In an era where access to effective obesity care remains mired in controversy over medication costs and payer reluctance, a promising model is gaining traction—and data is backing it up.
A new independent analysis conducted by actuarial firm Milliman reveals that FlyteHealth’s AI-enabled Comprehensive Obesity Care program, piloted in partnership with the State of Connecticut, yielded both high medication adherence and meaningful short-term cost avoidance within its first year.
A Real-World Test: Public Sector, Private Innovation
Faced with surging costs tied to GLP-1 coverage since 2020, Connecticut’s self-insured employee health plan took a bold step in 2023 by launching a pilot with FlyteHealth to better manage obesity treatment for eligible employees and retirees. The results: a projected $1.2 million in pharmaceutical cost avoidance and an 86% adherence rate among new GLP-1 users—figures that far surpass national benchmarks.
In typical commercial settings, just 32% of patients remain on GLP-1 therapy after one year. Worse, only 27% follow their prescribed dosing schedules. These statistics often lead payers to pull back on coverage. But FlyteHealth’s personalized, tech-enabled approach may offer a path forward that makes medical and fiscal sense.
Clinical Expertise Meets AI-Driven Personalization
FlyteHealth’s model blends decades of clinical experience with data intelligence. The care program is rooted in the methodology of obesity medicine expert Dr. Louis Aronne and powered by a patent-pending AI engine that tailors care plans based on individual biometric and behavioral data.
Patients receive virtual care from a multidisciplinary team—physicians, nurse practitioners, and dietitians—alongside medication management, lifestyle coaching, and digital support via wearables and connected devices.
The program’s precision prescribing approach uses BMI-based triage to match patients with the most appropriate treatments, reserving higher-cost medications for those with more severe obesity.
State Leaders Applaud Value-Driven Innovation
“This partnership with FlyteHealth is a clear example of how forward thinking, evidence-based innovation can improve people’s lives while also protecting taxpayer dollars,” said Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “The results show we can deliver high-quality care that’s both clinically effective and fiscally responsible.”
Cheryl Pegus, MD, MPH, FlyteHealth’s executive board chair, echoed that sentiment: “Employers and payers are rightly concerned about costs and access. FlyteHealth is committed to supporting those goals with proven, cost-effective solutions.”
Beyond Cost: Patient Outcomes and Long-Term Potential
While the Milliman study focused solely on pharmaceutical spending, FlyteHealth reports additional health improvements among participants, including:
- A 7.2% reduction in elevated HbA1c
- A 9.4% drop in blood glucose levels
- 13%–16% average weight loss over 12 months
The clinical team also addressed comorbidities such as sleep apnea, steatohepatitis, and cardiovascular disease—highlighting the comprehensive nature of the program.
FlyteHealth CEO Sloan Saunders emphasized that these results demonstrate more than momentary success: “Milliman’s independent analysis validates our model’s ability to achieve patient adherence, optimize resource use, and create meaningful savings. But this is just the start—we’re focused on long-term health and economic impacts.”
Looking Ahead
FlyteHealth plans to evaluate broader medical cost offsets and total cost-of-care reductions in future studies. As demand grows for solutions that bridge innovation with fiscal responsibility, the Connecticut pilot could serve as a national model for scalable, AI-informed obesity and cardiometabolic care.
To access the full Milliman report or learn more, visit www.flytehealth.com.
