Some Medicare beneficiaries may soon be able to access popular weight-loss medications for as little as $50 a month under a new agreement involving the federal government and two major drug manufacturers.
The deal, announced by the Trump administration, involves Eli Lilly, the maker of Zepbound, and Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy.
Under the agreement, Medicare will cover $245 per month for the medications, while eligible beneficiaries will pay $50 out of pocket.
Federal health officials say the move is designed to make the highly sought-after GLP-1 medications more affordable for patients who could benefit from their use.
“We’ve been working hard to push down on these prices to make sure that these medications, which can be life-changing and even lifesaving because of their impact on weight loss and downstream complications like diabetes and hypertension,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
However, not all Medicare recipients will qualify for the lower-cost medications.
Eligibility is limited to overweight individuals who also have certain qualifying health conditions, including prediabetes, a history of stroke or cardiovascular disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Federal officials estimate that about 10% of Medicare beneficiaries meet those requirements.
GLP-1 medications have surged in popularity in recent years because of their effectiveness in helping people lose weight and manage chronic health conditions. Studies have also shown the drugs may help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in some patients.
The new agreement could significantly lower costs for eligible Medicare recipients, many of whom have been unable to afford the medications because of their high price tags.
Officials have not yet announced when the discounted pricing will become available to eligible beneficiaries.