RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Millions of Medicare beneficiaries may now be able to access popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications for as little as $50 per month through a new federal program.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program launched officially from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 1. Under the program, some Americans will gain easier access to Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo.
Medicare beneficiaries previously faced costs that could run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month.
On Thursday, Amazon Pharmacy announced it had become one of the latest major providers offering the medications under the program. For customers, that means Amazon will automatically handle eligibility verification, prior authorization and billing for patients who qualify.
GLP-1 drugs have transformed obesity treatment, helping many patients lose significant amounts of weight while lowering their risk of conditions like heart disease. At the same time, the high prices of these drugs have often put them out of reach for many Americans.
Before the new Medicare initiative, some of the medications carried list prices ranging from roughly $1,200 to $1,500 per month. Under the bridge program, eligible beneficiaries can obtain covered medications for a flat $50 monthly co-pay through participating pharmacies.
Today, more than 72 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to CMS, eligible beneficiaries can obtain:
The program does not cover Zepbound single-dose pens or vial formulations.
“Much of the conversation around GLP-1s has focused on younger adults, but one of the biggest shifts in obesity care is happening among people 65 and older,” Dr. Rekha Kumar, senior medical adviser at Found, told Newsweek . “The new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program also opens a more affordable path for elderly eligible beneficiaries to meet their unique needs.”
Amazon announced Thursday that it will provide eligible Medicare beneficiaries access to GLP-1 drugs through the bridge program.
In its announcement, the company said it will automate enrollment steps and even prior authorization checks and billing once a clinician submits an electronic prescription and the customer adds Medicare information to their account. Home delivery and in-store pickup are available.
Kumar said the long-term impacts of Amazon’s expansion into GLP-1 coverage will depend on whether these medications remain affordable and are paired with the appropriate medical oversight.
“Obesity is a chronic disease, and successful treatment isn't just about obtaining a prescription. It also involves long-term follow-up, monitoring for side effects, and addressing everyday habits, including nutrition, physical activity and other existing health conditions,” Kumar said. “I always remind my patients that medication is an important tool, but it's only one part of a comprehensive treatment plan.”
CVS recently expanded its GLP-1 offerings and partnered with Eli Lilly to improve access to weight-loss medications.
“Weight management is a deeply personal health journey, and too many people face barriers before they start treatment,” Sid Tenneti, CVS' senior vice president and interim president of pharmacy and consumer wellness, said in a statement this week.
“CVS Health combines clinical care, pharmacy access, digital tools and trusted pharmacist support to make that journey simpler, more affordable, and more connected. Our collaboration with Lilly is one more way we’re expanding direct to consumer access to help eligible patients find options that work best for them.”
Walmart has also announced efforts to expand access to GLP-1 medications and said its pharmacists will help support Medicare beneficiaries who qualify under the new program.
“The major difference between these pharmacies is how quickly they each process the paperwork, delivery options and how they support your overall care,” Juliana Vocca, a registered dietitian who works with clients on GLP meds, told Newsweek . “Amazon offers the quickest option with a 24-hour turnaround. Walgreens also offers a delivery option. Both CVS and Walmart require in-person pick-up.”
Still, Vocca had concerns over the bridge program in the long term.
“My biggest concern with this program and the increased accessibility to these meds is insuring people receive the appropriate nutritional intervention to support them while on the GLPs,” Vocca said. “I am also concerned with the fact that the program ends at the end of the year. What do these people do afterwards, especially if they never received any nutritional and lifestyle intervention, which is necessary to support their weight loss? Do they end up gaining the weight back? And then what?”
CMS says beneficiaries must meet several requirements, including:
Patients with certain conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, may not qualify for the bridge program because they may already be eligible for GLP-1 coverage through traditional Medicare channels.
Beneficiaries generally must also also meet the BMI and medical criteria related to obesity and associated health risks.
Gabriel Brocklesby, the founder of Peptide Clinic Finder, cautioned younger Americans about misunderstanding the GLP-1s available for the $50 co-pay.
“If you're under 65 or don't meet the criteria, you won't get that number—and that gap is where people get hurt,” Brocklesby told Newsweek . “Every time a ‘cheap GLP-1s’ headline runs, we see demand spill toward unvetted online sellers: sites with no named prescribing clinician, ‘research use only’ disclaimers, or compounded products with no verifiable pharmacy license.”
The process of getting GLP-1s for $50 monthly begins with a healthcare provider.
According to CMS, patients should discuss whether a GLP-...
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