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Medicaid covers GLP-1 meds for obesity in just 13 states, analysis finds
Medical Xpress November 5, 2024
Poorer folks’ access to blockbuster weight-loss drugs through Medicaid remains limited, a new KFF analysis has found. Only 13 states currently allow Medicaid to cover treatment of obesity using glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1) medications, researchers discovered.
Under the Medicaid system, individual states are allowed to decide whether to cover GLP-1 drugs, which include Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), the KFF report noted.
Among those states that don’t cover the drugs, half reported that they are considering adding coverage in the near future, the researchers added.
But GLP-1 drugs are pricey, and nearly two-thirds of states said cost is a hurdle to approving coverage of the meds through Medicaid.
“Expanding Medicaid coverage of these drugs could increase access for...
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