Medicare, the US federal health insurance program for seniors 65+, will cover GLP-1 medications for obesity-related weight loss starting Wednesday. Eligible beneficiaries can receive these medications for $50 per month by prescription. This new bridge program allows access to Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Zepbound, and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy for seniors with a BMI of 35 or higher, without other medical conditions.
The program requires prior authorization, with stricter BMI requirements than some private insurance companies. Patients must also not have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease. A month’s supply of GLP-1s will cost $250 for Medicare, but patients will pay a $50 copay.
GLP-1 medications are daily tablets (Wegovy and Foundayo) or weekly injections (Zepbound). The bridge program aims to make these medications more affordable and accessible, advancing the goal of helping Americans live healthier lives.
Source: https://abcnews.com/Health/eligible-seniors-glp-1s-50-month-weight-loss/story?id=134351927