Cigna’s Evernorth unit has struck a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce costs for popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound. Currently, only about half of Cigna’s clients cover these drugs due to their high price. The new agreement aims to lower prices for employers and cap patient copays at \$200 per month.
Harold Carter, Evernorth’s senior VP of pharmacy relations, said the deal targets clients who don’t yet cover the drugs. Many existing clients offer copays as low as \$25. With the new cap, out-of-pocket costs will be less than half the cash price consumers pay buying directly from the drugmakers’ websites.
The deal also simplifies the prior authorization process and guarantees the same pricing at retail pharmacies or through Evernorth’s home delivery. Clients already covering these drugs may see cost reductions up to 20 percent.
Caremark recently named Novo’s Wegovy as its preferred weight loss drug, potentially limiting coverage for Lilly’s Zepbound. While Novo Nordisk declined to comment, Lilly said it will keep working to expand access to Zepbound.
Analysts estimate insurers have secured discounts between 30 and 50 percent off list prices. Wegovy’s list price is \$1,350 monthly but had an average net price of \$616 in March. Zepbound lists at about \$1,100 but nets around \$725.
These new deals come as Medicare prepares to negotiate lower prices for Wegovy and Ozempic starting in 2027 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Ben Ippolito, a health economist, explained Medicare pricing will pressure Eli Lilly to compete with lower-cost drugs in that market, potentially lowering prices more broadly.
Evernorth’s new pricing program will launch in the second half of 2025 as employers decide next year’s health plan coverage.
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