June 3, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease (HECCD) welcomed the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration, which will allow eligible Medicare beneficiaries to access certain GLP-1 weight-loss medications for $50 beginning July 1, 2026. HECCD called the announcement a worthy step forward in the fight to ensure that communities of color and low-income patients — who bear a disproportionate burden of obesity and its related chronic conditions — are not denied access and left behind as these life-changing medications become more widely available.

“Obesity is a chronic disease that disproportionately impacts low-income communities, rural Americans, seniors, and communities of color. For too long, GLP-1 medications have been out of reach for the Medicare patients who need them most. These patients deserve the opportunity to access effective obesity treatments without being priced out or facing other systemic barriers that limit access. This demonstration is a critical step toward closing the treatment gap — but only if patients know they’re eligible and how to access their prescriptions. We urge every eligible Medicare beneficiary to speak with their doctor today.”

What Medicare Beneficiaries Need to Know

Medicare will begin limited coverage of GLP-1s for certain beneficiaries beginning July 1, 2026 and running until December 31, 2027. The demonstration provides coverage for the injectable formulations of Wegovy, the KwikiPen formulation of Zepbound, and the Foundayo pill at a $50 copay for eligible beneficiaries.

To qualify, beneficiaries must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan and have either a BMI of 27 with a comorbid condition, or a BMI of 35 or higher. Importantly, the $50 copay is specifically for weight loss — those already using a GLP-1 for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea will continue accessing their medication through their existing Part D plan.

The prescription process also differs from a standard Part D claim. Beneficiaries will need prior authorization, with their doctor submitting directly to a central system. Once approved, prescriptions can be picked up at participating pharmacies for $50, which does not count toward the Part D deductible or the annual $2,100 out-of-pocket cap.

Obesity’s Toll on Americans

Obesity is a costly epidemic that takes a $170 billion toll on our nation annually, and it’s getting worse. An estimated 42% of American adults are currently living with obesity and some studies estimate that more than half of Americans will be living with obesity by 2030. The burden falls hardest on communities already facing significant health disparities: rural Americans, seniors, and communities of color experience obesity and its related chronic conditions — including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea — at disproportionately high rates.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration represents a targeted response to this crisis, offering eligible beneficiaries a path to treatment that was previously out of reach. As access to anti-obesity medications expands, ensuring that patients can navigate the system and that coverage reaches those who need it most will be essential to realizing the full potential of these treatments.

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The Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease (HECCD) believes that all people deserve the best possible health care. Continuing to allow outdated coverage policies to restrict access for communities dependent on public programs is counter to the principles of health equity. The Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease’s mission is to ensure that community experts, policy makers, providers, and other stakeholders work together to eliminate barriers to healthcare for rural communities, seniors, and communities of color, especially as related to access to care and treatment for obesity.