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Medicare will start covering weight-loss drugs on July 1 for the first time
The temporary program gives eligible beneficiaries $50 monthly access to Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo after manufacturers agreed to sell them to Medicare for $245.
- On July 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will launch the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, marking the first time Medicare will help pay for drugs prescribed solely for obesity.
- Federal law prohibits Medicare from covering weight-loss drugs, prompting the administration to conduct this temporary demonstration project following an agreement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce costs.
- Eligible enrollees pay $50 monthly, though this copayment does not count toward annual out-of-pocket maximums; patients must have a BMI of 35 or higher, or lower BMI with specific health conditions, to qualify.
- Medicare beneficiaries who already receive GLP-1 drugs for diabetes or sleep apnea will continue using their regular Part D prescription drug coverage, as the pilot excludes those already covered.
- Running through the end of 2027, the Bridge program offers no clear path forward for coverage once it lapses; unless Congress changes the law or CMS issues an extension, patients may face higher cash prices.
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With a $50 monthly drug copay, many beneficiaries will see a significant reduction in their spending
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Total News Sources58
Leaning Left12Leaning Right3Center36Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
L 23%
C 71%
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