STAT February 20, 2024
Sarah Owermohle

Should ACA plans cover weight loss drugs?

Drug makers are doing everything to tap the bottomless well of demand for new obesity drugs — and now, they might get some government help. CMS is considering a technical change that would require insurers to cover obesity drugs in a market of more than 20 million Americans, John Wilkerson writes.

The potential change is a small one, despite its potentially significant impact. Since Medicare can’t cover weight-loss drugs, ACA plans aren’t required to cover them either. But if the agency were to replace ACA’s drug classification system with one that is not based on Medicare, it could require plans to cover the obesity drugs as well as treatments for infertility and sexual...

Today's Sponsors

Venturous
Got healthcare questions? Just ask Transcarent

Today's Sponsor

Venturous

 
Topics: ACA (Affordable Care Act), Biotechnology, Govt Agencies, Insurance, Patient / Consumer, Pharma, Pharma / Biotech, Provider
ACA enrollment increase driven by growth in states won by Trump: KFF
Enrollment Growth in the ACA Marketplaces
Risk Adjustment Reform: Navigating Ideas And Tradeoffs (Part 2)
Risk Adjustment Reform: Navigating Ideas And Tradeoffs (Part 1)
New Rule Proposes Changes to ACA Coverage of Gender-Affirming Care, Potentially Increasing Costs for Consumers

Share This Article