Can Direct‑to‑Employer Models Redefine Access to Obesity Care?

As demand for GLP‑1 therapies continues to rise, employers are facing increasing pressure to balance affordability, access, and outcomes. What was once a benefits challenge has quickly become a core strategic issue — influencing talent retention, cost management, and employee experience.

Deanna Horner, SVP and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Waltz Health, an EVERSANA company, shares how direct‑to‑employer (DTE) models are reshaping how organizations approach high‑cost therapies.

Read the full interview in pharmaphorum

Access Is Becoming a Strategic Priority

Patient access, affordability, and speed‑to‑therapy emerged as critical themes. Employers are navigating rising specialty costs, fragmented systems, and increasing expectations from employees — all while managing long‑term ROI.

Access is no longer a downstream function. It is becoming a central lever in how employers design and deliver healthcare benefits.

A Shift Toward Direct‑to‑Employer Models

DTE models represent a fundamental shift from traditional, rebate‑driven systems. By enabling employers to act as direct purchasers, these models provide greater visibility into cost, improved forecasting, and the ability to align care delivery with outcomes.

At the same time, success depends heavily on integration, ensuring new models connect seamlessly with existing medical and pharmacy ecosystems.

Why Integration and Experience Matter

While affordability is a primary driver, the employee experience plays an equally important role. DTE models have the potential to simplify complex journeys, offering clearer pathways and more coordinated care.

However, without thoughtful design and clinical integration, they can also introduce friction. A seamless, end‑to‑end approach remains critical to delivering both better outcomes and sustainable cost management.

As adoption grows, DTE models are expected to influence how a wider range of specialty therapies are accessed and managed. The shift toward transparency, value‑based care, and integrated delivery models is likely to extend beyond obesity into other high‑cost therapeutic areas.

For employers and manufacturers alike, the opportunity lies in building models that balance access, clinical rigor, and long‑term value.

Learn more about Waltz Health’s direct‑to‑employer solutions