Becker's Healthcare November 26, 2024
The White House is pitching broader coverage of weight loss drugs for millions of Americans on Medicare and Medicaid.
The proposal would expand coverage for weight loss drugs to an estimated 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries, according to a Nov. 26 news release.
Here are 10 things to know about the proposal:
- Currently, Medicare only covers weight loss drugs to treat diabetes or other conditions. A handful of state Medicaid programs already choose to pay for weight loss drugs.
- GLP-1s, including Wegovy and Ozempic, can cost over $1,000 a month without insurance coverage.
- Medicare coverage of the drugs could cost the federal government $35 billion by 2034, according to estimates published by the Congressional Budget Office...