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June 29, 2026 / 3:39 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Some Medicare patients will be able to access to GLP-1 medication for weight loss for the first time starting July 1, paying a $50 monthly copay through a new program designed to make the drugs more affordable. Called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, the pilot program expands access to weight-loss drugs made by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, including Zepbound, Foundayo and Wegovy."Medicare is not changing the law right now," said Juliette Cubanski, vice president and director of Medicare policy at the health care research nonprofit KFF. "What it's doing is taking advantage of a specific section of the law that gives the federal government the ability to stand up a temporary program."The program marks the first time Medicare will help pay for drugs prescribed solely for obesity, rather than limiting coverage to people taking GLP-1s for conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Drugmakers have lowered out-of-pocket costs in recent months, but many patients still pay about $350 a month.GLP-1 coverage through the bridge program will run between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027. After that 18-month trial, patients could lose access to Medicare coverage for GLP-1s used for weight loss unless the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issues an extension or Congress changes the law, according to Cubanski. It's possible drug manufacturers could also lower their current direct-to-consumer pricing to match the $50 copay, she said."In the short term, we have this temporary program, and then no clear path forward yet as to what will happen at the end of 2027," she said.Who is eligible?Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage enrolled in an eligible plan can get coverage through the Bridge program.
