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Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: $50 a month
A temporary CMS program that can cut the cash price of certain brand GLP-1 weight-loss medicines to $50/month for eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Prices and rules as of Nov 2026.
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What it costs
If you qualify, Medicare says you pay a $50 copayment at the pharmacy for a one-month supply (28 or 30 days, depending on the drug). That is far below typical manufacturer self-pay list cash prices for brand Wegovy or Zepbound.
Important limits (per Medicare.gov): the $50 does not count toward your Part D deductible or yearly out-of-pocket limit, does not appear on a Part D EOB the same way, and cannot be lowered by Extra Help or spread with the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
What’s covered
- Foundayo® (tablet)
- Wegovy® (injection or tablet)
- Zepbound® KwikPen® only — Medicare says single-dose Zepbound vials and pens are not covered under the Bridge
The Bridge is for weight-loss use that meets program rules. CMS describes it as a short-term demonstration outside the normal Part D payment flow.
Who may qualify
You need Medicare Part D drug coverage (standalone PDP or many MA-PD plan types). Per Medicare.gov, you must be 18+ and meet BMI/condition criteria when you start therapy (summary):
- BMI ≥ 35, or
- BMI ≥ 30 with certain conditions (for example heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, uncontrolled hypertension, or CKD stage 3a+), or
- BMI ≥ 27 with prediabetes, prior heart attack/stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease
You generally are not Bridge-eligible if you already get a GLP-1 through Part D, or if you have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease that your plan may already cover with a GLP-1. Always confirm with Medicare / your plan / your clinician — this page is a summary, not a determination.
How to start
- Confirm you have Part D coverage and ask your clinician whether you meet Bridge clinical criteria.
- Your clinician sends a prescription and, when asked, completes prior authorization.
- Pick up (or receive) the covered product and pay the $50 monthly copay if approved.
Sources (checked Nov 6, 2026): Medicare.gov – Weight loss drugs · CMS – Medicare GLP-1 Bridge · Medicare Bridge PDF (12234) · Wegovy® cost page (mentions $50 Bridge)
FAQ
How much do GLP-1s cost under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge?
Eligible beneficiaries pay a $50 copayment for a one-month supply (28 or 30 days, depending on the drug), according to Medicare.gov.
Which drugs are covered?
Foundayo (tablet), Wegovy (injection or tablet), and Zepbound (KwikPen only). Single-dose Zepbound vials and pens are not covered under the Bridge.
When does the program run?
CMS and Medicare describe the Bridge as operating from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
Does the $50 count toward my Part D deductible?
No. Medicare says the $50 copay does not count toward your Part D deductible or yearly out-of-pocket limit, and Extra Help / the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan do not apply to Bridge fills.
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