Eli Lilly and Company has officially introduced Employer Connect, a new direct-to-employer platform designed to provide companies with access to its obesity medications. The initiative had been previewed late last year and is now moving forward with its official launch.
According to the company, the program is intended to give employers greater flexibility in choosing how they provide obesity treatment options to their workforce. Employer Connect will begin with more than 15 independent program administrators, allowing organizations to choose from multiple service models based on their healthcare strategy.
Coverage for GLP-1 medications remains a major challenge for employers, as demand for these treatments is rapidly increasing while their costs remain high. Through the new program, Lilly will supply its obesity medication Zepbound KwikPen to network pharmacies at a discounted price of $449.
However, the final amount paid by patients will depend on the employer’s cost-sharing structure and the specific administrator partner selected.
The company said the platform enables employers to provide coverage for Zepbound with lower out-of-pocket expenses for employees while still fitting within the company’s benefits budget and strategy.
Kevin Hern, senior vice president of Lilly Employer at Eli Lilly and Company, told Fierce Healthcare that the GLP-1 drug category presents unique challenges for healthcare systems due to its high demand and cost. He explained that Lilly’s consumer-focused platform Lilly Direct addresses access at the individual level, while Employer Connect expands that approach to the employer market at scale.
Hern noted that the initiative aims to address concerns that have kept some employers from offering coverage for these medications and to make it easier for them to provide access to employees who could benefit from the treatment.
The program also emphasizes flexibility through a broad range of administrative partners. For example, employers could choose Teladoc Health, which offers a comprehensive telehealth solution including GLP-1 access, or opt for specialized cardiometabolic care providers such as 9amHealth.
Other partners focus primarily on pharmacy services, including GoodRx, Cost Plus Drugs, and Waltz Health.
Hern added that Lilly evaluated dozens of potential partners before selecting those that aligned with the program’s goals, particularly emphasizing transparency and broad access. The final network includes a mix of newer startups and well-established companies that have long worked with employers to deliver healthcare services.