Medicare to Offer GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs for $50 Monthly Starting July 1
Up to 14 million Medicare recipients who are overweight will be eligible for three GLP-1 medications at a $50 copay under a new pilot program. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge runs from July 2026 through December 2027 and is separate from standard Part D coverage.
New York PostMedicare will begin covering three GLP-1 weight-loss drugs at a $50 monthly copay on July 1 under a pilot program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The program expands access beyond the previous coverage limited to diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular conditions. It will run through December 31, 2027, and is designed to measure demand before any permanent coverage decision.
Most Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older qualify if they have a body mass index of 35 or higher, or a BMI of 27 with an obesity-related condition such as pre-diabetes or heart disease. Participants must also be enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription plan.
Patients already receiving a GLP-1 for another covered condition will not be eligible for the reduced copay. Enrollment requires prior authorization submitted through the Humana platform by any licensed physician.
The three drugs included are Zepbound, Foundayo, and Wegovy. Foundayo and Wegovy are available in pill form. Ozempic is excluded because it is approved only for diabetes treatment. List prices for the medications range from roughly $1,000 to $1,350 per month without insurance. Cash prices for the three covered products fall between $199 and $699 monthly.
The Bridge program stems from an agreement between the federal government and manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to supply the drugs at a reduced rate. A Congressional Budget Office estimate placed potential costs at about $35 billion from 2026 to 2034 if the program expands.
The pilot does not include counseling or lifestyle support typically paired with GLP-1 treatment. Officials have stated that insurer participation will determine whether coverage continues after 2027.
