big number
More than 66 million. That’s how many people in the U.S. get their health coverage from Medicare, according to the insurance program. About 72% of adults age 20 and older are overweight or obese, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data as of August 2023.
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key background
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, which launched July 1, covers weight-loss drug costs for patients with obesity. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services absorbs the financial risks for the first 18 months rather than passing it on to private insurers. Expanding access to weight-loss drugs, like Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo, comes as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk still charge between $199 and $499 a month for patients outside the Medicare program. Amazon has pushed itself into the GLP-1 market, announcing in April a GLP-1 management program that featured insured pricing starting at $25 a month.
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further reading
ForbesOzempic Linked To Lower Risk Of Violence In New StudyBy Conor Murray
ForbesMonthly Ozempic Cost Slashed After Trump DealBy Ty Roush