PODCAST:
July 13, 2026 ~ Mark Fendrick from the University of Michigan discusses Medicare’s rollout of $50 GLP-1 medications, explaining how the program could impact patients, costs, and access to weight-loss and diabetes treatments.
DETROIT, MICH. ~ A new program called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is being rolled out by the federal government which offers a selection of the brand name medications to certain Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries for $50 a month. The selection includes Eli Lilly’s Foundayo tablets, Zepbound KwikPens, and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injections and tablets.
This temporary program, which started almost two weeks ago and runs until the end of 2027, is the first opportunity for many older adults to receive GLP-1s used for weight loss.
To be eligible, one must have Medicare drug coverage and a body mass index of 35 or higher or a BMI over 27 along with another health condition like prediabetes.
