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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday proposed expanding coverage of anti-obesity drugs for millions on Medicare and Medicaid, which could cut out-of-pocket expenses for some by as much as 95%.
This move would enable more Americans to afford new weight loss medications that can help prevent type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of death and heart attacks by up to 20%, but cost as much as $1,000 a month without insurance coverage.
The current rules for the Medicare and Medicaid government health insurance programs cover the use of drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy for certain conditions like diabetes, but not for obesity as a condition on its own.
A new proposed regulation, to be published by the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, would require Medicare to cover these drugs as a treatment for obesity, expanding access for an estimated 3.4 million Americans with Medicare.
"Medicare coverage would reduce out-of-pocket costs for these prescription drugs by as much as 95 percent for some enrollees," the White House said in a statement.
This would also ensure access to the medications for approximately 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees, it said.
