Medicare to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs starting July 1

Some Medicare patients will gain access to GLP-1 medications for weight loss beginning July 1 through a new pilot program designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs, authorities said.

The program, called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, will allow eligible beneficiaries to pay a $50 monthly copay for weight-loss drugs manufactured by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The covered medications include Zepbound, Foundayo, and Wegovy.

This marks the first time Medicare will help pay for drugs prescribed solely for obesity treatment. Previously, the program limited coverage of GLP-1 medications to patients taking them for conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

"Medicare is not changing the law right now," said Juliette Cubanski, vice president and director of Medicare policy at the health care research nonprofit KFF. "What it's doing is taking advantage of a specific section of the law that gives the federal government the ability to stand up a temporary program."

The pilot program expands access to weight-loss drugs at a time when out-of-pocket costs remain a barrier for many patients. While drugmakers have lowered costs in recent months, many patients still pay approximately $350 per month for these medications without insurance coverage or assistance programs.