A new Medicare option for weight loss drugs is coming: Here's what to know

Health A new Medicare option for weight loss drugs is coming: Here's what to know May 6, 20266:00 AM ET From By  Jackie Fortiér Weight management medications, including Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo, will be available to eligible Medicare beneficiaries with a $50 copay starting July. Universal Images Group/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Universal Images Group/Getty Images Starting in July, Medicare beneficiaries may be able to get a GLP-1 prescription for weight loss for $50 a month. It's a notable shift for Medicare, which has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments. The drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are effective but can be expensive without insurance coverage. They're available in injection or pill form. Even with discounts, current cash prices typically range from $149 to $699 per month. About half of GLP-1 users say these drugs were difficult for them to afford, according to KFF polling. A quarter said they were "very difficult" to afford. Sponsor Message Living Better How to navigate the maze of drug discounts to get the best price But the new Medicare benefit comes with caveats, particularly around clinical guidelines and what happens when the short-term program ends. What is this program? The initiative, announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, is a short-term pilot program known as the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. It will run from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. It's meant to "bridge" the gap before a longer-term program that might — or might not — begin in 2028. The pilot program will offer coverage for the following GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss: the pill and injectable formulations of Wegovy, the KwikPen formulation of Zepbound, and the Foundayo pill. Health The FDA approves a new obesity pill, giving patients another option Who can participate? To get access to these weight loss medications, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, which covers prescription drugs. After that...