@Nurpur India,
Published on November 8, 2025,
By Pawan,
A landmark deal announced by the Trump administration will allow Medicare beneficiaries to pay only $50 a month for GLP-1 weight loss medications starting in 2026. This expanded coverage comes with new eligibility criteria and significant drug price reductions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what changes to expect.cnn
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| Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs |
Highlight Key Points
- Medicare will pay just $245 monthly for GLP-1 drugs, down from over $1,000 currently.cnn
- Eligible beneficiaries will have a $50 copay, dramatically lowering out-of-pocket costs.axios
- Coverage will expand to include seniors with obesity and related chronic conditions, increasing eligibility by about 10%.axios
- The TrumpRx direct-to-consumer portal will launch in early 2026, offering additional low-cost drug options.cnn
- This price reduction deal is designed to be cost-neutral for Medicare, unlike previous proposals projected to increase spending.cnn
Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs, Is About to Change Dramatically in 2026, -Here’s What You Need to Know,
Introduction for Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
Beginning mid-2026, Medicare coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound, and Ozempic will change significantly due to a new agreement between the Trump administration and major drug manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
This historic deal will expand patient access to these effective medications while slashing prices, helping to close long-standing gaps in obesity and diabetes treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.axios+1
What Exactly Will Change?
Under the new agreement, Medicare will be able to purchase GLP-1 drugs for about $245 per dose, a steep drop from over $1,000 per monthly supply seen today.
This price cut will allow much broader Medicare coverage of these drugs beyond prior diabetes-only indications to include obesity and related conditions like cardiovascular disease and prediabetes.
Beneficiaries qualifying under the new criteria will pay a $50 monthly copay for these medications, compared to the hundreds they currently face out-of-pocket.usatoday+1
Expanded Eligibility
The policy will extend coverage to approximately 10% more Medicare enrollees, specifically targeting seniors who are:
- Severely obese (BMI > 35)
- Overweight with prediabetes or cardiovascular disease
- Obese with advanced kidney disease, heart failure, or uncontrolled hypertension
This broader access targets high-risk populations who stand to benefit the most but had limited access due to historical Medicare coverage restrictions.usatoday+1
TrumpRx: The New Direct-to-Consumer Portal
Coinciding with the expanded coverage, a new online platform called TrumpRx will launch in early 2026.
This portal will allow Medicare enrollees, Medicaid recipients, and the general public to purchase these medications at negotiated lower prices without middlemen. Initial prices on TrumpRx for popular
GLP-1 pills will start as low as $149 per month. This initiative is part of a government effort to promote price transparency and affordability.investopedia+1
Cost and Budget Impact
Unlike earlier proposals from the Biden administration estimated to increase Medicare spending by approximately $25-$40 billion over a decade, this Trump-era agreement aims for price reductions that make expanded coverage cost-neutral to Medicare.
Manufacturers have agreed to voluntary price cuts, reflecting a broader strategy to align U.S. drug prices more closely with other developed nations. This could fundamentally reshape the economics of obesity treatment for seniors.reuters+2
Current Limitations and Unknowns
While the new rules represent a major shift, some details await clarification, including the full scope of coverage for oral GLP-1 pills and incorporation into Medicare Part D plans.
Additionally, Medicare still does not cover these drugs solely for obesity in all cases, maintaining some restrictions. Patients and providers will need to navigate enrollment and coverage criteria when the program launches.gi+2
What This Means for Patients
For millions of Medicare beneficiaries, the upcoming changes will make effective weight loss drugs more accessible and affordable, correcting longstanding barriers to treatment. By lowering costs and expanding eligibility,
the federal government hopes to reduce obesity-related health complications—including diabetes, heart disease, and mobility issues—ultimately improving quality of life among seniors.usatoday+1
Conclusion
The Medicare landscape for GLP-1 weight loss medications is poised for transformative change in 2026. Thanks to the pioneering deal negotiated by the Trump administration, these expensive but life-changing drugs will become more affordable and available to a larger segment of America's seniors.
While certain restrictions remain, this represents one of the first major federal initiatives to address the obesity epidemic through prescription medication access at scale.axios+2
References
- CNN: Certain obesity drugs cost as little as $149 and Medicare copay $50 starting 2026cnn
- Axios: Trump announces Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs expanding eligibilityaxios
- USA Today: Trump announces Medicare coverage price cuts for weight loss drugsusatoday
- Investopedia: Medicare to cover GLP-1 drugs for as little as $50 a month under new dealinvestopedia
- Fortune: Budget implications of Trump drug pricing deal for Medicare 2026fortune
Read- more information for Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs, Is About to Change Dramatically in 2026,
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