About 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries have started GLP-1 treatments since Medicare coverage of obesity medications began through the temporary Bridge program in July. Eligible beneficiaries can access covered weight-loss medications for a $50 monthly copay. Eli Lilly reported that approximately 70% of these new patients are using Lilly medications, including Zepbound and the newer obesity pill Foundayo. The company also reported that about one-third of new patients taking oral GLP-1 medications are using Foundayo. The early enrollment numbers provide an indication of how the Medicare coverage expansion is increasing access to GLP-1 medications for obesity among older adults and people with disabilities.
Resource: Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks discusses GLP-1s and Medicare coverage