Evernorth to Expand Weight Management Program to include Wegovy

Rhea-AI Summary

Evernorth, part of Cigna, is expanding its weight management program to include Wegovy (semaglutide), a newly approved obesity treatment by the FDA. The program offers virtual consultations with MDLIVE physicians, providing patients easier access to medications and support. Key benefits include affordability via value-based arrangements and personalized health coaching. With obesity-related annual costs soaring to $45,514 per patient, this initiative aims to enhance patient adherence and reduce long-term health costs. This comprehensive strategy may improve health outcomes and help manage chronic conditions associated with obesity.

Positive

• Inclusion of Wegovy in the weight management program may improve treatment outcomes for patients with obesity.
• Access to MDLIVE physicians enhances patient convenience and support for medication adherence.
• Value-based reimbursement agreements can help reduce the financial burden on health plans.

Negative

• Wegovy's cost may pose a financial strain on health plans due to the high incidence of obesity in the U.S.
• Adherence challenges remain, with 20% to 30% of patients failing to refill prescriptions after the first fill.

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Evernorth, the fast-growing health services business of Cigna Corporation, is expanding its industry-first comprehensive weight management program to include Wegovy™ (semaglutide), a promising new therapy to conquer obesity, and to provide convenient, virtual care from MDLIVE physicians for eligible patients.

The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Wegovy, a medication for people with obesity who have not achieved success with behavior and lifestyle medications. The results from Wegovy's clinical trials demonstrate it can be an important pharmacological intervention in the treatment of obesity. However, weight management medications present affordability, access, and adherence challenges for patients and health plans. Adherence is a particular burden, with 20% to 30% of patients never refilling their prescriptions after their first fill.

Evernorth leveraged its expertise in this category to broaden the Weight Management Care Value (WMCV) program from Express Scripts, its pharmacy benefit manager, to include:

• Wegovy and other weight management medications, when clinically appropriate and prescribed by a physician
• Care from MDLIVE physicians and other Evernorth clinicians from the comfort of home
• Affordable and predictable access to medications via industry-leading value-based arrangements and in-network pharmacies
• Personalized support from health coaches, peer support groups, digital app-based monitoring, and tracking tools, including a connected scale

"Obesity is a costly, serious disease and has been challenging for employers and health plans to effectively treat affordably and sustainably," said Amy Bricker, president of Express Scripts. "Our Weight Management Care Value program brings together capabilities from across the Evernorth portfolio to address many of the challenges in effective obesity care while allowing us to be with our patients along every step of their weight management journey."

While promising, the cost of Wegovy combined with the number of Americans with obesity signals that this therapy could become financially burdensome for many health plans and payers. By adding it to the program under a value-based reimbursement agreement, Evernorth will help plans provide affordable and clinically appropriate access for patients. Obesity is associated with increases in annual medication costs of 77% compared with being of average weight, and commonly associated health conditions including diabetes, chronic back pain, and coronary heart disease account for $45,514 in direct and indirect costs per patient annually.

To help ensure that patients succeed, they will also have access to physicians through MDLIVE, the leading 24/7 virtual care delivery platform acquired by Evernorth earlier this year. If patients do not have an existing relationship with a doctor, or if they would prefer a virtual care option, they will have the ability to consult with an MDLIVE physician who can provide care, coaching, and prescribe appropriate weight loss medications, including Wegovy, to eligible patients when clinically appropriate.  

"Our comprehensive program helps ensure adherence to therapy, reduces discontinuation, and provides ongoing lifestyle and behavioral changes that may lead to prevention of other health conditions that can result from obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease," said Dr. John Wigneswaran, chief medical officer for Express Scripts. "Evernorth's comprehensive strategy, coupled with the promising early results of Wegovy, may help patients achieve sustainable weight loss and plans achieve tremendous long-term cost-savings."

Launched earlier this year, WMCV is the latest Express Scripts SafeGuardRx ^SM program, a value-based platform to drive down costs and improve health outcomes for payers and their members living with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In 2020, plans enrolled in SafeGuardRx^SM saved more than $6 billion.

About Evernorth

Evernorth is Cigna's high-performing health services portfolio. The Evernorth brand is anchored by Evernorth Health, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cigna Corporation, and the parent company of the Express Scripts, Accredo, eviCore and MDLIVE companies. Evernorth brings together and coordinates premier health services offerings to deliver innovative and flexible solutions for health plans, employers and government programs. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health or third-party partners. To learn more about Evernorth, visit https://www.Evernorth.com/.

Media Contact:

Justine Sessions
860-810-6523
media@evernorth.com

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SOURCE Evernorth

FAQ

What is Evernorth's weight management program expansion involving Wegovy?

Evernorth is expanding its weight management program to include Wegovy, approved for treating obesity, along with virtual consultations via MDLIVE.

How does the FDA approval of Wegovy impact Evernorth's services?

The FDA's approval of Wegovy allows Evernorth to incorporate it into their program, offering accessible obesity treatment options.

What are the financial implications of Wegovy for health plans and patients in the U.S.?

Wegovy could increase annual medication costs significantly, placing financial challenges on health plans and patients due to obesity's prevalence.

When was the weight management program by Evernorth launched?

The Weight Management Care Value program by Evernorth was launched earlier in 2021.

What is the expected impact of Evernorth's program on obesity-related health costs?

The program aims to improve patient adherence to therapy and reduce obesity-related health costs for plans by preventing associated conditions.