• California: GoodRx has launched a new program called GoodRx Employer Direct, which aims to help employers offer their employees branded medications at lower costs, including GLP-1s. Through the program, employers can select branded medications and subsidize their cost for the cash pay price available through GoodRx. Employers using the program can also access GoodRx's telemedicine solutions, which combine clinical care with prescription fulfillment.  "Employers are under mounting pressure to do more with less as healthcare costs climb and employees shoulder greater out-of-pocket expenses," said Wendy Barnes, president and CEO of GoodRx. "Employer Direct is built to meet that moment. It closes critical coverage gaps, expands access to high-impact therapies, and delivers transparent, predictable pricing — without layering on the complexity and opacity of the traditional rebate-driven system." Currently, GoodRx offers around 100 categories of medications in the program, with GLP-1s being the most popular among the early adopters. (Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare, 2/24; GoodRx press release, 2/24)
• Illinois: GE Healthcare has won a $35 million expansion to its contract with the U.S. government to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled ultrasound technology for trauma care. In 2023, GE Healthcare partnered with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop tools to help diagnose patients in mass casualty incidents. This new agreement expands on that project. Under the expanded agreement, GE Healthcare will develop more detailed assessments of lung pathologies, improve detection of intra-abdominal injuries, and improve the reliability and usability of point-of-case ultrasound technologies in demanding environments. According to MedTech Dive, GE Healthcare's deals with BARDA are part of the company's broader push into AI. Over the last two years, GE Healthcare has acquired several AI-related healthcare companies, including Intelerad for $2.3 billion. "These are the types of deals that we think make a lot of sense for the company relative to a strategic fit for us, the enablement of artificial intelligence to be deployed at an enterprise level, both inpatient and outpatient," said GE Healthcare CEO Peter Arduini. (Taylor, MedTech Dive, 2/18)
• Maryland: FDA has approved a new gastric balloon system from Allurion Technologies, a swallowable weight-loss device that does not require surgery, endoscopy, or anesthesia. During a visit with a physician, patients will swallow a capsule with the system, and when it enters the stomach, it is filled with fluid. The balloon will remain in the stomach for four months before passing from the stomach naturally. Patients can also take a second capsule two months after ingesting the first. According to Allurion leaders, the capsule offers patients a time-limited alternative to GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery. So far, over 200,000 patients outside of the United States have used the capsule, and its benefits are supported by more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. Reported outcomes show that patients experience a 14% loss of their total body weight after one cycle and over 20% loss after two cycles. Currently, the device is approved for adults with a body mass index between 30 and 40 and could potentially expand access to treatment for roughly 80 million Americans with obesity. (Jeffries, Becker's Hospital Review, 2/24)

These ready-to-use slides detail the current trends and major priorities in the employer-sponsored insurance market. The materials are based on Advisory Board conversations with health plan leaders, benefits brokers and consultants, and — more importantly — employer health benefits and HR leaders. Use these slides to guide your conversations about evolving trends in the employer-sponsored insurance market.