Teladoc Health has entered into a pharmacy integration agreement with Eli Lilly's LillyDirect pharmacy partner, Gifthealth, which is intended to help streamline access to Zepbound medication for members enrolled in the Comprehensive Weight Care Program.
The move is meant to provide safer and more seamless access to GLP-1 medications for members without insurance coverage.
LillyDirect is Eli Lilly and Company's direct-to-consumer digital healthcare platform. Eligible Teladoc Health members, if prescribed Zepbound by their provider for an on-label indication, can have single-use vials of the medication delivered to their home.
Teladoc Health's Comprehensive Weight Care and Primary360 teams will have full visibility into each stage of the process, from dispensing to shipping to delivery to refills, Teladoc said.
The estimated out-of-pocket cost for Zepbound per month is $1,060, according to Sesame Care.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
In addition to access, members enrolled in the weight care program will have support from licensed clinicians trained in obesity medicine, as well as registered dietitians and health coaches, Teladoc said.
Members will receive a connected digital scale, personalized lifestyle coaching, nutrition counseling, mental health support and behavior change resources to help them manage and maintain a healthy weight.
Teladoc said its end-to-end programs "drive high levels of health engagement" and sustained outcomes for members taking GLP-1 medications.
"We provide the integrated support necessary for patient safety and sustainable health outcomes," said Kelly Bliss, president, U.S. Group Health at Teladoc. "By integrating with LillyDirect, we are reducing barriers to high-quality care and helping our members afford transformative FDA-approved treatments while avoiding the potential risks of compounded medications recently offered by others."
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 and 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.