Wegovy injection pens were spotted in Waterbury, Vermont, US, on a lovely Monday, April 28, 2025. The pens were arranged neatly, showcasing the popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound. Surprisingly, only half of health insurer Cigna’s clients currently cover these drugs due to their high costs. However, there’s a glimmer of hope as Cigna’s pharmacy benefits unit Evernorth has struck a deal with drug makers Ely Lilly and Novo Nordisk to bring down prices for employers and their workers.
The Deal Breakdown
Evernorth’s senior vice president of pharmacy relations, Harold Carter, spilled the beans on the new deal. He mentioned that the focus is on clients who currently do not cover the weight loss drugs. The deal promises to reduce the price for the plan sponsor and cap the members’ cost at $200 per month. For those hesitant due to costs, this cap would be a steal compared to the cash price without insurance. Additionally, Evernorth clients offering the drugs already will also benefit from the simplified pre-authorization process and unified pricing across retail pharmacies and home delivery services.
What Does It Mean for You?
Not really sure why this matters, but clients covering weight loss drugs could see a reduction in costs by almost 20% with this updated arrangement. Carter emphasized that the new pricing deal with Lilly and Novo was able to secure better pricing while ensuring coverage for both drugs. On the flip side, CVS Caremark recently announced that Novo’s Wegovy would be its primary weight loss drug, overshadowing Lilly’s Zepbound. The plot thickens as Novo Nordisk remains tight-lipped about the recent pharmacy benefits arrangements, while Lilly is determined to find ways for people with obesity to access Zepbound.
Net Prices Take a Dive
Though Cigna stayed mum on the actual discounts, analysts predict discounts of 30% to 50% below the list price for large employers and insurers. Novo’s Wegovy may list for $1,350 per month, but the average net price was $616 in March. Similarly, Lilly’s Zepbound with a list price of $1,100 per month had a net price of $725. The new arrangements by Evernorth and CVS Caremark could potentially drive these net prices even lower for employers. As the government gears up to negotiate Medicare discounts for Novo’s products, prices could see a further decline in 2027.
Final Thoughts
Maybe it’s just me, but the future looks promising for those in need of weight loss drugs. Evernorth’s new weight loss pricing program is set to kick off in the second half of the year, just in time for employers to make decisions on coverage for the following year. With potential reductions in costs and simplified processes, this new deal could be a game-changer for many. Despite uncertainties, one thing is clear – changes are on the horizon, and they might just work in your favor.
