New Obesity Drugs Could Help Millions, but Medicare Coverage is Lacking
New obesity drugs, including Wegovy and Zepbound, have demonstrated promising results in aiding weight loss, according to recent studies. However, a significant barrier prevents many older Americans from accessing these potentially life-changing medications – Medicare does not cover them. This limitation has caught the attention of lawmakers and drugmakers, who are now pushing for a change in the law to allow Medicare coverage for obesity drugs.
These drugs operate by mimicking the hormones responsible for appetite regulation and promoting feelings of fullness. While their effectiveness has been proven, the current high cost makes them unaffordable for individuals, further exacerbated by the fact that they are not covered by private insurers either.
Fortunately, recent research has revealed an additional benefit to these medications. Patients who take obesity drugs show a reduced risk of serious heart problems, highlighting the potential long-term health benefits they bring.
The rule prohibiting Medicare from covering weight loss drugs was established in 2003 in an effort to curb costs and address safety concerns. However, the conversation surrounding obesity treatment has shifted since then, with lawmakers recognizing the urgent need to address the issue as a serious health problem.
Currently, Medicare covers specific surgical procedures for obesity-related complications, but the lack of coverage for drugs poses a significant challenge for individuals seeking alternative treatments. Estimates of the upfront cost of covering these medications range from billions to trillions of dollars, causing some skepticism. However, certain studies indicate that covering the drugs could save the government money in the long run by reducing healthcare costs associated with obesity.
Support for Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs has been gaining traction, with doctors, lawmakers, and pharmaceutical companies advocating for policy changes. Lawmakers Rep. Brad Wenstrup and Sen. Tom Carper have made the passage of legislation to allow Medicare coverage of obesity drugs a top priority in their final year in office.
Pharmaceutical companies have also joined the cause, actively lobbying for Medicare coverage of these drugs. Advocacy groups, such as the Obesity Society, believe that the growing evidence of the drugs’ effectiveness in preventing complications associated with obesity is shifting the momentum towards Medicare coverage.
Change seems inevitable at this point, as more and more voices in the medical and political fields call for expanded coverage. The potential benefits, both for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole, make the inclusion of obesity drugs in Medicare coverage a matter of utmost importance.
