Cigna said that it will review available A1C lab values for people taking any oral anti-diabetic medications, and, if at the end of the year, A1C values have improved, the discounts Merck offers on Januvia and Janumet will increase.
In an effort to help improve medication adherence, Cigna will also review claims data for individuals with Cigna pharmacy benefits who are on Januvia or Janumet during that same time period to determine if these individuals are taking the medications as prescribed by their physicians. If they are, Merck will increase the discounts it offers Cigna on these medications even more. These savings can be shared in various ways with Cigna’s customers. Cigna said that it encouraged its customers to adopt medication adherence programs as an effective way to improve health and lower healthcare costs.
Both companies agreed that aligning all of the incentives behind improving the health of individuals is one of the most effective ways to achieve long-term health improvement.
Sethu Reddy, regional director of scientific affairs at Merck in the US, said: “Merck is pleased to partner with Cigna on this novel program to help encourage people with diabetes to achieve their blood sugar goals. We are confident in the value of both Januvia and Janumet, and the benefits they offer to the individuals that Cigna serves.”