Key Points
Wegovy and similar obesity drugs are hiring virtual healthcare providers like Teladoc (TDOC.N) to implement weight-loss management programs, a dozen consultants, pharmacy benefit managers, analysts, and providers told Reuters...
These programs may require diet and exercise before granting access to the medicines, and in some cases will become employees' sole covered option for medications like Wegovy and Eli Lillys (LLY.N) rival therapy Zepbound, which have list prices of more than $1,000 a month...
It suggested at least one to three months of lifestyle changes through programs from telehealth companies or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) before patients are prescribed the medicines, which would help them adopt long-term approaches to healthier nutrition and exercise and give them coaching and other support...
Step therapy, which first requires completion of a diet and exercise program and may limit the duration of the medicine's use, is the main service employers are seeking, according to three virtual healthcare providers...
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a health insurer with more than 5 million members, said next year it will offer employer clients an option for patients to sign up for Teladocs weight management program that involves six months of diet and exercise before patients can get Wegovy or Zepbound...
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