India initiative, the company stated in the filing. Live Events According to the filing, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has signed a strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with thyssenkrup nucera India Private Limited for alkaline electrolyser systems for Green Hydrogen projects. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

India's fuel consumption fell approximately 3.7% in June from the previous month. Liquefied petroleum gas consumption saw a significant year-on-year decrease of over fourteen percent. Gasoline sales were down month-on-month but showed annual growth, while diesel consumption rose annually. Naphtha sales experienced a substantial year-on-year drop, and fuel oil usage also declined. Windfall taxes on certain fuel exports were adjusted by the government last month. View More

- India's fuel consumption in June fell about 3.7% from ​a month earlier to ​19.42 million metric tons, data from the Petroleum ​Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the oil ministry showed. * Fuel consumption eased from 20.18 million tons in May and was down 3.1% from a ‌year earlier. Also Read: India's May fuel consumption up 2.4%; LPG demand drops 20% amid Hormuz disruptions * ⁠Liquefied ⁠petroleum gas (LPG) consumption fell more than 14% from a year earlier to ​2.19 million tons. * India's imports of LPG from the U.S. were ​set to top 1 million tons in June, a record high, industry sources said last month, as New Delhi turned ​to costlier suppliers to offset disruption from ⁠the Middle ‌East. Live Events * Data showed gasoline sales were down ​3.2% from ​May but up 7.4% from a year earlier. ⁠Diesel consumption was up 6.2% from a year ​earlier but down 1.4% month-on-month. Also Read: El Nino threatens to fuel coal power surge in India, study says * Traders have sold gasoline produced by Indian refiner Nayara Energy to Russia, which is grappling with fuel shortages triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday. * Naphtha sales fell 42% ‌year-on-year, while bitumen consumption, used primarily in road construction, rose 14.7% from May but was down about ​18% on ​an annual basis. * ⁠Fuel oil usage fell about 20% from a month earlier. * India lowered windfall taxes on exports of diesel and aviation turbine ​fuel as global oil prices eased, while raising the duty on petrol exports, according to a government order last month. The new rates came into force on July 1. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

NTPC plans to develop nuclear power capacity using pressurised water reactor technology. Global consultants are invited to prepare tender documents and evaluate bids. This initiative follows the promulgation of the SHANTI Act, allowing private sector participation. NTPC aims to build thirty gigawatts of nuclear capacity on its own. The company is also exploring tie-ups with Rosatom and EDF for PWR projects. View More

New Delhi: NTPC plans to develop nuclear power capacity based on pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology and has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from global consultants to prepare tender documents, evaluate bids and provide contract-award support for large-capacity projects. The last date for submission of EoIs is August 5. This is the first such EoI issued by a company since the promulgation of the SHANTI Act , enacted last December. The law allows private-sector participation in nuclear power generation for the first time and limiting equipment suppliers' liability, as part of its goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. NTPC has announced plans to build 30 GW of this capacity on its own. It is already developing the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project through ASHVINI, a joint venture with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. Last year, NTPC invited EoIs from global firms for collaboration on indigenising PWR technology and establishing large-capacity nuclear power plants with a target capacity of around 15 GW. The fully developed technology options available for large nuclear units in India are primarily pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs)- the country's only indigenous nuclear technology currently in use, and PWRs- the dominant reactor technology globally. India's largest power producer has also signed non-disclosure agreements with Russia's Rosatom and France's EDF to explore tie-ups on large PWR projects, as reported by ET in January. However, ET had earlier reported NTPC was also evaluating the deployment of PHWR technology. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

CERC flags difficulties faced by Central Transmission Utility of India in granting connectivity to renewable energy developers View More

In an advisory to distribution companies, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said that during the peak power demand season, instances of load-shedding—suspending electricity supply in certain areas when demand exceeds availability—are being reported in several parts of the country. View More