GLP-1s: US expands health coverage to include elderly and disabled people, making millions more eligible

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The US has expanded health coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs to include elderly and disabled populations, potentially benefiting millions. The program approved specific drugs and aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare patients through 2027.

Millions more Americans will now have access to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss under a new programme launched by the US government.The US administration approved the use of Zepbound/Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Foundayo (orforglipron), and Wegovy (semaglutide) for obesity under a temporary health insurance programme for US seniors and people with long term disabilities.The programme will run until the end of 2027 and will help some of the 40.3% of US adults with obesity (around 112.4 million people) to get access to these drugs.“The out-of-pocket expense will only be $50 [£37; €44] a month, which is fantastic for the Medicare patient,” said C Michael White, distinguished professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut.While the number of potential beneficiaries is high, it is not clear how many will ultimately benefit from the programme. The drugs are already covered under Medicare part D for other indications: type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive...