CVS Health is set to start offering $29 appointments for adults seeking weight-loss drug appointments for medicines including Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Zepbound.
The pharmacy giant announced $49 MinuteClinic virtual visits for GLP-1 therapy in June but has now further reduced the price.
The new offering, announced Wednesday, allows Americans to make an online MinuteClinic appointment with a licensed clinician who can prescribe GLP-1 therapy where clinically appropriate.
CVS called it a “revamp” of its weight loss management program with an aim of making it easier for adults to access GLP-1 therapy. The appointments are available across the United States in accordance with state-level regulations and the program is designed for self-paying adults ages 18 to 64 who intend to pay out of pocket for clinical weight loss services.
The pharmacy giant unveiled the new initiative as it raised its annual profit forecast to reflect a better-than-expected second quarter, marked by a more profitable mix of drugs in its pharmacy business and bonus payments for its highly rated government health plans.
The company forecast 2026 adjusted profit per share in the range of $7.90 to $8.10 compared to prior expectations of $7.30 to $7.50. Analysts expect full-year earnings per share of $7.45, according to data compiled by LSEG.
On a quarterly basis, CVS, which operates a retail pharmacy, an insurer and a pharmacy benefits manager, topped analysts’ earnings per share estimates of $1.85, recording adjusted second-quarter profit of $2.58 per share.
The financial report marks CVS’ sixth consecutive quarterly beat of Wall Street estimates and reflects progress in restoring investor confidence, particularly in its Aetna insurance business, where it had missed targets for several quarters in 2024.
Aetna reported a quarterly medical loss ratio, or the percentage of premiums spent on medical care, of 87.4% from 89.9% a year ago, compared to estimates of 90.03%.
“We’ve continued to make progress on our multi-year margin recovery in Aetna, and this has been boosted by our multi-year industry-leading Star ratings, a measurement of member outcomes and experience,” a spokesperson for CVS Health said.
In the Medicare program for adults aged 65 and older, the government rewards plans with high ratings, called Star ratings, with bonus payments.
CVS increased operating profits at the company’s health services unit, which also includes clinics, by 10% to $1.73 billion from $1.58 billion, driven by changes to how the company operates its Oak Street primary care business.
The company this year said it decided to slow expansion plans for Oak Street, which provides services to older adults, and plans to close 16 underperforming locations.
CVS first raised its guidance this year after beating first-quarter estimates and controlling medical costs. The company has said medical costs in its Aetna health insurance business are above historical levels.
The results from the company were broadly in line with rival UnitedHealthUNH.N. Its peer lifted its forecast in July on improved medical cost controls, raising the bar for health insurers this earnings season.
Health insurers have faced persistently high costs for the last three years due to increased use of healthcare services across the government-backed plans. They have been raising prices, cutting benefits and pulling less profitable plans from the market.
CVS said that while it was raising its outlook for the year, it remained cautious in light of continued elevated cost trends and the potential for a difficult macroeconomic environment.
Revenue on a quarterly basis rose to $106.1 billion from $98.9 billion, compared to expectations of $100.11 billion.
