Quit Genius, a digital clinic focused on treating addiction, has secured a major partnership with Evernorth, the health services arm of Cigna Corporation. The collaboration marks a significant milestone not only for Quit Genius but also for the broader digital health industry, as the San Francisco-based company becomes the first and only nicotine cessation solution to be included in the Evernorth Digital Health Formulary.
This partnership signals growing recognition of digital therapeutics as viable, scalable solutions for addressing some of the most pressing behavioral health challenges, particularly addiction. It also reflects a larger trend of health insurers and employers embracing innovative, tech-driven care models to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
The Evernorth Digital Health Formulary
The Evernorth Digital Health Formulary, formerly known as the Express Scripts Digital Health Formulary, was developed to help employers and plan sponsors identify digital health solutions that offer real value. Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit manager owned by Cigna, plays a central role in curating and managing this formulary.
Digital solutions included in the formulary undergo rigorous vetting by Express Scripts experts. The evaluation process considers multiple factors, including clinical effectiveness, cost efficiency, user experience, data security, and privacy protections. The goal is to cut through the overwhelming number of digital health products on the market—over 300,000 by some estimates—and highlight only those solutions that have been proven to make a difference.
By joining the formulary, Quit Genius has passed this stringent vetting process, making it available to millions of Evernorth members across the United States.
Quit Genius: A Digital Clinic For Addiction
Founded in 2015, Quit Genius originally launched with a mission to provide digital support for smoking and vaping cessation. Over time, the company has expanded its offerings to include alcohol and opioid use disorder programs, creating a broader digital clinic model for addiction care.
Quit Genius combines several evidence-based approaches within its platform:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Delivered through an app, CBT modules help users understand the thoughts and behaviors driving their addiction and learn strategies for change.
- Biometric monitoring: For nicotine cessation, users can access breathalyzer tests to track progress and reinforce accountability.
- Medication support: The platform integrates nicotine replacement therapies and other medications when clinically appropriate.
- Personal coaching: Users receive guidance and encouragement from trained coaches who provide personalized support.
To date, Quit Genius has raised $13.6 million in funding, according to Crunchbase, reflecting strong investor confidence in the growing digital therapeutics sector.
Why The Partnership Matters
For Quit Genius, being added to the Evernorth formulary is transformative. It opens up access to millions of potential users who are members of Cigna’s health plans or employers utilizing Evernorth’s services. For those struggling with nicotine addiction, it means they can access a clinically validated, tech-driven solution at no extra burden of vetting or searching through countless digital options.
CEO and co-founder Yusuf Sherwani emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting that Evernorth’s rigorous selection process demonstrates the value Quit Genius brings. “This solves a tremendous pain point for clients who are desperately seeking innovative technology-led solutions that can reduce cost and improve outcomes but don’t have the capacity to individually conduct that vetting process,” Sherwani said.
For Evernorth and Express Scripts, the inclusion of Quit Genius strengthens their position as leaders in digital health curation. By offering proven tools for addiction treatment, they address one of the highest-cost, highest-need areas of healthcare.
Tackling Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine addiction remains a widespread issue in the U.S., despite declining smoking rates in recent decades. The rise of vaping has introduced new challenges, particularly among young adults. According to the CDC, nearly 34 million adults in the U.S. still smoke cigarettes, and millions more use e-cigarettes.
Traditional smoking cessation programs often face barriers, including limited access, stigma, and inconsistent engagement. Digital solutions like Quit Genius overcome many of these challenges by offering on-demand, accessible, and discreet support that can be tailored to each individual’s needs.
By combining behavioral therapy with technology, biometric tools, and coaching, Quit Genius has created an approach that integrates clinical best practices with the convenience of mobile access. For health plans and employers, this means a scalable way to support members in quitting smoking—a change that delivers significant long-term health benefits and cost savings.
Potential Expansion Beyond Nicotine
While the Evernorth partnership currently applies only to Quit Genius’ nicotine cessation program, the company has expressed optimism about expanding to include its alcohol and opioid addiction solutions in the future.
“The use of technology to help people overcome alcohol and opioid addictions is new, but the demand is clear,” Sherwani said. He noted that many health plans and employers are already showing interest in digital programs for substance use disorders, given the significant personal and financial toll of these conditions.
Should the partnership expand, Quit Genius could play a role in addressing the opioid epidemic and rising alcohol misuse, both of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employer And Plan Sponsor Benefits
For employers and plan sponsors, the inclusion of Quit Genius in the formulary provides both simplicity and cost savings. With thousands of digital health apps available, selecting a clinically effective and secure solution can be daunting. By relying on the Evernorth formulary, employers can confidently adopt tools that have already been vetted.
Mark Bini, chief patient experience officer of Express Scripts, explained that the formulary delivers average plan savings of more than $120,000 per digital solution by reducing administrative burdens and ensuring value. This is in addition to the long-term healthcare savings that come from helping members quit smoking and improve their health.
Broader Implications For Digital Health
The Quit Genius–Evernorth partnership highlights a broader shift in healthcare toward integrating digital therapeutics into mainstream care. As health plans and employers seek innovative ways to manage costs and improve outcomes, digital solutions that combine evidence-based care with user-friendly technology are gaining traction.
For addiction treatment, digital programs offer unique advantages. They can provide support outside of traditional clinical settings, reduce stigma by offering discreet access, and scale to reach large populations without the same infrastructure costs as in-person programs. Partnerships like this one signal that digital therapeutics are moving from experimental to essential in modern healthcare.
Looking Ahead
As Quit Genius rolls out its nicotine cessation program through Evernorth, its impact will be closely watched. Success could pave the way for expanded offerings in alcohol and opioid addiction treatment, as well as inspire other digital health companies to pursue similar partnerships with insurers and health services organizations.
For Cigna and Evernorth, the partnership reinforces their strategy of curating a high-value digital health ecosystem. By focusing on conditions with significant health and economic impacts, they aim to support members, reduce costs, and improve overall population health.
Conclusion
The partnership between Quit Genius and Cigna’s Evernorth is a milestone for digital addiction treatment. As the first nicotine cessation solution added to the Evernorth Digital Health Formulary, Quit Genius gains access to millions of potential users while validating its clinical effectiveness and value.
For Evernorth and Express Scripts, the collaboration strengthens their ability to guide employers and health plans through a crowded digital health marketplace. It also underscores the growing importance of digital therapeutics in addressing complex behavioral health challenges.
While the partnership begins with nicotine cessation, the potential for expansion into alcohol and opioid use disorder treatment could further reshape how addiction care is delivered in the U.S. Ultimately, this collaboration represents a step forward in integrating digital health into mainstream care, offering new hope to individuals striving to overcome addiction.
