Medicare is now covering GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50 a month as part of a temporary pilot program. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge allows eligible Medicare recipients to get medications like Wegovy and Zepbound.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible, recipients must meet four requirements. The program is a workaround to give Medicare recipients quicker access to the medications, which can help people lose weight by reducing appetite and cravings.
Almost 40% of Americans over age 65 have obesity, according to government statistics. GLP-1 drugs can lead to many benefits beyond weight loss, including reducing the risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, kidney disease, and chronic joint pain.
The new program will operate outside of Medicare Part D and is scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2027. Organizers hope that the pilot program will show that it saves money and improves health, leading to its extension.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
