Weight loss drugs
Medicare will provide access to certain GLP-1 drugs if you’re eligible and have Medicare drug coverage (Part D)
Description
GLP-1 drugs can help you manage your weight and improve your health. Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare covers these GLP-1 drugs:
- Foundayo® (tablet)
- Wegovy® (injection or tablet)
- Zepbound® (KwikPen® only. The program doesn’t cover single-dose Zepbound® vials or pens).
Coverage details
Medicare covers certain GLP-1 drugs under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. This temporary program is available nationwide (including all states and U.S. territories) to certain people with Medicare drug coverage (Part D) , including:
- A standalone Medicare drug plan (PDP)
- A Medicare Advantage (MA) coordinated care plan with drug coverage (including HMO, HMOPOS, and Local and Regional PPO plans) (MA-PD)
- A Special Needs Plan (SNP)
- An Employer/union group waiver plan (EGWP)
- The Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (LI NET) program
Who's eligible
You must be 18 or older and meet one of these requirements when you start GLP-1 therapy:
- You have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more.
- You have a BMI between 30-34.99 and have at least one of these conditions:
- Diastolic heart failure (also called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (also called hypertension)
- Chronic kidney disease at stage 3a or higher
- Prediabetes
- A previous heart attack (also called myocardial infarction) or stroke
- Blocked arteries in your legs or arms (also called peripheral artery disease) with symptoms
- You have a BMI between 27-29.99 and have at least one of these conditions:
- Prediabetes
- A previous heart attack (also called myocardial infarction) or stroke
- Blocked arteries in your legs or arms (also called peripheral artery disease) with symptoms
Provider requirements
If you’re eligible, your doctor or other health care provider must send a prescription for a covered GLP-1 drug to the pharmacy and when requested, complete a prior authorization . Your provider must certify that you're using the GLP-1 drug as part of a lifestyle program that focuses on diet and exercise.
Your pharmacy may ask for your Medicare Number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number to help them process your prescription. If you suspect fraud call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or find other ways to report fraud. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
You'll get a letter in the mail letting you know your GLP-1 drug is covered under Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
Your prior authorization is valid (including for refills and dose changes) through December 31, 2027, unless you change GLP-1s.
Can I participate in the GLP-1 Bridge program?
Do you currently have Medicare drug coverage?
Do you currently have Medicare drug coverage?
Have you taken a GLP-1 drug covered by your Medicare drug coverage?
Do you have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease?
What’s your body mass index (BMI)?
Your answer: You aren’t eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge right now.
If you get Medicare drug coverage, you may become eligible.
You can sign up for a drug plan if you have Medicare without drug coverage at certain times. Find out when you can get drug coverage. You can also check drug discount sites, including TrumpRx.gov, to compare prices for GLP-1 drugs.
Your answer: You aren’t eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge right now.
If you’ve been using a GLP-1 drug paid for by your Medicare drug plan you aren’t eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, but you can keep getting your GLP-1 drug through your current plan.
Are there other ways to save money on drugs?
- Check if the company that makes your drug offers help paying for it.
- Find out if your state offers help with drug costs.
- Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. Sometimes using a mail order pharmacy is cheaper.
- Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.
- Visit TrumpRx.gov:
- Find special offers and the lowest cash price on prescription drugs. You can’t buy drugs directly from TrumpRx.
- Compare TrumpRx prices with what you pay under your plan to make sure you get the best price.
- TrumpRx and other types of discount cards aren’t considered creditable coverage. When you use them (instead of your Medicare plan) to buy drugs, it doesn’t count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Your answer: You aren't eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, because your Medicare drug plan should cover GLP-1 medications to treat these conditions.
Ask your provider if a GLP-1 medication might be able to help you manage these conditions. You can also check drug discount sites, including TrumpRx.gov, to compare prices for GLP-1 drugs.
Your answer: You aren’t eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge right now.
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is only available to people who are 18 or older.
Are there other ways to save money on drugs?
- Check if the company that makes your drug offers help paying for it.
- Find out if your state offers help with drug costs.
- Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. Sometimes using a mail order pharmacy is cheaper.
- Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.
- Visit TrumpRx.gov:
- Find special offers and the lowest cash price on prescription drugs. You can’t buy drugs directly from TrumpRx.
- Compare TrumpRx prices with what you pay under your plan to make sure you get the best price.
- TrumpRx and other types of discount cards aren’t considered creditable coverage. When you use them (instead of your Medicare plan) to buy drugs, it doesn’t count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Your answer: You aren’t eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
Are there other ways to save money on drugs?
- Check if the company that makes your drug offers help paying for it.
- Find out if your state offers help with drug costs.
- Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. Sometimes using a mail order pharmacy is cheaper.
- Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.
- Visit TrumpRx.gov:
- Find special offers and the lowest cash price on prescription drugs. You can’t buy drugs directly from TrumpRx.
- Compare TrumpRx prices with what you pay under your plan to make sure you get the best price.
- TrumpRx and other types of discount cards aren’t considered creditable coverage. When you use them (instead of your Medicare plan) to buy drugs, it doesn’t count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Your answer: If you have at least one of these conditions, you’re eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge:
- Prediabetes
- Heart attack in the past
- Stroke in the past
- Blocked arteries in your legs or arms (peripheral artery disease)
If you don’t have any of these conditions, you aren’t eligible.
Are there other ways to save money on drugs?
- Check if the company that makes your drug offers help paying for it.
- Find out if your state offers help with drug costs.
- Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. Sometimes using a mail order pharmacy is cheaper.
- Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.
- Visit TrumpRx.gov:
- Find special offers and the lowest cash price on prescription drugs. You can’t buy drugs directly from TrumpRx.
- Compare TrumpRx prices with what you pay under your plan to make sure you get the best price.
- TrumpRx and other types of discount cards aren’t considered creditable coverage. When you use them (instead of your Medicare plan) to buy drugs, it doesn’t count toward your Medicare
deductible
or out-of-pocket maximum.
Your answer: If you have at least one of these conditions, you’re eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge:
- Diastolic heart failure (also called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (also called hypertension)
- Chronic kidney disease at stage 3a or higher
- Prediabetes
- Heart attack in the past
- Stroke in the past
- Blocked arteries in your legs or arms (peripheral artery disease)
If you don’t have any of these conditions, you aren’t eligible.
Are there other ways to save money on drugs?
- Check if the company that makes your drug offers help paying for it.
- Find out if your state offers help with drug costs.
- Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. Sometimes using a mail order pharmacy is cheaper.
- Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.
- Visit TrumpRx.gov:
- Find special offers and the lowest cash price on prescription drugs. You can’t buy drugs directly from TrumpRx.
- Compare TrumpRx prices with what you pay under your plan to make sure you get the best price.
- TrumpRx and other types of discount cards aren’t considered creditable coverage. When you use them (instead of your Medicare plan) to buy drugs, it doesn’t count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Your answer: You’re eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
Costs
You’ll pay a $50 copayment to the pharmacy for a one-month supply (either 28 or 30 days, depending on drug).
Since a separate Medicare program covers this drug (not your regular drug coverage), your copayment:
- Doesn’t count towards your yearly Medicare drug plan deductible or out-of-pocket limit and won’t appear on your Part D Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
- Won’t appear on any Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) .
- Can’t be lowered by programs like Extra Help (a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D costs).
- Can’t be spread across multiple months using the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan .
Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.
Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.
Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
If your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service