CVS Health's Caremark Expands Insurance Coverage for Wegovy with New Copay Program

CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager Caremark has announced a $200 copay program for Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy, aiming to expand insurance coverage and lower costs for health plans starting in 2026. This move prioritizes Wegovy over Eli Lilly's Zepbound and could generate multibillion-dollar savings by using negotiated rebates and pricing strategies to benefit both patients and insurers. The new program addresses rising drug costs and highlights CVS Health's influence in shaping access to high-demand therapies across the pharmacy and insurance landscape.

CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager Caremark has announced a $200 copay program for Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy, set to expand insurance coverage and lower costs for health plans starting in 2026. The initiative prioritizes Wegovy over Eli Lilly's Zepbound, aiming to generate significant savings through negotiated rebates and pricing strategies. This move underscores CVS Health's influence in shaping access to high-demand therapies across the pharmacy and insurance landscape.

The new program is designed to address rising drug costs and improve patient access to Wegovy, which has been shown to be effective in managing obesity. Joshua Fredell, a senior vice president at Caremark, stated that the updated pricing and rebates negotiated with drug companies could save health plans $4.5 billion in 2026, equating to approximately $138 per patient Market Chatter: CVS Health Introduces $200 Copay to Broaden Access to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy^[1]. This strategic move by CVS Health is expected to benefit both patients and insurers by reducing the financial burden associated with weight-loss medications.

CVS Health's preference for Wegovy over Zepbound highlights the competitive dynamics within the weight-loss drug market. The decision to focus on Novo Nordisk's product reflects the company's efforts to secure better pricing and enhance client savings. The market reaction to this announcement was positive, with shares of CVS rising 2.2% and Novo Nordisk gaining 6.5% in recent trading Market Chatter: CVS Health Introduces $200 Copay to Broaden Access to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy^[1]. Eli Lilly's stock also saw an increase of 8.5% Market Chatter: CVS Health Introduces $200 Copay to Broaden Access to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy^[1].

The move by CVS Health comes after an agreement with Novo Nordisk in May, where Wegovy was preferred over Zepbound, challenging the high cost of weight-loss drugs and prompting many insurers to limit coverage CVS launches enhanced insurance plan with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy^[2]. This latest announcement signals a continued trend of strategic partnerships and pricing negotiations aimed at improving access to essential therapies while managing costs.