Popular -- and expensive -- GLP-1 agonists for weight loss just got a lot cheaper for many older Americans.
Starting this week, the federal government is offering a selection of the brand name medications to certain Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries for $50 a month through a new trial called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
The temporary program, which runs until the end of 2027, is the first opportunity for most older adults to get GLP-1 medications covered by insurance when used strictly for weight loss. But there are weight and health requirements, and those who already get GLP-1 drugs covered for diseases like diabetes and sleep apnea won't qualify.
Mehmet Oz, MD, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), said he hopes the program can help his agency collect data to potentially work toward longer-term coverage, while providing immediate relief to cash-strapped older Americans.
"The sheer cost of these medications is a huge barrier to access," he said in a call with reporters. "That ends today."
