A New Medicare Option for Weight Loss Drugs: What Older Americans Should Know

By: Jackie Fortiér

Outlets: KFF Health News

Published: May 7, 2026

Words: 1,193

Last Updated: 1 month ago


Body Text Preview

Starting in July, Medicare beneficiaries may be able to get a GLP-1 prescription for weight loss for $50 a month. It’s a notable shift for Medicare, which has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments.

The drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are effective but can be expensive without insurance coverage. They’re available in injection or pill form. Even with discounts, current cash prices typically range …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Register for Free Log in