Payers are under mounting pressure to justify GLP-1 coverage as utilization grows faster than long-term evidence clarity. This session takes a clear-eyed look at how benefit controls—eligibility, prior authorization, step therapy, reauthorization, and duration limits—are being used to manage cost while testing real-world value. We’ll examine the industry shift from positioning GLP-1s as weight loss drugs to chronic disease management tools, with a focus on where these therapies can meaningfully reduce cardiometabolic risk, downstream utilization, and total cost of care. The session will also highlight real-world cost savings analysis from Noom’s SmartRx program, demonstrating how structured benefit design and clinical support can drive measurable ROI while supporting sustainable, long-term care strategies. This session emphasizes practical decision-making in an environment defined by uncertainty, accountability, and rising demand.