Millions of Medicare-qualifying adults can now access popular weight loss medications at a discounted price through a temporary federal program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The program, which started on Wednesday, offers pill or injected forms of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and orforglipron for $50 per month.

Who Qualifies

To qualify, individuals must be 18 or older, participate in the Medicare part D drug coverage program, and meet certain health criteria. The program aims to help older adults who struggle with obesity, which is a major contributor to various diseases of aging, including heart disease, cancer, dementia, arthritis, and diabetes.

A new analysis by the nonprofit health policy group KFF found that 3.8 million Americans would newly qualify for the program, based on 2023 data. However, medical experts caution that price shouldn’t be the only consideration when deciding whether to use one of these powerful drugs. Dr. John Batsis, a geriatrician and nutritionist, advises that older adults should be mindful of potential side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, which can be more serious for seniors.

Benefits and Risks

Recent studies show that GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, can help adults over 65 lose weight, with an average weight loss of 15.5% and 23.3%, respectively. However, experts emphasize that these medications should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as they can have serious side effects, particularly for older adults.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.