Novo Nordisk’s FDA-approved semaglutide injection and pill are now available through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, for a $50 monthly copay.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a new access pathway for millions of older adults living with obesity, which will run through the end of 2027.
It is available nationwide in the US, across all states and territories.
To access semaglutide through the programme, patients have been instructed to speak with a doctor to check eligibility.
Upon qualification, the doctor will then send a prescription to the patient’s pharmacy, at which they will pay $50 for a one-month supply.
Once approved, refills do not require a new prior authorisation for the same medication.
Jamey Millar, Executive Vice President, US Operations, Novo Nordisk, said: “For many older Americans living with obesity, this is a moment they and their families have been waiting for.
“The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme offers a new, affordable path to an FDA-approved treatment that was not previously covered.
“The fact that [semaglutide] is the only weight loss medicine proven to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in patients with known heart disease and obesity makes this access moment particularly important for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
“We are committed to helping patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals navigate this programme with confidence.”
A step towards access
Novo said that the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge builds on a sustained effort to ensure patients can access authentic, FDA-approved semaglutide.
Joe Nadglowski, President and CEO, Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), said: “The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme is 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 recognise 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.
“While the Bridge is an important milestone, it should also be a catalyst for creating a permanent pathway to comprehensive obesity care within Medicare and across private insurance as well.”
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