GLP-1s for $50 a Month? 14 Million Medicare Recipients May Be Eligible
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An estimated 14 million Medicare Part D recipients could obtain Wegovy, Foundayo, and Zepbound for $50 per month. Johner Images/Getty Images Federal officials announced the launch of a Medicare GLP-1 Bridge pilot program that reduces the cost of certain GLP-1 medications prescribed for weight loss. Under the program, Wegovy, Foundayo, and Zepbound Kwik Pens will cost $50 per month for eligible participants enrolled in Medicare Part D plans. The program begins on July 1 and continues through Dec. 31, 2027. Some Medicare recipients will soon be able to purchase a limited number of GLP-1 weight loss drugs at a guaranteed price of $50 per month. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the formation of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge pilot program, which begins on July 1 and lasts until December 31, 2027. Under the pilot project, people enrolled in Medicare Part D who have been prescribed certain GLP-1 medications will be able to purchase those drugs for $50 per month. It’s estimated that around 14 million people in the United States could be eligible under the pilot program. Federal officials note that in the past, Medicare has not covered medications prescribed for weight loss. The pilot program lifts that restriction. “These treatments are a major medical advancement, but too many seniors are currently unable to access them due to high cost,” Mehmet Oz, MD, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a statement. “The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge changes that by making these medications more affordable and accessible, while advancing our broader goal of helping Americans live healthier lives.” The Medicare Bridge program follows the launch last year of a Trump Rx program to lower the cost of GLP-1 medications and other higher-cost drugs. Which GLP-1s are covered and how much will they cost? To be eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, a person must be at least 18 years old and be treated with the GLP-1 medicatio