Medicare Weight Loss Program -

A new program will allow Medicare beneficiaries to purchase weight loss drugs for $50 per month. The program is called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The demonstration project will run from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. There are certain conditions Medicare beneficiaries must meet to be eligible to participate in the program.

Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program

The GLP-1 weight loss drugs available to be purchased through the Bridge program at the discounted price include-

Foundayo: all formulations
Wegovy: all formulations
Zepbound: KwikPen

Eligibility: you must be enrolled in Medicare Part D plan, prior authorization, BMI greater than 35.

The copay for the GLP-1 drugs will be $50 under the Bridge program. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website on the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, current Part D individuals already prescribed the drugs are not eligible for the program. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program was established to increase access to the drugs to lose weight.

GLP-1 copayment does not pass through the Part D drug plan and the costs do not accrue to the PDP MOOP.

To be eligible for discounted weight loss drugs, the Medicare beneficiary must be enrolled in a Part D drug plan. This can either be a stand-alone Part D plan or one that is embedded in a Medicare Advantage plan.

A physician must request prior authorization for the GLP-1 Bridge program for you.

However, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program is outside of the Part D drug plan. This means any Part D deductible for prescription medications will not apply. On the downside, the out-of-pocket costs for the $50 copay for the GPL-1 drugs will not count toward meeting the maximum out-of-pocket amount of the Part D drug plan.

Some patients may not qualify for the GLP-1 program if they are already getting the drugs through their Part D plan.

In order to participate in the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program you will need to have your doctor submit a prior authorization form. Specifically, your BMI (Body Mass Index) must be greater than 35 to be eligible. Medicare beneficiaries with lower BMIs can be eligible for the lower cost weight loss drugs under the program if they have other conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, chronic kidney disease or are pre-diabetes, previous stroke, or artery disease.