Starting in July, Medicare beneficiaries may be able to get a GLP-1 prescription for weight loss for $50 a month. It’s a notable shift for Medicare, which has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments.
The drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are effective but can be expensive without insurance coverage. They’re available in injection or pill form. Even with discounts, current cash prices typically range from $149 to $699 per month.
About half of GLP-1 users say these drugs were difficult for them to afford, according to KFF polling. A quarter said they were “very difficult” to afford.
But the new Medicare benefit comes with caveats, particularly around clinical guidelines and what happens when the short-term program ends.
What Is This Program?
The initiative, announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is a short-term pilot program known as the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. It will run from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. It’s meant to “bridge” the gap before a longer-term program that might — or might not — begin in 2028.
The pilot program will offer coverage for the following GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss: the pill and injectable formulations of Wegovy, the KwikPen formulation of Zepbound, and the Foundayo pill.
Who Can Participate?
To get access to these weight loss medications, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, which covers prescription drugs. After that, eligibility is based mainly on body weight and health status. People will qualify if they have a body mass index of 27 or higher and have a condition such as heart disease or prediabet …