CVS Weight Management™ Program Improves Health Outcomes While Also Lowering Costs

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has released data from its CVS Weight Management™ program, showing participants achieved over 15% average weight loss. The program, now available to 3.5 million CVS Caremark plan members, combines one-on-one support from registered dietitians with personalized nutrition planning in a virtual setting.

Key findings reveal that CVS Caremark clients adopting the program spent up to 26% less on GLP-1 medications compared to non-adopting clients. The program demonstrated remarkable results: members who previously lost less than 1% body weight on anti-obesity medication achieved an average 11.7% weight loss after enrollment - a 13x increase. Additionally, those with moderate pre-program success reached an average 20% weight loss.

The program maintains a 92% satisfaction rate after six months, and notably, members who discontinued anti-obesity medication while maintaining lifestyle support retained 94% of their weight loss. These results are based on data from 265,000 members during 2023-2024.

Positive

• 26% reduction in GLP-1 medication costs for participating clients
• 15% average weight loss achieved by program participants
• 92% member satisfaction rate after six months
• 13x improvement in weight loss for previously unsuccessful members (from <1% to 11.7%)
• 94% weight loss retention after discontinuing medication
• Significant expansion to 3.5 million member access

Negative

• 70% of members were using weight management drugs without proper support before the program
• High base cost of GLP-1 drugs (thousands of dollars per year per member)

Insights

Healthcare Analyst

CVS Health's Weight Management program data reveals significant clinical and financial outcomes that strengthen the company's competitive position in the rapidly growing obesity treatment market. The program shows 15% average weight loss among participants, with particularly impressive results for existing GLP-1 users who nearly doubled their prior weight loss by adding the program's clinical support.

The cost reduction metrics are especially noteworthy - CVS Caremark clients adopting the program spent 26% less on GLP-1 medications compared to non-adopting clients. With GLP-1 drugs costing thousands annually per patient, this represents substantial savings for payers while potentially increasing CVS Health's value proposition and customer retention.

The program's rapid scaling to 3.5 million members demonstrates strong market demand and execution capability. The 92% member satisfaction rate indicates high retention potential. Most revealing is that 70% of members were previously using weight management drugs without lifestyle support, highlighting a significant care gap CVS is addressing while optimizing therapeutic outcomes and medication utilization.

The data showing members who discontinued medication maintained 94% of weight loss after six months suggests CVS's approach could potentially reduce long-term medication dependency, further containing costs while maintaining therapeutic benefits. This positions CVS advantageously in healthcare's shift toward value-based care models focused on sustainable outcomes rather than medication-only approaches.

Financial Analyst

This Weight Management program represents a strategic double-win for CVS Health's business model and financial outlook. First, by reducing client spending on GLP-1 medications by up to 26%, CVS demonstrates tangible cost containment that enhances its value proposition to payer clients in a highly competitive PBM marketplace. Second, the rapid scaling to 3.5 million members creates a new revenue stream while strengthening CVS Caremark's client relationships.

The program intelligently positions CVS at the intersection of two major market forces: the explosive growth in GLP-1 prescriptions and intensifying pressure on healthcare payers to manage these costs. By providing a solution that improves outcomes while reducing expenses, CVS creates a compelling narrative for both existing and prospective clients seeking to manage the financial impact of these costly medications.

The business implications extend beyond direct program revenues. The high satisfaction rate (92%) and impressive clinical outcomes suggest strong potential for increased customer loyalty across CVS's integrated healthcare services. This could drive enhanced medication adherence, higher front-store sales at retail locations, and increased utilization of CVS's broader clinical services.

Most significantly, the program supports CVS Health's long-term strategic transformation from traditional pharmacy retailer to comprehensive healthcare services provider. By demonstrating expertise in clinical program development, virtual care delivery, and cost management for a high-profile therapeutic category, CVS strengthens its competitive position against both traditional competitors and emerging healthcare disruptors.

Three and a Half Million Members of CVS Caremark's Clients Now Enjoy Access to Clinical Weight Loss Program With Proven Results, High Satisfaction

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) released compelling data today from the CVS Weight Management^TM  program in which participants achieved more than 15% weight loss on average, including existing anti-obesity medication users who succeeded in nearly doubling their pre-program weight loss while working with program clinicians on diet and lifestyle.¹ Before enrolling in the CVS Weight Management program, 70% of members were using a weight management drug without any lifestyle or nutrition support.¹

The initial results demonstrate improved weight loss and high program satisfaction for CVS Caremark clients' plan members trying a lifestyle-first approach and additional clinical effectiveness and cost savings for members receiving clinical support while taking weight management medications like GLP-1s.

The CVS Weight Management program provides one-on-one support from a dedicated registered dietitian in a virtual setting, including personalized nutrition planning based on health needs, social determinants of health, and cultural and individual preferences, empowering members to develop sustainable habits for achieving long-term weight loss.  At the direction of plan sponsors, the program can seamlessly integrate into a member's existing pharmacy benefit.

"The data are clear: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs work best when combined with nutrition, lifestyle support and proper dosing²," said Dr. Michelle Gourdine, Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "The CVS Weight Management program is a clinically rigorous solution that helps optimize the effectiveness of GLP-1s for weight loss for those that use them. It also supports members in making changes to improve weight and cardiometabolic health without medication to help offset or achieve success without the use of medication."

CVS Caremark Clients Experience Significant Cost Savings
CVS Caremark clients who adopted the CVS Weight Management program spent up to 26% less on GLP-1 medications for weight-loss, compared to those clients who did not adopt the program.¹ The program is also leaving a lasting impact, with 92% of participating plan members expressing satisfaction after six months in the program.¹ These findings are especially compelling when the list price of GLP-1 drugs, which are set by the drug manufacturers, can easily cost thousands of dollars per year per member.

As of February 1, 2025, the CVS Weight Management program is now available to more than 3.5 million CVS Caremark plan members. The influx in enrollment nods to proven results in a program that is optimizing the effectiveness of GLP-1 weight loss drugs while lowering overall plan pharmacy costs. 

In clinical trials, GLP-1 anti-obesity medications showed the best outcomes when drug therapy was combined with structured lifestyle support,² such as those embedded in the CVS Weight Management program.

Data Demonstrates Durable, Lifestyle-First Solutions for Sustainable Health Outcomes
Despite FDA prescription drug labeling recommendations to take GLP-1's in combination with diet and physical activity, before enrolling in the CVS Weight Management program, 70% of members were using a weight management drug without any lifestyle or nutrition support.¹ After completing the program, the clinical results for members are particularly striking:  

• Before program enrollment nearly 30% of members had lost less than 1 percent body weight on anti-obesity medication. These same members lost on average 11.7% of body weight after enrollment. That's 13x increase in total weight loss.¹
  
• The program accelerated weight-loss and delivered best-in-class results of average 20% weight loss for those with moderate success prior to enrollment.¹
  
• Members who chose to discontinue anti-obesity medication and retain lifestyle support maintained 94% of their weight loss after 6 months.¹  

Results are derived from a population of 265,000 members from 2023-2024. 

About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues — including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health — whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system — and their personal health care — by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

Media contact
Phil Blando
202-258-4978
Phillip.Blando@CVSHealth.com 

1 CVS Health Analytics, 2024. Weight Management Results. Data from August 2023 through September 2024. 265K Total Covered Lives, as of 9/30/24.

2 Wilding, J. P., et al  (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2032183

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SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

What percentage of cost savings did CVS Caremark clients achieve on GLP-1 medications through the Weight Management program?

CVS Caremark clients who adopted the Weight Management program spent up to 26% less on GLP-1 medications for weight loss compared to non-participating clients.

How many CVS Caremark members now have access to the Weight Management program as of February 2025?

As of February 1, 2025, more than 3.5 million CVS Caremark plan members have access to the Weight Management program.

What is the average weight loss achieved by participants in the CVS Weight Management program?

Participants achieved more than 15% weight loss on average in the CVS Weight Management program.

What percentage of weight loss did CVS program members maintain after discontinuing anti-obesity medication?

Members who discontinued anti-obesity medication while maintaining lifestyle support retained 94% of their weight loss after 6 months.

How much did the CVS Weight Management program improve results for members with minimal prior weight loss?

Members who previously lost less than 1% body weight on anti-obesity medication achieved an average 11.7% weight loss after enrollment, representing a 13x increase.