Optimizing Cardiorenal-Metabolic Health: A Managed Care Guide to Integrating SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy

Program Description

Cardiorenal-metabolic (CRM) syndrome is the overlap of type 2 diabetes, heart failure (HF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the condition presents clinical and economic burdens due to progressive organ damage and frequent hospitalizations. While SGLT2 inhibitors have revolutionized therapy for patients with and without diabetes, their optimal use is often limited by clinical inertia. Additionally, across the CRM continuum, SGLT2 inhibitors consistently reduce hospitalizations and adverse events that drive high health care costs. The rapid expansion of clinical indications for SGLT2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control has created a shift in the management of CRM conditions. Their appropriate use, however, requires that pharmacists and managed care professionals be adequately informed about guideline-directed evidence to optimize clinical and economic outcomes. This program balances clinical evidence for SGLT2 inhibitors with payer application. The expert-led discussion will provide the tools to design value-based formularies and integrated care models to improve utilization of SGLT2 inhibitors while managing the total cost of care.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 30, 2026
Expiration date: April 30, 2027
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify the interconnected pathophysiology, clinical progression, and economic burden of cardiorenal-metabolic diseases to improve early risk stratification and opportunities for integrated management.
• Analyze current clinical evidence, guideline recommendations, and comparative data for SGLT2 inhibitors across the cardiorenal-metabolic spectrum to inform care strategies for patients.
• Illustrate evidence-based formulary and benefit design strategies that incorporate real-world evidence, cost-effectiveness analyses, and outcomes-based contracting models to improve patient access, individualized care, optimize adherence, and align the total cost of care with the clinical value of SGLT2 inhibitors.