GLP-1 Webinar for Employers and Brokers: Plan Strategy and Drug Coverage
Sustainable & Clinically Appropriate GLP-1s at Scale
SmithRx ensures employers and members access the lowest-cost pathways to medications with unmatched clarity, affordability, and care. Clear pricing. Full savings. People first.
and More Care Partners
Maximize Affordability & Health Outcomes
The SmithRx Weight Management Program’s clinically-informed approach helps members access weight management medications, including low-list price GLP-1s. Our flexible partnership model ensures members get the tools they need for successful weight management.
Access Low List Price GLP-1s
Participating plans save 50% on weight management drugs, such as GLP-1s. (Compared to average industry costs post-rebate)
Holistic, Clinically-Informed Care
Our best-of-breed partnerships ensure 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.
Proven Weight Loss Success
Members access personalized care and coaching from obesity specialists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians through our network of Care Partners.
SmithRx Pharmacy Leadership Team
Alan Pannier
PharmD, MBA
Chief Strategy Officer
Alissa Johnson
PharmD, MBA, BCPS
Senior Director of Clinical Strategy
Portia Gifford Moss
PharmD
Director of Clinical Review
Dustin Wagstaff
PharmD
Manager of Clinical Strategy
Tanuja Patel
PharmD
Lead Clinical Account Manager
Shelby Hafner
PharmD
Clinical Strategy Lead
GLP-1 Resources
The Impact of FDA-Approved Oral Wegovy on Sustainable Pharmacy Benefits With the FDA approval of the oral Wegovy pill, there are more GLP-1 therapy options. Discover how SmithRx balances innovative treatments with sustainable cost-control strategies.
How Employers Can Optimize Benefits in the Era of GLP-1s Employers can adapt benefit strategies to manage the rising costs and demand of GLP-1 drugs. Learn how SmithRx helps optimize pharmacy spend while supporting member health.
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.
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
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, obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic liver disease, as well as to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease–with more indications in the pipeline.
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, obstructive 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) reported that nearly 90% of health plans and employers respondents were moderately or very concerned about the affordability of GLP-1s. According to the same PSG report, 92% of health plans and employers currently cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes, while 39% 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?
SmithRx addresses the escalating costs of anti-obesity medications by providing plan sponsors and their members with access to Direct-to-Employer GLP-1 pricing paired with a customized, member-tailored care model. This program integrates with specialized virtual clinical providers who connect members to comprehensive coaching, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle support while evaluating clinical indications for medical necessity. By leveraging advanced clinical oversight and strict gatekeeping, the program enforces a rigorous, step-wise approach that prioritizes low-cost therapies and lifestyle management before deploying GLP-1 medications. This targeted strategy mitigates financial risk for the plan while ensuring qualifying members receive a clinically sound pathway to long-term health outcomes.
Does program participation require a clinical review?
The SmithRx Weight Management Program requires a mandatory clinical review to ensure GLP-1 therapies are utilized safely and appropriately. This comprehensive evaluation is performed directly by our digital health vendors, whose multi-disciplinary provider teams—including obesity specialists, pharmacists, and nutritionists—look beyond standard BMI metrics to review each member's full medical history and lab values. This integrated care team implements a strict, clinically driven treatment plan that mandates behavior and lifestyle modifications before prescribing medication. This seamless oversight ensures the plan sponsor incurs spend only when clinically necessary while establishing a sustainable pathway for effective, long-term health outcomes.