In Mississippi, where obesity rates are among the highest in the country, Medicaid coverage of weight loss drugs known as GLP-1s has been slow to take off due to national drug shortages, prior authorization requirements, and lack of marketing. Only 2% of eligible adults have been prescribed the drugs, which can cost around $1,000 a month.
South Carolina and 13 other states are covering GLP-1s, a class of weight loss drugs, for Medicaid beneficiaries, despite the federal government's decision not to finalize a rule that would have allowed millions to access the treatment.
Medicare to cover weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 a month under a new pilot program, a significant shift for the healthcare system. The program aims to increase accessibility for older Americans struggling with obesity.
With list prices of roughly $1,000 a month, public and private payers are struggling to keep up with ballooning demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, leading some to restrict coverage or explore 'deprescription' to taper patients off the medication.
Millions of Americans have lost insurance coverage for weight loss drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy, forcing them to navigate a complex appeals process or seek alternative treatments. Patients and doctors are speaking out about the challenges of accessing these medications, which have been shown to be effective in treating obesity and related conditions.