Trump administration nixes plan to cover anti-obesity drugs through Medicare
I’M MINDY BASARA IN TODAY’S MEDICAL ALERT, WEIGHT LOSS AND DIABETES DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC WEGOVY AND ZYBAN ARE ALL THE RAGE RIGHT NOW. AND TO HELP BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THESE MEDICATIONS, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE HELD A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH EXPERTS. AMONG THE TOPICS WAS ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES. 11 NEWS GETS THE FACTS ON OZEMPIC, WEGOVY, MANJARO AND ZEPPELIN. FIRST, THE EXPERTS SAY THE DRUGS ARE VERY EFFECTIVE. 81% OF PEOPLE ON OZEMPIC OR WEGOVY LOST AT LEAST 10% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT, 41% LOST AT LEAST 20% BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS, THE DRUGS ARE EFFECTIVE AT TREATING HEART DISEASE, KIDNEY DISEASE, AND LIVER DISEASE. THE COST, THOUGH, IS EXTRAORDINARY. ABOUT $1,000 FOR A 30 DAY SUPPLY. AND EVEN WITH INSURANCE, THE COPAY IS IN THE HUNDREDS. ONLY 27% OF EMPLOYERS ACTUALLY COVER MEDICATIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS, AND THOSE WHO NEED THE MEDICATION THE MOST DON’T HAVE ACCESS. JUST 6% OF US ADULTS WITH DIABETES AND OBESITY ARE TAKING THESE DRUGS, SAYS MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER OBESITY TREATMENT AT ALL. UM, AND PATIENTS WITH TYPE TWO DIABETES WHO COULD OFTEN GET THEM FOR GLUCOSE CONTROL CAN’T AFFORD THE COPAYS. UH, MAKING IT OUT OF REACH. AND WE’VE SHOWN THAT MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES GENERALLY ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET THESE DRUGS THAN THOSE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE. EXPERTS SAY THE LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY MEANS MANY PEOPLE TURN TO UNREGULATED KNOCKOFF PRODUCTS THEY FIND ON THE INTERNET, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, AND THOSE WHO CAN GET ACCESS TO THE DRUG SOMETIMES HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE OF
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Trump administration nixes plan to cover anti-obesity drugs through Medicare
President Donald Trump's administration has decided not to cover expensive, high-demand obesity treatments under the federal government's Medicare program.Related video above: Experts say high cost makes weight loss, diabetes drugs inaccessibleThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said late Friday that it would not cover the medications under Medicare's Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare covers health care expenses mainly for people age 65 and older.Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, proposed a rule in late November after Trump won re-election that would have extended coverage of drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy. The rule was not expected to be finalized until Trump took office. Medicare does pay for drugs like Wegovy for patients who have heart disease and need to reduce their risk of future heart attacks, strokes and other serious problems.Trump returned to office in January. The Senate confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday.
President Donald Trump's administration has decided not to cover expensive, high-demand obesity treatments under the federal government's Medicare program.
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Related video above: Experts say high cost makes weight loss, diabetes drugs inaccessible
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said late Friday that it would not cover the medications under Medicare's Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare covers health care expenses mainly for people age 65 and older.
Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, proposed a rule in late November after Trump won re-election that would have extended coverage of drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy. The rule was not expected to be finalized until Trump took office.
Medicare does pay for drugs like Wegovy for patients who have heart disease and need to reduce their risk of future heart attacks, strokes and other serious problems.
Trump returned to office in January. The Senate confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday.
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