Ilant Health Introduces Direct Contracting for Employer Obesity Care

Transparent medication pricing and streamlined access strengthen Ilant’s holistic, evidence-based approach to obesity and cardiometabolic care.

Ilant Health today announced a major expansion of its comprehensive cardiometabolic care offering with a new direct contracting pathway that gives employers transparent and predictable pricing for Eli Lilly and Company’s (Lilly) obesity management medicines. Beginning in early 2026, employers partnering with Ilant Health will be able to access these medications at set price points, supported by fulfillment through a licensed mail-order pharmacy to ensure convenience, continuity, and a seamless experience for their members.

This initiative addresses one of the most significant barriers facing employers who aim to provide evidence-based obesity and cardiometabolic care: the unpredictable and often rapidly escalating cost of obesity medications. As demand for clinically validated obesity treatments continues to rise, employers have struggled with budget variability and uncertainty around long-term cost exposure. Ilant Health’s new direct pricing model is specifically designed to solve this challenge by offering clarity, stability, and transparency—key factors that enable sustainable adoption of obesity treatment benefits.

By collaborating with Lilly, a global leader in metabolic health innovation, Ilant Health is creating a more accessible pathway to obesity management medications, helping employers support the long-term health and wellbeing of their employees. The direct pricing structure reflects a shared commitment to reducing friction in access, improving care affordability, and aligning medication availability with proven clinical need. The partnership ultimately strengthens Ilant’s mission to deliver high-quality, whole-person care that not only improves clinical outcomes but also reduces total cost of care over time.

Ilant Health’s care model is purpose-built for the complexities of modern obesity treatment. Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, behavior, environment, and mental health. Recognizing this, Ilant has developed an integrated clinical framework that combines medical interventions, behavioral health support, nutrition guidance, and advanced analytics. This whole-person approach ensures that members receive the right treatment, at the right time, with the right level of support—leading to more sustainable results and improved long-term health outcomes.

At the core of this model is Ilant’s predictive analytics engine, which identifies individualized care needs and surfaces tailored recommendations. By leveraging data-driven insights, care teams can proactively address gaps, adjust treatment plans, and provide ongoing personalized support. This level of precision not only enhances the member experience but also helps employers manage total medical costs by preventing complications, reducing unnecessary spend, and improving adherence to best-practice clinical pathways.

The introduction of direct contracting for obesity management medicines further strengthens this model by giving employers greater visibility and control over one of the largest cost components in obesity care. It aligns financial incentives with clinical outcomes and allows employers to plan more effectively for long-term investment in employee health. With pricing clarity, organizations can confidently integrate obesity treatments into their benefits strategies, knowing they are offering a solution that is both effective and economically sustainable.

This new option will allow us to help employers improve the metabolic health and wellbeing of their population by providing a compelling avenue for access to obesity management medicines,” said Elina Onitskansky, Founder & CEO of Ilant Health. “Innovative employers have been looking for solutions that combine transparency, value, and high-quality care, and this approach delivers exactly that. It ensures members are able to access appropriate treatment and the comprehensive support needed to achieve meaningful and sustainable health outcomes.”

Onitskansky emphasized that obesity is not simply a matter of willpower or lifestyle choice; it is a chronic disease that requires evidence-based medical intervention. By creating a predictable and transparent cost structure, Ilant removes the uncertainty that often deters employers from expanding obesity treatment benefits. The result is a more equitable system in which individuals who would benefit most from medication can access it without facing administrative obstacles or inconsistent coverage policies.

The medications available through the direct contracting program will be dispensed via a licensed mail-order pharmacy. This fulfillment model enhances convenience for members, reduces fragmentation in care delivery, and supports consistent medication adherence—an essential factor in achieving successful outcomes. The streamlined experience ensures that members receive their medicines quickly and reliably, without navigating multiple vendors or reimbursement complexities.

Ilant Health’s holistic care framework goes beyond prescribing medications. It includes behavioral health services, nutrition support, lifestyle coaching, and regular clinical monitoring. Members are guided by experienced clinicians who specialize in obesity and metabolic health, ensuring that each individual’s unique needs, circumstances, and goals are addressed with empathy and expertise. This integrated approach not only enhances engagement but also drives meaningful improvements in chronic disease markers, weight management, and overall wellbeing.

The new direct pricing pathway also creates stronger alignment between employers and their workforce. With obesity and cardiometabolic conditions increasingly affecting productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare spending, employers are seeking solutions that address these challenges proactively. Ilant’s program helps organizations invest in the long-term health of their employees, ultimately supporting higher satisfaction, better retention, and improved workplace performance.

“Employers continue to tell us they want to better support their employees’ health but face real challenges in providing coverage for obesity management medicines,” said Kevin Hern, Senior Vice President, Lilly Employer, Lilly USA. “We’re excited to work with organizations that share our commitment to removing friction and streamlining options for employers to help expand access to obesity management medicines for people who need them.”

Hern noted that employers recognize obesity as a key driver of broader cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. Yet the cost of medications, coupled with inconsistent insurance policies, often creates a barrier to comprehensive care. By simplifying access and clarifying costs, the Ilant-Lilly collaboration helps bridge this gap and supports earlier and more effective intervention.

Ilant Health’s mission—to make holistic, evidence-based obesity care accessible and sustainable for all—continues to shape its partnerships, clinical programs, and technology investments. The introduction of transparent medication pricing is the latest step in building a modernized care framework that aligns clinical excellence with cost effectiveness. As employers increasingly seek value-driven strategies to manage chronic conditions within their populations, Ilant’s innovative model positions them to make impactful, long-term improvements in metabolic health.

With obesity rates rising across the United States, solutions that combine high-quality clinical care with accessible medication pathways are more essential than ever. Ilant Health’s new direct contracting option provides employers with a forward-looking strategy that balances affordability, transparency, and clinical rigor. By integrating predictable pricing with personalized care, Ilant supports meaningful and sustainable outcomes for individuals while helping organizations manage risk, control costs, and improve overall population health.

ABOUT ILANT HEALTH

Ilant Health is an obesity and cardiometabolic health company, focused on increasing access to treatment while reducing total cost of care for employers and payers through value-based care. Ilant Health provides the single front door for individuals with obesity, delivering end-to-end evidence-based solutions (bariatric surgery, medication, intense behavioral therapy) through a technology-enabled and analytics-driven obesity medicine practice

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