A new survey by Consumer Intelligence has revealed that a significant portion of UK adults are unsure whether popular weight-loss injections should be declared as pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel or health insurance. According to the research, 26% of respondents did not know how to classify medications such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, which have gained popularity as weight management treatments.
The survey, conducted in August 2025 with 999 adult participants, highlighted that these GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes management, have quickly become a preferred option for weight loss. Six percent of the population already reports using these injections, with NHS England only making them widely available in late 2023, underscoring their rapid adoption.
Uncertainty Around Weight-Loss Drugs and Medical Classification
The survey responses revealed widespread confusion about how to categorize these drugs. Twenty-eight percent of respondents viewed them as “last-resort medical interventions,” while 24% classified them as “medical treatments for health conditions.” Eleven percent thought of them as “cosmetic treatments,” 10% as “lifestyle support tools,” and 26% were unsure.
“This confusion isn’t just theoretical – it has serious consequences for millions of Britons purchasing travel and health insurance,” said Ian Hughes, CEO of Consumer Intelligence. “When a quarter of the population doesn’t know whether their medication counts as a pre-existing condition, we’re setting the stage for disputes over claims and coverage gaps. The Financial Ombudsman Service reported a 23% rise in travel insurance complaints in 2024, with medical disclosure disputes being a leading factor.”
Inconsistencies in Defining “Medical Treatment”
The research also pointed out inconsistencies in how people define “medical treatment.” While most participants (71%) associated it with treatments prescribed by a doctor and 72% linked it to managing a diagnosed condition, many failed to apply these criteria consistently. For instance, Botox, which is used both for cosmetic and medical purposes, was classified as a cosmetic treatment by 86% of respondents.
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