Novo Nordisk has announced that its FDA-approved obesity treatment Wegovy (semaglutide) is now available through the newly launched Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme in the United States, creating an additional access pathway for eligible older adults living with obesity.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a short-term demonstration programme run by the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that will provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries with access to certain GLP-1 drugs between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027.
Eligible Medicare beneficiaries can now access Wegovy injection and pill for a $50 monthly copay through the programme.
According to Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is currently the only weight management medicine proven to reduce the risk of major heart events, heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in people with obesity and known heart disease.
“The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme offers a new, affordable path to an FDA-approved treatment that was previously not covered,” said Jamey Millar, Executive Vice President, US Operations of Novo Nordisk.
Under the programme, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can consult their healthcare provider to determine whether Wegovy is suitable for them. If prescribed, the doctor will send the prescription to the pharmacy and, where required, complete the necessary prior authorisation process with CMS following the pharmacy’s request. Once approved, patients can collect the medicine with a fixed monthly copayment, and continued treatment with the same GLP-1 therapy will not require repeat authorisation for refills.
Novo Nordisk said the programme is available across all US states and territories and it supports eligible patients’ access to Wegovyspecifically for weight management.
The company clarified that Wegovy will continue to remain available through standard Medicare Part D coverage for its other approved indications, including reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease who have obesity or overweight.
Joe Nadglowski, President and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), hailed the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme as a significant step forward for people living with obesity who have long faced barriers to access under Medicare.
“At the OAC, we’ve long advocated for policies that recognize obesity as a chronic disease and provide patients access to FDA-approved treatment options. This programme offers new hope for Medicare beneficiaries who may finally be able to access obesity medications at an affordable cost,” he said.
He added that while the Bridge programme is an important milestone, it should also act as a catalyst for creating a permanent pathway to comprehensive obesity care within Medicare and across private insurance.
