MADISON, Wis. — As employers and other plan sponsors grapple with rising demand for GLP-1 medications and the financial challenges associated with them, Navitus today launched GLP-1 Pathways, a comprehensive approach to managing these therapies across the full treatment journey.
The new offering includes DirectAccess, a direct-to-consumer option that provides eligible members access to GLP-1 medications for weight management outside the traditional pharmacy benefit. DirectAccess offers plan sponsors a new option to respond to member demand while providing greater predictability for plan costs.
This launch comes as interest in GLP-1 medications accelerates nationwide. Earlier this year, a Navitus Pulse Survey found that 68% of GLP-1 users said cost influenced their decision to start or continue treatment, and 60% said they knew someone who wanted to take a GLP-1 but could not afford it. The survey also found strong support for strategies that promote appropriate use and long-term affordability.
“GLP-1s represent one of the most significant recent developments in health care, but they also create difficult decisions for plan sponsors and members,” said Sharon Faust, chief pharmacy officer at Navitus Health Solutions. “Our clients are looking for ways to support access to these therapies while managing costs responsibly. At the same time, our members want more options for obtaining medications that can improve their health. GLP-1 Pathways and DirectAccess address both needs through a flexible, clinically driven approach.”
GLP-1 Pathways provides a flexible, end-to-end approach to managing GLP-1 access, costs and outcomes. It goes beyond the initial coverage decision by helping plan sponsors ensure appropriate access, proactively manage therapy and measure outcomes over time. This approach supports member success, promotes responsible cost management and provides the visibility needed to optimize GLP-1 strategies as the market evolves.
For organizations not yet ready to add weight management GLP-1 coverage to their pharmacy benefit, DirectAccess provides an additional option. The program offers eligible members an option to access direct-to-consumer pricing for GLP-1 medications for weight management while enabling predictable, fixed spending for plan sponsors.
GLP-1 Pathways and DirectAccess build on the longstanding approach Navitus takes to managing high-cost and rapidly evolving drug categories through evidence-based coverage criteria, clinical expertise and a commitment to balancing affordability with access.
“The national conversation has evolved beyond whether GLP-1s should be covered,” Faust said. “Today's questions are about how to ensure the right members receive the right therapy, how to support long-term success and how to create sustainable benefit strategies as demand grows. Our goal is to provide clarity, flexibility and confidence for clients while helping members access appropriate care.”
