• Connecticut: Cigna has launched a new co-payment-only health plan called Clearity, which aims to increase transparency and predictability. The plan includes a tiered copay model, and employees will be able to choose from five different packages with different cost-sharing options. Each package has four in-network tiers and one out-of-network tier. The new plan also utilizes Cigna's in-house suite of AI tools to help enrollees make decisions about their care, including an AI assistant that can answer questions about benefits, coverage, and costs. "By combining our latest AI technology with simplified, transparent costs, we are helping employers offer innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of their workforce," said Eva Borden, chief product officer for Cigna Healthcare's U.S. employer business. "Clearity by Cigna Healthcare is more than a health plan—it's a simpler, more predictable way for customers to get the health care they need." (Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare, 11/18)
• Indiana: Eli Lilly has reached $1 trillion in value, making it the first publicly traded healthcare company to do so. Lilly is the second nontechnology company after Berkshire Hathaway to be valued at $1 trillion. The second most valuable healthcare company is Johnson & Johnson, which is worth roughly $500 billion. According to the New York Times, Lilly has gained over $900 billion in value since Dave Ricks took over as CEO in 2017. Lilly's recent success has largely been due to its blockbuster GLP-1 drug tirzepatide, which is branded as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. In the third quarter of this year alone, Mounjaro reported $6.52 billion in revenue, and Zepbound reported $3.59 billion in revenue. Lilly has also seen faster growth in the GLP-1 space compared to its primary competitor Novo Nordisk, which has experienced lagging sales and thousands of layoffs. (Robbins, New York Times, 11/21; Constantino/Pramuk, CNBC, 11/24)
• Minnesota: Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has joined the board of UnitedHealth Group* (UHG). "[Gottlieb] is an innovator who constantly advocates for a more integrated healthcare approach supported by the latest technology," said UHG CEO and board chair Stephen Hemsley. "We welcome his deep expertise and thought leadership as we strive to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone." Gottlieb served as FDA commissioner from 2017 to 2019 and has previously held roles at CMS and the Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee. He has since joined the boards of at least seven health tech and biopharmaceutical companies. "I look forward to working with UnitedHealth Group to help shape how medical breakthroughs are developed and made accessible to patients who may benefit from them," Gottlieb said. "I hope to leverage my experience to support providers in their delivery of care that's not only more innovative but also more affordable, and that improves outcomes for patients and communities." (Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare, 11/18; Pifer, Healthcare Dive, 11/19)

*Advisory Board is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare. All Advisory Board research, expert perspectives, and recommendations remain independent.