UPDATED: 12:30 p.m. ET on May 2
Cigna is doubling down on its efforts to manage the challenges associated with GLP-1s through the launch of two new programs.
The first, called EnReachRx, is a new patient support program designed for pharmacies that are committed to providing enhanced clinical services alongside dispensing GLP-1 drugs. The program includes supports to better optimize medication dosage as well as to detect fraud, waste and abuse.
Cigna's Evernorth unit said in an announcement that pharmacies participating in EnReachRx will offer both 30-day and 90-day prescriptions for GLP-1s based on the patient's coverage. Patients will also be offered adherence monitoring, educational support and more as they take the medications.
"Pharmacists are in a unique position within the health care system to provide this support throughout each patient’s care journey," according to the announcement. "All participating pharmacies in EnReachRx will deliver this enhanced clinical support and will receive a professional service fee for doing so."
The new offering will be available next month, Chief Financial Officer Brian Evanko said on the insurer's earnings call on Friday. As part of EnReachRx, Evernorth will also launched EnGuide, a new specialized pharmacy for GLP-1s. The pharmacy will be staffed by clinicians with expertise in managing these drugs.
EnGuide will also link patients to copay assistance programs for which they may be eligible.
Evanko noted that one in ten Americans is set to be on a GLP-1 drug, but significant barriers remain in terms of affordability, access and clinical management.
He said that for the average employer that covers these products for weight loss, GLP-1s now equate to about 3% of their total healthcare costs. That will only continue to grow as these drugs gain new indications and are prescribed in more scenarios.
"The GLP-1 drug class is on pace to be the No. 1 drug trend driver for plans this year," Evanko said.
The announcement builds on work Cigna has already done through its EncircleRx product, which was launched under its Express Scripts unit in response to the challenges clients faced around the GLP-1 class. Part of that program is a financial guarantee that allows for greater predictability around the cost.
Evanko said that 9 million people are enrolled in EncircleRx.
"The combination of our pharmacy solutions further strengthens our position as a leader and innovator in this space by solving pharmacy, client and patient challenges," Evanko said.
Cigna reported $1.3 billion in profit for the first quarter of 2025, bucking the ongoing cost trend that dinged other companies in the insurance industry.
Its earnings performance surpassed Wall Street's expectations, according to Zacks Investment Research. By comparison, the company posted a $277 million loss in the prior year quarter.
Cigna also beat the Street on revenue, reporting $65.5 billion. That's up from the $57.3 billion that it brought in for Q1 2024.
Compared to its peers, the insurer faced less pressure around medical costs, reporting a medical loss ratio of 82.2%. While this was still elevated compared to a year ago, when the company posted an MLR of 79.9%, Cigna has a smaller footprint in the Medicare Advantage space than other major plans.
It also closed the sale of its Medicare business to Health Care Service Corporation in the middle of Q1, and as such, said medical costs were slightly higher than it anticipated.
"The HCSC transaction closed later than the company's financial planning assumptions, increasing the first quarter Cigna Healthcare [MLR] as the Medicare businesses operate at a higher [MLR] compared to the rest of the portfolio," the company wrote in its filing.
Elevated levels of utilization, particularly in MA, has been an ongoing trend for the large, national firms, who have seen higher costs in this space for more than a year. The trend is attributed in part to seniors finally securing elective procedures that were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cigna added that another factor in its MLR performance was higher-than-expected stop-loss costs, according to the earnings report.
Adjusted revenue at the Cigna Group's Evernorth division, which houses key businesses like the pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, was $53.7 billion in the first quarter, up 16% from Q1 2024. At the PBM specifically, Cigna said adjusted revenues were up 14% on the back of expanded relationships and new clients.
At Cigna Healthcare, meanwhile, adjusted revenue was $14.5 billion, up 9% year-over-year. Its total medical membership decreased by 6% to 18 million, reflecting the sale of its Medicare business.
Cigna said that with that transaction excluded, membership was "consistent" in comparison to the end of 2024.