CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark, is bringing Omada Health on board to be a part of its weight management program, with a focus on access to GLP-1 drugs.
At the core of the partnership is Omada's specialized enhanced care track program for GLP-1 medications. The program aims to simplify the process for employers to provide coverage for those medications while ensuring they're used effectively.
The program promises to drive sustainable weight loss and better obesity management by combining GLP-1 medications with comprehensive clinical oversight and lifestyle modifications.
The collaboration represents Omada's second major partnership with a prominent pharmacy benefit manager, following its arrangement with Cigna's Express Scripts through their EncircleRx initiative.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
The program offers members services such as guided exercise plans, behavioral health support, personalized nutrition coaching and comprehensive educational materials.
Omada said its clinical team has received specialized training on the optimal use of GLP-1 medications and will impart effective strategies to patients to help them manage their weight and minimize potential side effects.
According to Omada President Wei-Li Shao, the program has demonstrated impressive outcomes, including significant weight loss among participants and encouraging data showing that patients are generally maintaining their weight loss four months after starting the program.
Looking ahead, Shao indicated that Omada's GLP-1 interventions will likely evolve toward a stronger focus on nutrition as they manage patients in the long term.
"It's going to really not only be a combination of nutrition and food, but how do we help them, from a behavioral health standpoint, address the food noise, the emotional eating cravings that come back," said Shao.
THE LARGER TREND
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have been used to treat diabetes and obesity, said a 2024 Health Affairs study. Beyond their effects on diabetes, these products have been shown to reduce body weight by more than 15% and improve other clinical outcomes, such as reducing the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and reducing symptoms of heart failure.
Wegovy and Zepbound are now approved for weight management in patients with either a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 or at least one obesity-related comorbidity, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, according to Health Affairs.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.