Crux and eMed Partner to Expand Affordable Access to GLP‑1 Therapies for Working Americans

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crux, a benefits operating system that connects employers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and benefit solution providers, and eMed, the leading platform for employer-sponsored preemptive health management, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver an employer-sponsored solution designed to make GLP-1 medications more affordable and accessible for America’s workforce. The collaboration combines eMed’s clinical care model with Crux’s tax-advantaged payment and fulfillment infrastructure into a coordinated offering for employers and their employees.

Demand for GLP-1 medications and other transformative therapies has skyrocketed, adding to cost pressures faced by U.S. employers. More than 70 percent of employees say GLP-1 coverage is important when deciding to take or stay at a job and 31 percent would consider leaving their employer for another one that offers it as a benefit. Yet fewer than half of employers cover GLP-1s for obesity management due to cost constraints.

This partnership is designed to address those challenges by enabling eligible members to benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs via employer contributions, simplified access to FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, continuous clinical support, as well as improved adherence and outcomes.

“Crux has focused on building the underlying infrastructure required for innovative platforms and capabilities to seamlessly and effectively integrate with employer benefit programs,” said Chip Nash, CEO and Co-Founder of Crux. “We are excited to include eMed’s clinical care platform and expertise on the Crux platform as a valuable capability for employers who are looking to improve clinical oversight of GLP-1 utilization.”

Under the partnership, eMed will provide the clinical layer through its digital health solution, including clinician-led evaluation and prescribing support for eligible members, personalized dose adjustment support, optional coaching, and regular check-ins. Crux will handle all financial and operational transactions, including facilitating employers’ tax-advantaged health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) contributions, filling prescriptions, and processing payments.

Through this integrated experience, employees can move seamlessly between the eMed and Crux platforms to access clinical care, make payments, and receive medications.

“This partnership represents a pivotal step toward a future where healthcare is no longer reactive, but continuous, proactive, and deeply personal,” said eMed CEO Linda Yaccarino. “While GLP-1s are a powerful catalyst, they open the door to reimagining how clinical care, technology, and benefits converge to drive better outcomes at scale. Together with Crux, we’re enabling employers to lead that transformation while empowering people to take greater control of their health and their future.”

About Crux:

Crux is a benefits operating system that connects employers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and benefit providers. By facilitating the compliance and transaction layer, Crux reduces the administrative burden on employers, giving them choice in how they build their benefits. Crux contracts directly with manufacturers and passes their pricing through at cost, with no markups, rebates, or hidden fees. Employers can fund the benefit through a tax-advantaged arrangement such as an HRA, starting with FDA-approved weight-loss medications. Crux serves employers of every size, from the Fortune 500 to single-employee businesses. Headquartered in McLean, Va., Crux is backed by Red Cell Partners. Visit us at getcrux.com and follow us on social media (LinkedIn, X, Instagram).

About eMed

eMed is the world's first end-to-end GLP-1 care platform built on Empathetic AI™. From remote diagnostics and clinician-led prescriptions to adherence coaching and insights, eMed empowers employers to manage population health with accountability and compassion. Learn more at www.eMed.com.