SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Omada Health, a leading virtual-first healthcare provider, announced an expansion of its GLP-1 companion solution, adding customized partner support for medication eligibility and expanded exercise programming that leverages its deep musculoskeletal (MSK) expertise.
With more than 106 million U.S. adults potentially eligible to take GLP-1s for weight management, Omada aims to optimize the long-term value of these medications. The high price of the drugs can result in substantial net new costs to health plans. Therefore, it’s no surprise that fewer than half of large employers (42%) currently cover GLP-1s for obesity, with another 19% saying they are considering it. Omada’s newly expanded, flexible system is designed to help employers, pharmacy benefit managers, and health plans create tailored and affordable coverage solutions. Specifically, Omada will work with its partners to match members with their eligibility requirements and provide data and reporting to ensure success while on the medication.
“We listen closely to our customers, and they’ve been asking for a solution that optimizes GLP-1 use from both a cost savings and outcomes perspective,” said Wei-Li Shao, president at Omada Health. “Providing a proven and scalable behavior change program with our enhanced GLP-1 Care Track can provide the engaging and effective care experience members need. And the new reporting capabilities can help buyers customize their future benefit design based on their population’s needs.”
The enhanced GLP-1 Care Track, designed for the duration of GLP-1 medication use and afterward, will support Omada’s full cardiometabolic suite, which includes prevention, diabetes and hypertension programs. It leverages behavioral support, weight monitoring, nutrition, medication management education, and tailored exercise and movement plans designed by Omada’s physical therapists to optimize muscle mass, and builds on updates to the Omada for Prevention program announced in May 2023. Omada will track the impact during and after medication to demonstrate how the programming helps members maximize weight loss and keep it off.
“The desired effect of GLP-1s is rapid weight loss, which includes loss of muscle mass. But many do not know that lower muscle mass slows the body’s metabolism, leading to weight regain after discontinuation. As an experienced MSK provider, Omada is uniquely positioned to fill the biggest gap in GLP-1 care: maintaining weight through targeted exercise and nutrition,” said Omada Health Chief Medical Officer Carolyn Bradner Jasik, MD. “After helping over one million people, Omada has a deep understanding of what’s required to keep weight off - careful monitoring, optimizing muscle mass, nutrition, and behavioral support.”
Omada’s multifaceted solution comes as projections estimate the GLP-1 market for weight management may reach $100B by 2030. Studies have demonstrated GLP-1s can help people with obesity lose as much as 15% of their body weight, but research also shows that stopping the medication without sustained behavior changes puts people at risk for weight regain. Omada’s hope is the planned updates could help employers as they consider how to provide a responsible, cost-effective way to offer GLP-1s that is also designed to optimize clinical outcomes for employees.
Find more about Omada Health’s approach to GLP-1 medications and coverage here.
About Omada Health:
Omada Health is a virtual-first healthcare provider that nurtures lifelong health, one day at a time. Omada care teams implement clinically-validated behavior change protocols for individuals living with diabetes, hypertension, prediabetes, weight health and musculoskeletal issues. With more than a decade of experience and data, and 27 peer-reviewed publications that showcase its clinical and economic results, Omada improves health outcomes and contains healthcare costs. Omada’s scope exceeds 1,900 customers, including health plans, health systems, and employers ranging in size from small businesses to Fortune 500s.
The foundation of Omada’s success is a strong, vibrant work culture, which helped earn the company the distinction of becoming an officially certified Great Place to Work. An industry leader, Omada is the first virtual provider to join the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Leadership Alliance, reflecting the aim to complement primary care providers for the benefit of members, and affirming its guarantee to every partner: Omada works different.
