The eMed Weight Management Program enables Tulane to support employees and eligible dependents (18+) with a comprehensive weight management solution. The program provides access to GLP-1/GIP weight loss medications through the following process:

1. The first step is to sign up for the program. Please note: participants must be age 18 or older and enrolled in a Tulane employer-sponsored medical plan. You will receive and complete an onboarding kit, which includes a blood draw.
2. If deemed clinically eligible for the program, you will be issued a prescription. (If you are deemed clinically ineligible, you will receive an email letting you know.)
3. You will receive the medication directly to your provided address, fulfilled via mail order pharmacy.
4. You will begin weekly check-ins by logging your weight and medication dosage.
5. When a refill is needed, you will connect with a clinician through the app, who coordinates the prescription renewal and delivery to you
6. Every six months, you will receive a follow-up blood kit to monitor changes in your health metrics over time.

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To be eligible for the Tulane Weight Management Program by eMed, you must be age 18 or older and enrolled in a Tulane employer-sponsored medical plan. Additional clinical eligibility criteria, as defined by the FDA, also apply.

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GLP-1/GIP is a hormone that the small intestine makes. It has several roles, including:

• Triggering insulin release from the pancreas: Insulin is an essential hormone that allows the body to use the food eaten for energy. It lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. If there is not enough insulin, blood sugar increases, leading to diabetes.
• Blocking glucagon secretion: Glucagon is a hormone that the body uses to raise blood sugar levels when necessary. So GLP-1/GIP prevents more glucose from going into the bloodstream.
• Slowing stomach emptying: Slower digestion means that the body releases less glucose (sugar) from the food eaten into the bloodstream.
• Increasing how full someone feels after eating (satiety): GLP-1/GIP affects areas of the brain that process hunger and satiety.

GLP-1/GIP agonist medications work by mimicking this hormone. In medication terms, an agonist is a manufactured substance that attaches to a cell receptor and causes the same action as the naturally occurring substance. In other words, GLP-1/GIP medications bind to GLP-1/GIP receptors to trigger the effects (or roles) of the GLP-1/GIP hormone. The higher the dose of the GLP-1/GIP agonist, the more extreme the effects. The satiety effect of GLP-1 agonists reduces food intake, appetite and hunger. These combined effects often result in weight loss. Individuals generally take GLP-1/GIP injections for an extended period of time but the duration varies by individual.

Compounded drugs do not have the same safety, quality and effectiveness assurances as FDA-approved drugs. eMed does not offer compounded GLP-1/GIP medication.

The current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved GLP-1/GIP medications for weight management in the eMed program are Wegovy (both injectable and oral formulations), Zepbound, and Foundayo. For specific questions regarding these medications, you should visit the manufacturers’ websites.

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Individuals currently on a GLP-1/GIP for weight loss are encouraged to join eMed to transition your care for these medications. During enrollment, eMed will ask whether you are taking GLP-1/GIPs. If so, the eMed app will request an upload of your current prescription so eMed’s clinical partners can take that information into account when evaluating your eligibility.

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Participants pay a copay of $150 for Wegovy pills, Wegovy injectables,  Zepbound, or Foundayo per prescription. These prices may change if the manufacturer's price changes in the future.

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You download the eMed app, and use the code Tulane to access the program.

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You will need to provide your full legal name on file with Tulane, date of birth, email address and physical address.

As part of the process, a clinician will review both your medical history and your sample blood test to determine whether you qualify to take a GLP-1/GIP medication. These medications have very specific requirements for when they can be prescribed and there are specific situations where they may not be the best option for you medically. Your clinician will review your medical history and your lab results to determine if you are medically eligible to take the prescription.

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You must complete your bloodwork through the eMed solution to qualify for and participate in the program. The value of using eMed for your labwork is you have a consistent means of evaluating your progress in the program. In addition, outside lab results, recent physicals, or standard biometric/wellness screenings may have similar metrics, but not all of the metrics eMed captures.

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The blood collection is taken using a needleless Tasso device. An eMed virtual proctor guides you through the process, including warming the arm, cleaning the area with an alcohol swab, and collecting the sample. It is recommended to drink one to two glasses of water prior to collection. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes.

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Once the blood sample is picked up, it takes three to five days for the sample to be processed by the lab and for a clinician to review results. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made. If you are not approved for the eMed program, you will be notified within three to five business days from when the sample is picked up.

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Your prescription will be directly filled by eMed’s mail order pharmacy. The licensed eMed clinician will send your prescription and refills directly to the mail order pharmacy for fulfillment.

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During the weekly check-in, you will be asked to log your weight both audibly and by taking a picture of the scale. You will also scan your medication and will be reminded about what to do if you experience side effects. The process takes about one minute.

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You should report side effects through the eMed app, log severity and request clinician support if needed. In case of a medical emergency, you should call 911.

eMed will ensure confidentiality about the participation of individual plan members in the program. HIPAA-authorized employer benefits team members will receive only aggregate information about participation.

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For clinical (including clinical eligibility) or program questions, members may reach out to eMed at support@emed.com. For program eligibility, medical enrollment inquiries, or HR policy questions, members may reach out to your HR team.