Medicare launches pilot to cover GLP1 obesity drugs

Millions of older Americans and people with disabilities on Medicare will gain access to popular weight-loss medications at a dramatically reduced cost starting Wednesday, July 1, under a new federal pilot program. The temporary initiative, called the Medicare GLP1 Bridge, marks the first time the government health insurance program will cover these drugs specifically for obesity treatment.

Eligible beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will pay a flat monthly copay of $50 for medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo. These GLP-1 drugs, produced by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, typically cost patients hundreds of dollars per month even with other insurance. Officials estimate several million of Medicare's more than 69 million beneficiaries could qualify for the program.

The program is designed as an 18-month demonstration project set to expire on December 31, 2027. It was created under administrative authority to test new payment models, as federal law has historically prohibited Medicare from covering drugs solely for weight loss. Medicare Part D already covers some GLP-1 medications for conditions like type 2 diabetes, but coverage for obesity...