Medicare launched a pilot program today that expands access to GLP-1 drugs for people managing obesity and prediabetes.
Roughly 3.8 million Medicare beneficiaries who have paid about $350 a month for medications such as Zepbound, Foundayo, and Wegovy are now eligible for a $50 copay. The program, which runs through 2027, operates under special research authority to test a federal law barring Medicare from covering drugs prescribed solely for weight loss. Congress enacted the ban in 2003, citing safety concerns with earlier medications and potentially high program costs. GLP-1s emerged as a new class of weight loss drugs in 2014, and officials estimate the pilot will cost the federal government $2.5B to $4.4B annually.
The US adult obesity rate has nearly tripled since the 1960s to roughly 40%, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions (see chart). Clinical trials show GLP-1s can help patients lose an average of 15% to 20% of their body weight over approximately 15 to 17 months. Watch how.
