CVS Reinstates Zepbound Coverage and Introduces Lilly’s New Obesity Pill
CVS Health made a significant announcement on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The healthcare giant has decided to reinstate coverage of Eli Lilly’s highly successful weight-loss injection, Zepbound, and to include the company’s newly approved oral obesity medication, Foundayo, in its standard drug plans.
This decision represents a notable turnaround from the previous year when CVS Caremark discontinued Zepbound coverage, while keeping Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy as the preferred obesity treatment on its formularies. As of October 1, 2026, both Zepbound and Wegovy will be co-preferred options on CVS Caremark’s standard commercial formulary template, which caters to approximately 25 to 30 million Americans.
Foundayo will be added to the preferred list starting Monday, June 1, 2026. This move broadens access to Eli Lilly’s obesity treatment portfolio via one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers, which manages prescription coverage for nearly 90 million people across the United States.
Eligible commercially insured patients may be able to obtain these treatments for as little as $25 per month under the updated coverage terms. CVS anticipates that the expanded coverage will drive an additional 10% to 15% savings across the weight management category.
The announcement signifies that all three major U.S. pharmacy benefit managers now cover Lilly’s complete obesity medicine portfolio. Analysts view this as a significant competitive advantage. Following the announcement, Eli Lilly shares surged by as much as 2.8%.
“For too long, effective obesity treatment has been out of reach for the people who need it,” said Ilya Yuffa, Lilly’s executive vice president and president of Lilly USA.
Source: CNBC