Cost-Effective GLP-1s, Honest Agents Win in ACA Changes, and A Home Health Merger

Hey all,

happy hump day! It was interesting reading the new JAMA Health Forum study to find that Zepbound 2.5 mg has crossed the cost effectiveness threshold. Let's hope we can finally drag those GLP-1 prices down to international reference levels and ditch those ridiculous injectors that block patients from getting the personalized dosing / titration they actually need. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

(JAMA Health Forum) Obesity Meds’ Cost-Effectiveness

 A new analysis in JAMA Health Forum questions the cost-effectiveness of obesity drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy, suggesting they don’t meet traditional thresholds—yet the pricing data used may already be outdated. The debate highlights shifting cost targets and differing methodologies, as prior ICER assessments took a broader view of potential savings. As Brian Reid pointed out in Cost Curve, Zepbound’s cash pay price for 2.5mg has crossed that threshold at $4,188 per year. Full Article.

(BenefitsPRO) Stricter ACA Enrollment Rules May Benefit Rule-Following Agents

A new Trump administration proposal aims to tighten Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment by requiring applicants to pay outstanding premiums before getting new coverage and increasing verification for special enrollment periods. Experts argue these changes could stabilize the market by discouraging fraud and ensuring that agents and brokers operate more ethically, though critics see them as an attempt to weaken ACA exchanges. The reforms could lead to a more engaged customer base and improved market retention, benefiting both insurers and compliant agents. Full Article

(Modern Healthcare) DispatchHealth to Acquire Medically Home, Expanding Home-Based Healthcare

DispatchHealth has announced plans to acquire Medically Home, creating one of the largest home-based healthcare providers in the U.S., spanning 50 metropolitan markets across 23 states and D.C. The merger aims to integrate DispatchHealth’s direct care services with Medically Home’s hospital-at-home technology, enhancing access to high-acuity care and addressing healthcare system capacity challenges. The deal is expected to close mid-year, pending regulatory approval. Full Article.