Ochsner and Crux Forge New Path for Affordable GLP-1 Access

NEW ORLEANS, LA – January 07, 2026 – A groundbreaking partnership between Ochsner Connected Health and the new benefits platform Crux is set to tackle one of the most pressing challenges for American employers: the staggering cost of GLP-1 medications for obesity management. The collaboration, announced today, introduces a novel model that directly connects employers with pharmaceutical companies, aiming to make these transformative but expensive drugs both accessible and affordable, all while wrapped in a comprehensive clinical care program.

Ochsner Connected Health, the digital arm of the not-for-profit Ochsner Health system, will serve as the first cardiometabolic disease care provider on Crux's newly launched employee benefits platform. The joint solution promises to deliver clinically guided weight management that combines FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines with personalized lifestyle and behavioral support, offering a potential lifeline to businesses struggling to balance employee health needs with soaring pharmacy costs.

A Direct Challenge to the PBM Status Quo

At the heart of this new initiative is a direct disruption of the traditional pharmaceutical supply chain. Crux, which emerged from stealth mode in late 2025 with $6.5 million in pre-seed funding, operates on a model that circumvents the powerful and often opaque Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Instead of navigating the complex web of rebates and administrative fees that characterize the PBM system, Crux establishes direct relationships with drug manufacturers.

This allows the company to offer what it calls “pass-through pricing” to employers. Businesses that sign on to the platform pay only for the medications their employees use, with no setup, implementation, or recurring platform fees. The model is designed for maximum transparency, combining employer subsidies and employee contributions to lower out-of-pocket costs significantly. This approach directly addresses a major source of frustration for employers who have seen drug prices climb despite the supposed negotiating power of large PBMs.

“Employers are struggling to balance the potentially vast clinical impact of GLP-1 medications with the cost to provide them,” stated Dan Shields, CEO of Ochsner Digital Medicine, in the announcement. “By combining clinical excellence with affordability, we're delivering a solution that improves health outcomes and reduces costs for businesses nationwide.”

However, this disruptive model is not without potential hurdles. The PBM industry is deeply entrenched in the U.S. healthcare system, and efforts to bypass it could face resistance. Furthermore, direct-to-employer models place new responsibilities on partners to ensure regulatory compliance, maintain supply chain integrity, and verify medical necessity for prescriptions. Experts note that ensuring equitable access for all employees, including those who may be less digitally savvy or reliant on traditional pharmacies, will be a critical challenge for this emerging market to address.

Beyond the Pill: The Importance of Integrated Care

While the financial model is a key innovation, the partnership’s emphasis on comprehensive clinical care is what sets it apart from simple drug discount programs. Ochsner Digital Medicine provides the crucial “clinical wrapper” that experts agree is necessary for achieving long-term success with GLP-1 therapies. These medications, while effective for weight loss, are not a standalone solution.

The Ochsner program delivers evidence-based care for a range of cardiometabolic conditions, including obesity, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes. Members are paired with a team of licensed providers and health coaches who offer personalized support for behavioral and lifestyle changes. This remote program, available in all 50 states, works collaboratively with an employee’s existing primary care physician to ensure a seamless continuum of care.

This holistic approach targets not just the physiological aspects of appetite but also the underlying metabolic issues and behavioral patterns that contribute to chronic disease. By integrating medication with sustained lifestyle modification, the program aims to promote lasting health improvements rather than temporary weight loss. This focus on durable outcomes is critical for employers looking for a meaningful return on their healthcare investment, moving beyond simply covering the cost of a prescription to actively improving the health and well-being of their workforce.

An Emerging Strategy in the War for Talent

For employers, the partnership offers a strategic tool in an increasingly competitive landscape. The high demand for GLP-1 drugs has created a significant dilemma: offering coverage can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining talent, but the uncapped cost can wreak havoc on a company’s budget. Many employers have been forced to implement strict prior authorizations or exclude the drugs from their formularies altogether, leaving employees frustrated.

The Ochsner-Crux model presents a third option. By making these high-impact benefits affordable, companies can enhance their value proposition to current and prospective employees. Offering a benefit that directly addresses a major health concern like obesity demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being that can foster loyalty, reduce absenteeism, and boost productivity.

This trend is part of a broader shift in the healthcare benefits landscape. Other major pharmaceutical companies are reportedly exploring their own direct-to-employer or direct-to-consumer channels for GLP-1s, signaling a potential sea change in how drugs are priced and distributed. As these new models gain traction, they could force traditional players, including PBMs and health insurers, to adapt or risk being left behind. The success of this partnership will be closely watched as a test case for a more transparent and cost-effective future in employer-sponsored healthcare.