Medicare to cover GLP-1s for $50

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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/business/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-cost-medicare.html

A Guide to Medicare’s New Coverage for Obesity Drugs

What you should know about the federal government’s pilot program offering GLP-1s solely for weight loss.
By Mark Miller, The New York Times, May 15, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET

Millions of older Americans may have access for the first time to obesity drugs at a low price of $50 a month starting in July under a Medicare pilot program.

While Medicare Part D already covers some GLP-1 medications for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea, the government program for people 65 and older had prohibited coverage solely for obesity. Now, more people on Medicare will be eligible, including those who are most overweight and those with both obesity and conditions like prediabetes or uncontrolled hypertension.

The $50 monthly price — which will cover any dosage amount — is much lower than what Medicare patients currently pay out of pocket for GLP-1s…

But many older people may not be able to afford an extra $600 a year for another prescription, as they are already struggling with rising health care costs… one in four Medicare beneficiaries had an income below $24,600 in 2024, and that half lived on incomes below $43,200…

The C.B.O. estimated that adding weight-loss drugs would cost Medicare $35 billion from 2026 to 2034…

A health care provider must determine whether you meet the Bridge program’s clinical requirements, which are based on body weight and health status. Patients with a body mass index of 35 or higher will qualify; those with a lower B.M.I. may also qualify if they have been diagnosed with other related conditions…

The list of GLP-1s that can be prescribed for obesity includes Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in injectable and tablet forms; and Lilly’s Zepbound KwikPen…[end quote]

This will dramatically increase the demand for these drugs. This article didn’t mention the price that Medicare would pay the manufacturer for the drug.

Details in the article. Should be researched by anyone who is interested in this program.

Wendy

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Yeah, Eli Lilly!

There isn’t a person on the planet who wouldn’t benefit from a prescription for one malady or another.

intercst

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Interesting that there is movement along these lines… Good to see… My Monjaro GLP-1 is under my insurance coverage, if they remember to do 3 month Rx’s it comes to $50/month now. But they have messed me up a few times, and one month hits me for $150, contracts are contracts, they told me… So I have to remind my provider to always go for the 90 day supply… But it’s working, dropped 50+ pounds, working on continuing the loss… Son inlaw & his Dad are also on other GLP’s, SIL dropped off, needs to get back in the groove, his Dad seems to have plateau’d, so his Doc is working on it, not sure of their costs, but Dad is on Medicare, so likely good news for him… (Update: Dad’s cost, without Ins is running ~$400/mo will check on Medicare come July)

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Obese people that use GLP-1s for obesity. Particularly the GLP-1s that hit 2 or more receptors will SAVE more than 600 a year in reduced junk food consumption alone.

A coke and a candy bar even in Dollar General will run almost 5 dollars. 5 dollars once a day, for 30 days is 150 dollars a month. My savings is that or more. Probably a lot more as it is more than just junk food. It is also reducing fast food and even home cooked meal portions as well as alcohol consumption.

It also reduces libido some, :cry:, but oh well. No use having libido if your too fat and sick to do anything about it.

Cheers
Qazulight

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