GLP-1 medications have emerged as one of the most significant developments in weight management in recent years. As demand for these therapies continues to grow, health care stakeholders are increasingly focused on an important question: how to expand access while ensuring long-term affordability and sustainability.
Key Findings from the CVS Caremark-Employee Benefit News GLP-1 Study
Recent research conducted by CVS Caremark and Employee Benefit News (EBN) highlights both the growing demand for these medications and the challenges associated with expanding access. According to the survey, 77% of employers are concerned about the cost of GLP-1 therapies, while 80% have either already limited coverage for weight loss or are actively considering limits. At the same time, 77% of employers believe GLP-1 coverage will remain an important part of health care benefits, reflecting the growing role these therapies play in modern health care and benefits strategies.
These findings highlight an important opportunity for health care stakeholders: expanding access to innovative therapies while helping ensure they remain affordable and sustainable for the people who rely on them.
As interest in GLP-1 medications continues to grow, the conversation is increasingly shifting beyond medication alone. Sustainable weight management often requires a combination of clinical support, nutrition guidance, behavior change and ongoing engagement. Increasingly, CVS Health is exploring more comprehensive approaches that bring these elements together to help people achieve better outcomes and build healthier habits over time.
How CVS Caremark is Expanding GLP-1 Access and Affordability
CVS Caremark has focused on GLP-1 management strategies that pair medication access with personalized support. One example is the CVS Weight Management program, which combines personalized coaching, accountability and clinical guidance to help participants build healthier habits alongside treatment. Employers and health plans that adopted the program reported up to 26% lower spending on GLP-1 weight-management medications compared with those without the program. Participants achieved an average of more than 15% weight loss, while existing weight-management medication users nearly doubled their pre-program weight loss results. The program also delivered high participant satisfaction, demonstrating the value of combining medication with broader support and engagement.
CVS Caremark has also expanded options designed to improve access and affordability for GLP-1 therapies. This includes broader coverage options for weight management medications, alongside clinically guided strategies that combine utilization management, personalized clinical support and nutrition resources. The goal is to help ensure members receive appropriate care while supporting long-term health outcomes and affordability
What the Study Means for Long-Term Weight Management
The CVS Caremark-EBN survey findings suggest weight management is becoming a long-term priority across the health care landscape. Employers increasingly recognize the potential value of GLP-1 therapies but are also seeking solutions that help balance cost, access and outcomes. The opportunity is not simply to cover new medications, but to create strategies that help patients achieve lasting success.
As GLP-1 therapies continue to reshape health care, expanding access is only part of the equation. Long-term success depends on helping people achieve sustainable outcomes through a combination of medication, personalized support and clinical expertise. By bringing these elements together, health care organizations can help improve outcomes, support lasting behavior change and create a more sustainable approach to weight management.
