Medicare's temporary GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage begins July 1

Medicare's temporary bridge program for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (e.g., Wegovy, Zepbound) began coverage on July 1, 2026. The program offers a $50 monthly co-pay for eligible beneficiaries. This is a time-limited coverage expansion. Billing teams must verify patient eligibility under the program's specific criteria and use the correct billing codes for these medications. Update your pharmacy billing workflows and patient communication scripts to reflect this new, temporary Medicare benefit. The program has an end date, so track claims for these drugs closely to avoid denials when the bridge period concludes.