Latest news with #Cordani
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US is only country debating GLP-1 insurance coverage for weight loss: Cigna CEO Cordani
Cigna (CI) CEO David Cordani is not convinced of the benefits of GLP-1s for weight-loss patients and said the US is the only country among developed nations where insurance coverage is being debated. "We're the only country ... that [is having] this debate around covering [them] for weight management. If individuals in other countries want it for weight management, that's an out-of-pocket individual decision," Cordani said. He spoke at the Economic Club of D.C. Wednesday, discussing a number of issues, including GLP-1 benefits and coverage. "About 50% of large employers have chosen to cover it for weight management. As you go down, a smaller percentage of small employers do," Cordani said. "We would make more money if 100% of our employers covered 100% of their employees for GLP-1s," he added. But the company is worried about the unintended consequences of encouraging coverage of weight-loss drugs, including Eli Lilly's (LLY) Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Wegovy. The other GLP-1s are intended for diabetics and are covered 100%. Cigna, along with all other major insurers CVS (CVS) and UnitedHealthcare (UNH), also offers a weight-management program to help patients stay on course and benefit the most from the drugs' potential. Often, side effects are cited as a reason why patients stop taking the drug for weight loss, and some are only on it for short-term goals. This has resulted in unintended consequences that are costly. "There's up to 50% of individuals who go on to GLP-1 for weight management who stop taking the drug within 12 to 14 months for a variety of reasons, side effects — gastrointestinal, behavioral, or otherwise. That's a bad outcome," Cordani said. Telehealth companies have also offered support services for GLP-1 users, such as Omada and Included Health. The latter recently told Yahoo Finance that clients have shared that medical spending is skyrocketing from emergency room visits for digestive issues from GLP-1 users. In addition, 20% of one client's total pharmacy spend is now on GLP-1s, double what it was last year, Included Health said. The company said 30% of its clients are Fortune 100 companies. It's why, Cordani said, the weight management benefit is not currently worth the cost. Cardani said drug-induced weight loss also comes with a drop in muscle mass and that patients who go off the drug tend to regain fat, though not muscle mass. "The person 14 months later is less healthy than they were when they started the drug," Cordani said. Anjalee Khemlani is the senior health reporter at Yahoo Finance, covering all things pharma, insurance, care services, digital health, PBMs, and health policy and politics. That includes GLP-1s, of course. Follow Anjalee on social media platforms X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky @AnjKhem. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest health industry news and events impacting stock prices Sign in to access your portfolio
Boston Globe
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Hopedale drew up the play, and Patrick Madden delivered a layup to Division 5 boys' basketball final
Hopedale holds on for 57-56 win and is headed to Division 5 championship game! — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Madden pump faked, drove baseline and contorted his body for a difficult layup with 3.6 seconds left. One defensive stop later, Hopedale was headed to the state championship, where it will face top-seeded Pioneer Valley (24-0) at the Tsongas Center this weekend (TBD). 'That's a play we've gone to all year with me in the corner,' said Madden, who finished with 14 points, including Hopedale's final two baskets. 'They covered me tight all game. They closed out pretty well and from there I had to make a play.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Hopedale's Patrick Madden (13) converts the winner with 3.6 seconds left in regulation at Taunton High. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Advertisement Hopedale coach Tony Cordani was sweating it out on the sideline. 'My wife has one of those Fitbit watches that monitors heart rate. I think mine would have exploded,' he said. 'Our kids just made plays.' While the Blue Raiders (22-2) led almost the entire game, they could never create any separation. Their largest lead of the game, 9 points, came late in the third quarter, but was answered by a 12-5 Westport run fueled by Boudria, who finished with a game-high 27 points. 'I felt like I was playing chess,' Cordani said. '[Westport coach Scot Boudria] would throw something out and we'd try to figure out how to go against it . . . I feel like I'm wiped out now after going back and forth.' Hopedale got an important contribution from senior Brayden Lewis, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the third quarter, mostly as the recipient of strong interior passing as he cut baseline. 'He made some great plays,' Cordani said. 'He's another senior who came up big for us. The seniors have a way of stepping up at this point in the season.' Advertisement Junior JJ Douglas hit three 3-pointers for Hopedale, including one with 5:02 left that put the Blue Devils up 53-46 with 5:02 to play, but Boudria responded with 5 straight points for the Wildcats (17-7). Cordani coached Hopedale to the state championship game five years ago, but the coronavirus arrived before the title game against Abington, which was canceled. Current assistant coach Dan Liberatore was a senior on that team and Manning was a seventh-grader following the Blue Raiders' tournament run. 'It's definitely crazy being in the stands and watching them go all the way and not even be able to play,' Manning said. 'Five years later it's great to have that opportunity and hopefully we'll make the most of it.' Westport's Owen Boudria (4) blocks a shot by Hopedale's Brayden Lewis (32) during the first half. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Hopedale's Patrick Madden (13) scores during the second half of the Division 5 semifinal. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Westport's Kingston Cordeiro (24) scores during the first half of the Division 5 semifinal in Taunton. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Brendan Kurie can be reached at
