Medicare obesity drug pilot opens $50-a-month access as Walmart, CVS add support
The 18-month Bridge program began July 1, covering Wegovy and Eli Lilly drugs for some beneficiaries, while retail pharmacy chains expand education, consultations and virtual care amid uncertain eligibility estimates.
Medicare began its 18-month Bridge pilot on July 1, opening a first standalone coverage pathway for obesity drugs for some beneficiaries at about $50 a month. The program includes Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Foundayo and Zepbound, with eligibility estimates ranging from nearly 4 million people based on KFF analysis to single-digit millions according to Medicare Director Chris Klomp, while drugmakers have cited figures as high as 20 million. As demand builds, Walmart, Sam's Club and CVS Health are expanding education, pharmacy support, consultations and virtual care to help seniors understand eligibility, manage side effects and navigate prior authorization, inventory constraints and low awareness of the new benefit.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: The U.S. agency that runs Medicare and launched the 18-month Bridge pilot.
- prior authorization: Insurer approval required before treatment.
- GLP-1s: A class of weight-loss and diabetes drugs that includes the medicines in the pilot.