Medicare’s $50 obesity drug program is proving popular : NPR

Since July, Medicare has allowed eligible beneficiaries to access obesity medications for $50 monthly. In less than two months, CVS and Walgreens have each reported filling approximately 100,000 prescriptions under this initiative.

This development is part of the Bridge program, a pilot initiative.

While Medicare is legally prohibited from covering weight loss drugs, the administration has found a workaround. Coverage is provided if certain conditions are met, such as having obesity combined with high blood pressure that’s hard to control.

However, those with sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes are not eligible, as Medicare Part D already covers GLP-1 drugs for these conditions. The Bridge program is scheduled to continue until the end of 2027.

“We anticipated some participation,” says Rick Gates, Walgreens’ chief pharmacy officer. To prepare for the July start, stores stocked additional Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo. “There’s been a bit more interest than we expected,” he notes.

Gates adds that while Walgreens had to make some initial adjustments, they haven’t faced supply shortages. Notably, about half of the Bridge program participants were new to GLP-1 medications.

“Pharmacies tend to step in here,” Gates explains, emphasizing the role pharmacists play in helping patients manage early side effects like nausea and diarrhea.

By mid-August, CVS had filled over 100,000 Bridge prescriptions. The chain also offers solutions for those not eligible for the program, accepting various third-party prescription discount cards, manufacturer coupons, and vouchers to lower out-of-pocket costs, as stated in their communication to NPR.

Walmart is also a key player, serving numerous patients nationwide. While they haven’t disclosed the number of Bridge prescriptions filled, they report a weekly increase. “Bridge prescriptions have now been processed at more than 5,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies nationwide,” the company informed NPR.

Millions of beneficiaries could be eligible

Jeremy Shane, a nonresident scholar at the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service, points out that the figures provided by retail pharmacy chains indicate strong interest among seniors in the temporary program.

“These numbers are significant and encouraging for the demand for these medications,” Shane says. Before the Bridge program’s launch, Medicare estimated that around 4 million beneficiaries might qualify. If you consider the 200,000 prescriptions already filled and the potential reach of other pharmacies, this signifies engagement from 5% to 10% of the eligible population in a short time.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not give NPR specific numbers on Bridge program participation. However, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz mentioned in a video posted to the social media platform X on July 29 that 250,000 beneficiaries had signed up, though it’s unclear if they secured the necessary prior authorizations to fill their prescriptions.

Weighing cost and value

The administration has not disclosed the cost of the 18-month Bridge program. However, the nonpartisan health research group KFF estimates it could range from $1.3 billion to $10 billion, depending on participation. For perspective, KFF notes that Medicare Part D spending on prescription drugs in 2025 was projected at $181 billion.

Shane at USC argues that the Bridge program offers a chance to reconsider how we view medication costs. “I think that the Bridge program is actually a great opportunity to refactor how we think about the price of medications and cost,” he says. “And my personal perspective is cost is the wrong way of looking at it.”

He emphasizes the importance of evaluating the long-term value of these medications.

Shane’s research paper from a few years ago concluded that expanding Medicare access to GLP-1s over a decade could lower healthcare costs and enhance quality of life. If individuals become healthier using GLP-1 medications, society might see reduced expenses related to other health issues, such as dialysis and hospitalizations.

“When you think about it, almost all of Medicare’s costs are for people who have multiple chronic conditions and given age, they deteriorate over time,” he explains. “And so the value for Medicare is how can we stop or slow or prevent the progression of disease? And the longer they can do that, the bigger the value is at the end.”