Medicare Update: Hundreds of Thousands Get GLP-1 Drugs for Just $50
Before the new program, patients often faced out-of-pocket expenses that could exceed $1,000 per month.
More than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in a new federal program that caps monthly costs at $50 for GLP-1 weight-loss medications, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The enrollment milestone was reached within the first two months of the program's launch on July 1, 2024. These obesity treatments have previously been financially inaccessible for many seniors due to their high price tags.
Michael Ryan, a finance expert, explained that the program transforms access to these drugs from an expensive and unpredictable monthly expense into a simple $50 decision. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program covers select medications such as Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo, but it is only temporary, running until December 31, 2027.
The program aims to provide innovative but costly treatments at a predictable cost, while evaluating how broader coverage could impact health outcomes and Medicare spending. Eligible beneficiaries must have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and meet clinical criteria based on body mass index (BMI) and specific medical conditions.
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