- Patients can save as much as $3600 per year versus direct-to-consumer
manufacturer programs, and out of pocket cost applies to their
annual deductible
- New offering helps employers meet growing demand for
FDA-approved weight loss medications at a lower net cost per
prescription while ensuring clinical safety for patients
ST
LOUIS, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
Evernorth, the health services division of The Cigna Group (NYSE:
CI) announced a first-of-its-kind pharmacy benefit offering that
make weight loss medications WEGOVY® and ZEPBOUND® more available
to patients. Through direct negotiations with the medications'
manufacturers, Evernorth has ensured that patients' monthly cost
will not exceed $200.
"We are reimagining pharmacy benefits to reduce costs and better
serve patients," said Adam Kautzner,
Pharm D, President of Evernorth Care Management and Express
Scripts. "This is what Express Scripts does better than anyone:
save Americans money on their prescriptions while helping them
achieve their health goals."
This initiative fills a critical need in the market by offering
savings, choice and predictability to both patients and health plan
sponsors.
Benefits for Patients:
- Lower Monthly Copays than Cash Programs: The monthly
copay for GLP-1 weight loss medicines will be limited
to no more than $200, which will have
the added benefit of counting towards the patient's annual
deductible.
- Meaningful Savings: Patients can save as much as
$3,600 per year compared to buying
these medications directly from manufacturers or through consumer
programs.
- Enhanced Safety and Efficacy: By accessing WEGOVY® or
ZEPBOUND® through Evernorth's pharmacy benefit, patients will
benefit from FDA-approved medications and Express Scripts' robust
safety checks designed to reduce negative or adverse drug
interactions.
- Simplified Approval and Access: The prior authorization
processes accompanying the new offering will be simplified and
automated for faster access.
- Choice of Pharmacies: Patients can select from a broad
network of local retail pharmacies or home delivery through
Evernorth's EnGuide Pharmacy, staffed by clinicians with
specialized knowledge in GLP-1s for enhanced support.
Benefits for Employers & Other Health Plan
Sponsors:
- Significant Cost Reduction: Health plan sponsors will
see a significant reduction in the net cost per prescription of
GLP-1 medications.
- Offering Patient Options: Health plan sponsors can
ensure that patients have access to the medication that works best
for them, without compromising affordability or clinical
safety.
"As advocates for the millions of people we serve, we drive
lower medication costs through negotiations with the pharmaceutical
manufacturers, and we're making it easier than ever for health plan
sponsors to cover GLP-1s for weight loss," said Harold Carter, PharmD, senior vice president of
trade relations at Express Scripts. "This is how we deliver on our
promise to put patients first - by making innovative medicines more
accessible, at a lower cost, while providing patients and
physicians choices in this fast-evolving market."
Evernorth has the most extensive suite of GLP-1
solutions available with this new addition, which also
includes:
- EncircleRx, a financial model with more than 9 million enrolled
lives that has saved health plans $200
million dollars since 2024.
- EnReachRx, a high-touch patient support clinical model for
dispensing GLP-1 prescription medications.
About Evernorth Health Services
Evernorth Health Services creates pharmacy, care, and benefits
solutions to improve health and increase vitality. We relentlessly
innovate to make the prediction, prevention, and treatment of
illness and disease more accessible to millions of people.
Evernorth capabilities are powered by our businesses, including
Express Scripts, Express Scripts® Pharmacy, Accredo, eviCore, and
MDLIVE, along with holistic Evernorth platforms and solutions that
move people and organizations forward. All Evernorth solutions are
serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of
Evernorth Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cigna Group
(NYSE: CI), or third-party partners. Learn more at
evernorth.com.
Media Contact:
Justine
Sessions
Justine.sessions@evernorth.com
860-810-6523
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SOURCE Evernorth
