NEWS RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Biosimilar Program Saves Members, Customers Over 90% on Specialty Drugs in 2025
Brianna Neace
| 3 min read
DETROIT, Feb. 18, 2026 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s partnership with Evio Pharmacy Solutions saved members and employer group customers more than 90 percent off the list price of high-cost specialty drugs in 2025 through the use of biosimilars. While biologics make up five percent of prescriptions in the U.S., they account for 51 percent of total drug spending. The use of biosimilars saved Blue Cross members and employee groups $67 million in 2024 and $80 million in 2025.
“Affordability, care and member choice are critical priorities for Blue Cross when it comes to maximizing the value of our pharmacy offerings for members,” said Atheer Kaddis, vice president of Pharmacy Services and chief pharmacy officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Specialty drugs are a significant driver behind the increasing cost of health care and biologic medicines represent some of the most expensive prescriptions overall. With biosimilar alternatives, Blue Cross is able to champion high-quality care and affordability, while still providing members with the breadth of options they’ve come to expect from their Blue Cross coverage. ”
Last year, Blue Cross began transitioning members from high-cost specialty drugs like Humira® and Stelara® to biosimilar alternatives such as Simlandi® and Yesintek®. The transition of these medications resulted in savings of more than 90 percent off the brand-name list price per drug. Now, 99 percent of Blue Cross members taking Humira and Stelara are instead taking the approved biosimilars, benefitting from continued results from their medication and significantly lower costs with their Blue Cross and Blue Care Network coverage. For example, at a list price of $10,400 per month for Humira®, members who have transitioned to Simlandi® now see a list price of less than $1,000 per month. Blue Cross plans to secure additional options for members as more safe and effective biosimilar alternatives become available for popular and expensive medications.
In 2025, Blue Cross leveraged its partnership with Evio Pharmacy Solutions, an independent company launched along with five other Blue Cross and Blue Shield-licensed health plans, to secure the most effective biosimilar options at the lowest possible price. This approach works alongside Blue Cross’ limited pharmacy distribution model, which increases savings by working with an Exclusive Specialty Network that also provides members with home delivery for their medications.
Since they were first developed in 1982, biologic medications have expanded to account for a third of all new medicines approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are the fastest growing segment of pharmaceutical research. A biologic is a specialized drug treatment that has been developed from a living organism. These medicines are often used to treat chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases and various types of cancer, among other complex illnesses. Biosimilar medications are developed to mimic the safety and efficacy of biologic drugs.
For more information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's commitment to affordability, visit MiBlueDaily.com/Affordability.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for over 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
