Cigna Cuts GLP‑1 Coverage as Study Shows Knee Benefits
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- Cigna will stop covering GLP‑1 weight loss drugs (including Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound) in its employee health plan effective July 1, per a document circulated to employees on June 1.
- Employees currently using the drugs can pay cash through manufacturer sites or TrumpRx, but cash‑pay purchases will not count toward deductibles or spending thresholds.
- The study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that a three‑year course of GLP‑1 medications reduced the risk of knee‑replacement surgery by nearly 5 % at an eight‑year follow‑up, with a 1.4 % reduction after one year and 2.8 % after three years.
- Semaglutide (and tirzepatide) were linked to the greatest risk reduction for knee replacements when used for three years.
Why it matters: Employees lose insurance coverage for GLP‑1 drugs and must pay out‑of‑pocket, while the study links three‑year GLP‑1 use to a nearly 5 % lower knee‑replacement risk, implying a material reduction in surgeries and future orthopedic costs.
