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What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

Get the blueprint for a comprehensive GLP-1 and weight management strategy that successfully balances cost-containment with member outcomes.

Watch the Webinar

What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

Get the blueprint for a comprehensive GLP-1 and weight management strategy that successfully balances cost-containment with member outcomes.

Watch the Webinar

What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

Get the blueprint for a comprehensive GLP-1 and weight management strategy that successfully balances cost-containment with member outcomes.

Watch the Webinar

Understand the Drivers

Discover what's driving up demand and costs.

Explore Savings Options

Learn how to save money while satisfying your members.

Assess Outcomes and Risks

Be informed about the various outcomes and risks.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT DRUG PATHWAY

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

The SmithRx Weight Management Program’s clinically-informed approach helps members access weight management medications, including low-list price GLP-1s. Our partnership with 9amHealth ensures members get the tools they need for successful weight management.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT DRUG PATHWAY

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT DRUG PATHWAY

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Participating plans save 50% on weight management drugs, glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s). (Compared to average industry costs post-rebate)

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Participating plans save 50% on weight management drugs, glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s). (Compared to average industry costs post-rebate)

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Participating plans save 50% on weight management drugs, glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s). (Compared to average industry costs post-rebate)

Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care

Our partnership with 9amHealth ensures clinically-appropriate GLP-1 use and financial sustainability. You’ll get access to low-list price GLP-1s paired with tailored lifestyle strategies for long-term success.

Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care

Proven Weight Loss Success

Members access personalized care and coaching from obesity specialists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians through 9amHealth.

Proven Weight Loss Success

Members access personalized care and coaching from obesity specialists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians through 9amHealth.

Proven Weight Loss Success

Members access personalized care and coaching from obesity specialists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians through 9amHealth.

GLP-1 Resources

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Employer Strategies

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Dive into the science behind GLP-1s, trends and demands employers are seeing for these drugs, and how you can ensure you’ve got the right building blocks for GLP-1 success.

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Employer Strategies

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Dive into the science behind GLP-1s, trends and demands employers are seeing for these drugs, and how you can ensure you’ve got the right building blocks for GLP-1 success.

date

Employer Strategies

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Dive into the science behind GLP-1s, trends and demands employers are seeing for these drugs, and how you can ensure you’ve got the right building blocks for GLP-1 success.

date

Member Experience

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

Discover the growing impact of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease on healthcare costs. Learn how GLP-1 treatments, such as Ozempic®, are reshaping pharmaceutical demand and benefit management. Find out what brokers and employers need to know to make informed healthcare plan decisions and manage costs effectively.

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Member Experience

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

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Member Experience

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

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Employer Strategies

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

GLP-1s manage diabetes and aid weight loss but are costly due to high demand. Employers face challenges balancing coverage and costs. Strategic planning and transparent partnerships can help manage these expenses effectively.

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Employer Strategies

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

date

Employer Strategies

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

date

Employer Strategies

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Dive into the science behind GLP-1s, trends and demands employers are seeing for these drugs, and how you can ensure you’ve got the right building blocks for GLP-1 success.

date

Member Experience

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

date

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Meet the Experts:
SmithRx Pharmacy Leadership Team

Alan Pannier, PharmD, MBA

SVP of Product Strategy

Alissa Johnson, PharmD, MBA, BCPS

Director of Clinical Strategy

Kafi Obuong, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCMAS

Lead, Clinical Review

Dustin Wagstaff, PharmD

Manager of Clinical Strategy

Tanuja Patel, PharmD

Lead Clinical Account Manager

Shelby Hafner, PharmD

Clinical Strategy Pharmacist

Webinar

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 at 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET

The GLP-1 Breakthrough: What it is, Why it Matters, and How to Drive Health Plan Savings

About the Webinar

A comprehensive weight management strategy is essential for employers looking to take control of your GLP-1 spend without sacrificing care. Pulling it off requires the right plan—and the right partners.

Get the blueprint for a program that successfully balances savings with member outcomes.

In this webinar, you’ll learn:

About the science behind GLP-1s—and the data around how they’re impacting employers
How thoughtfully structured weight management plans can balance costs with outcomes
What benefits our SmithRx program offers in collaboration with 9amHealth

Speakers

Alissa Johnson, PharmD, MBA, BCPS

Senior Director, Clinical Strategy, SmithRx

Avantika Waring, MD

Chief Medical Officer, 9amHealth

FAQ

Frequently Asked   Questions

What are GLP-1s?

Glucagon-like peptides-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) and Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide receptor agonists (GIP) are medications that mimic hormones naturally produced by the body. When referring to ‘GLP-1s', this includes GLP-1s and dual GLP-1s/GIPs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several GLP-1s to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

What are the growth drivers of GLP-1s?

GLP-1 therapies, first approved in 2005, have been part of the pharmacy landscape for two decades. Recently, their demand has surged due to their benefits and FDA approvals for type 2 diabetes, weight management, obstrutive sleep apnea, a type of liver disease (MASH: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) and reducing cardiovascular risks. GLP-1s are also being studied for treating various chronic diseases like heart failure, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Their future growth is expected to continue, driven by their efficacy and safety, the rising prevalence of diabetes and obesity, and new FDA- approved indications, likely making them a significant driver of employer plan sponsors' pharmacy benefits spending.

We know GLP-1s are popular, but how are employers and health plans companies responding to the demand?

Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG) reported1 that nearly 80% of health plans and employers respondents were moderately or very concerned about the affordability of GLP-1s. According to the same PSG report, 91% of health plans and employers currently cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes, while 33% cover them for obesity.

How are plan sponsors managing the costs of GLP-1s for obesity?

According to a study by PSG2, the top cost containment strategies are prior authorization, Body Mass Index (BMI) requirement, quantity limits, comorbid condition requirement, step therapy, and lifestyle modification program participation requirement.

What is the SmithRx Weight Management Program?

The Weight Management Program tackles rising costs in this category by providing you and your members access to low-list price GLP-1s for weight management, paired with a member tailored approach. This weight management program partners with 9amHealth, a virtual telehealth clinic. Their providers connect members to coaching and lifestyle support, and also may prescribe weight loss medications. The program's primary goal is to provide a clinical-based, step-wise approach to get weight management medications to qualifying members.

Does program participation require a clinical review?

Yes, the 9amHealth clinical review for GLP-1s is a holistic and long-term process designed for sustainable obesity care. Their expert Care Team—including obesity specialists, pharmacists, and nutritionists—provides a personalized approach that goes beyond just looking at BMI (Body Mass Index). The team considers members’ full health profile, medical history, and lab values to create a treatment plan tailored specifically for them. While GLP-1s are a treatment option for eligible members, 9amHealth first prioritizes a cost-effective, step-therapy approach. This means they'll focus on essential lifestyle and behavioral changes, along with low-cost generic medications, before prescribing a GLP-1. The goal is to provide clinically appropriate care that is both effective and sustainable for members’ long-term health.

What are some of the benefits for members with 9amHealth?

Unlimited on-demand support from care team via text or chat or schedule video visit
Individualized goal setting with support from entire care team (physician, nurse, dietitian, etc)
Option for Smart Weight Scale device that is a connected cellularly to measure body weight
Virtual medication counseling and adherence with ongoing optimization assessment
Tailored meal plans with recipes driven by conditions, allergies, and eating preferences

SmithRx is on a mission to reduce the complexity and costs of pharmacy benefits with radical transparency and cutting-edge technology.

Sales and Business

844-454-0123

sales@smithrx.com

Pharmacy and Provider Line

844-512-3030

info@smithrx.com

Member Help

844-454-5201

help@smithrx.com

M-F 8am - 9pm ET; Saturday 11am - 4pm ET

Company

About

News

Partners

Careers

Resources

Content Hub

Pharmacies

Physicians

Glossary

PBM Evaluation Guide

Connect

Recognition

Pharmacy Benefit

Management

02/01/2029

SmithRx is on a mission to reduce the complexity and costs of pharmacy benefits with radical transparency and cutting-edge technology.

Sales and Business

844-454-0123

sales@smithrx.com

Pharmacy and Provider Line

844-512-3030

info@smithrx.com

Member Help

844-454-5201

help@smithrx.com

M-F 8am - 9pm ET; Saturday 11am - 4pm ET

Company

About

News

Partners

Careers

Resources

Content Hub

Pharmacies

Physicians

Glossary

PBM Evaluation Guide

Connect

Recognition

Pharmacy Benefit

Management

02/01/2029

SmithRx is on a mission to reduce the complexity and costs of pharmacy benefits with radical transparency and cutting-edge technology.

Sales and Business

844-454-0123

sales@smithrx.com

Pharmacy and Provider Line

844-512-3030

info@smithrx.com

Member Help

844-454-5201

help@smithrx.com

M-F 8am - 9pm ET; Saturday 11am - 4pm ET

Recognition

Pharmacy Benefit

Management

02/01/2029

Company

Resources

Connect

What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

What Employers and Brokers Need to Know about GLP-1s

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

Take Control of Your GLP-1 Spend with Clinical Support

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Access Low List Price GLP-1s

Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care

Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care

Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care

Proven Weight Loss Success

Proven Weight Loss Success

Proven Weight Loss Success

GLP-1 Resources

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

What Brokers and Employers Need to Know About GLP-1s

Building a Cost and Care-Conscious GLP-1 Program

Common Cardiometabolic Diseases: Overview, Prevalence, and GLP-1 treatment Impact

Meet the Experts:SmithRx Pharmacy Leadership Team

The GLP-1 Breakthrough: What it is, Why it Matters, and How to Drive Health Plan Savings

Frequently Asked Questions

What are GLP-1s?

What are the growth drivers of GLP-1s?

We know GLP-1s are popular, but how are employers and health plans companies responding to the demand?

How are plan sponsors managing the costs of GLP-1s for obesity?

What is the SmithRx Weight Management Program?

Does program participation require a clinical review?

What are some of the benefits for members with 9amHealth?

Sales and Business

Pharmacy and Provider Line

Member Help

Company

Resources

Connect

Recognition

Sales and Business

Pharmacy and Provider Line

Member Help

Company

Resources

Connect

Recognition

Sales and Business

Pharmacy and Provider Line

Member Help

Recognition

Meet the Experts:
SmithRx Pharmacy Leadership Team

Frequently Asked   Questions