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Medicare To Cover Weight-Loss Drugs Under New Pilot Program

The temporary initiative is designed to improve access to anti-obesity drugs while evaluating new payment and coverage models for Medicare recipients.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Medicare will start covering weight-loss drugs on July 1. Pic via(@USATODAY)

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries will become eligible for weight-loss medications for the first time when the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge pilot program launches on July 1.

The temporary initiative is designed to improve access to anti-obesity drugs while evaluating new payment and coverage models for Medicare recipients.

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The program follows an agreement between the Trump administration and drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce the cost of popular GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound and Wegovy.

Under the pilot, eligible beneficiaries could obtain these medications at significantly reduced prices, making treatment more affordable for seniors who previously paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month out of pocket.

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Current federal law generally prohibits Medicare from covering drugs prescribed solely for weight loss. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is authorized to conduct demonstration projects that test alternative coverage approaches.

Medical professionals and patient advocates have long argued that obesity should be treated as a chronic disease, similar to diabetes or heart disease.

They say expanding access to GLP-1 medications could improve health outcomes, reduce obesity-related complications and lower long-term healthcare costs for millions of older Americans.

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