600,000 seniors enrolled in Medicare obesity drug program

Key facts

• 600,000 seniors have enrolled in the Medicare Bridge program since its July launch.
• The program offers eligible beneficiaries access to GLP-1 weight loss medications for a $50 monthly copay.
• Medicare is legally barred from covering drugs solely for weight loss, but the Bridge program acts as a workaround.
• Beneficiaries are ineligible if they have sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes, as Medicare Part D already covers GLP-1s for these conditions.
• The pilot program is scheduled to continue through the end of 2027.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported that 600,000 seniors have enrolled in a new federal program designed to expand access to GLP-1 weight loss medications. Launched in July, the Medicare Bridge program allows eligible beneficiaries to obtain these sought-after treatments for a monthly copay of $50.

This initiative represents a workaround to a long-standing prohibition on Medicare covering drugs solely for obesity treatment. While Medicare Part D already covers GLP-1s for related conditions like sleep apnea and diabetes, the Bridge program addresses obesity as a chronic disease. Beneficiaries are ineligible if they have sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes, as these conditions are already covered.

Major pharmacy chains have reported significant uptake. CVS and Walgreens have each filled approximately 100,000 prescriptions, while Walmart has processed Bridge prescriptions at over 5,000 locations nationwide. Walgreens noted that about half of the patients served through the program were new to GLP-1s, and they have not encountered supply issues.

Experts suggest the program is proving popular, with estimates that the initial enrollment represents 5% to 10% of the roughly 4 million Medicare recipients who may qualify. The Bridge program is intended as a temporary measure, set to run through the end of 2027, while data is collected for potential future, broader coverage plans. Legislation, such as the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, is also being considered to permanently resolve the coverage gap.