Cigna announces new deal for copay caps on Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk weight loss drugs

In Waterbury, Vermont, US, Wegovy injection pens were displayed on Monday, April 28, 2025. Only 50% of Cigna’s clients currently cover the popular weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound due to their high costs. Evernorth, Cigna’s pharmacy benefits unit, has made an agreement with drug manufacturers Ely Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower prices for employers and their employees.

According to Harold Carter, Evernorth’s senior VP of pharmacy relations, this arrangement is aimed at clients not currently covering the drugs, reducing the cost for plan sponsors and capping members’ expenses at $200 per month. Evernorth’s clients offering the drugs currently have co-pays as low as $25 per month. With this new deal, employee out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $200, less than what consumers pay without insurance.

The agreement includes a simplified pre-authorization process for the drugs and consistent pricing across retail pharmacies and Evernorth’s home delivery service. Clients already covering weight loss drugs may also benefit from these services and discounts.

Although specific discount details were not disclosed, analysts suggest that large employers and insurers have received discounts ranging from 30% to 50% off the drugs’ list prices. The net prices for Wegovy and Zepbound have been reported to be significantly lower than the list prices.

The new pricing program by Evernorth will roll out in the latter half of the year, coinciding with employers’ decisions on coverage for the following year’s plans. The Medicare negotiations for discounts on Novo Nordisk’s products may further reduce prices in the future.

Eli Lilly expressed its commitment to finding solutions for people with obesity to access Zepbound. The updated arrangement with Novo Nordisk and Lilly will not only reduce costs for clients but also ensure continuous coverage for both weight loss drugs.