Money talks. Evernorth is putting up one hundred million dollars to push artificial intelligence into its specialty pharmacy operations by 2028. It’s a heavy investment, sure, but look at the bill.
Specialty drugs eat more than half of any health plan’s prescription budget. Employers say it’s closer to 60%, maybe more. Why? Partly because everyone wants those new weight loss meds. The GLP-1 wave isn’t stopping. People are lining up for prescriptions that actually work.
AI is enabling us to fundamentally reimagine why we support each patient.
Katya Andresen runs the data side at The Cigna Group, so she says the tech mixes real-time data with clinical expertise. The goal isn’t just speed, though they want that too. It’s about proactive care. Less paperwork for the teams. Faster answers for patients.
The rollout starts with Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. These folks handle complex chronic conditions. No walgreens aisles here. This is biologicals, injections, stuff you don’t pick up off a shelf. Evernorth claims 90% of their patients live close enough for next-day shipping. Ground shipping. Not FedEx overnight fancy stuff, but fast.
Is that really going to change everything?
Maybe not. But it reduces wait times. Matt Perlberg, who runs Evernorth’s pharmacy business, says patients need expert support when life gets hard. The “Pharmacy Forward” brand suggests they want to meet people where they are. Faster service. Personal touches.
The industry is shifting. Drug costs are rising. Insurance plans are getting squeezed. An AI tool that processes scripts quicker and keeps care teams focused on actual health outcomes seems like a smart bet. Whether it fixes the underlying cost issue is another question entirely. For now, Evernorth is moving fast.
See what sticks. 🏥
