- $50 a month for Wegovy® (pen or pill), Foundayo® or the Zepbound® KwikPen, for eligible Medicare Part D members.
- Runs from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.
- You need prior authorization and a qualifying BMI: 35 or more, or 30 or more or 27 or more with certain health conditions.
- Not for people with type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or MASH (they use regular Part D coverage), or those whose GLP-1 Part D already paid for in 2026.
- The $50 does not count toward your Part D deductible or out-of-pocket cap.
What the Bridge is
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a temporary program run by CMS that lets eligible Medicare Part D members get certain GLP-1 medications for weight loss for a flat $50 a month 12. It started on July 1, 2026 and is scheduled to run until December 31, 2027. Before it, Medicare drug plans were generally barred from covering medication used only for weight loss.
Which medications are included
| Medication | Included? |
|---|---|
| Wegovy® penSemaglutide, weekly injection | Yes |
| Wegovy® pillSemaglutide, daily | Yes |
| Foundayo®Orforglipron, daily pill | Yes |
| Zepbound® KwikPenTirzepatide, weekly multi-dose pen | Yes |
| Zepbound® single-dose pens and vials | No |
| Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide | No |
As listed by CMS for Part D plans, read October 19, 2026 4.
Who qualifies
You need to be 18 or over, enrolled in a Part D plan, and have prior authorization from your plan. Your BMI, measured when you start treatment, must fall into one of three groups 3:
- BMI 35 or more, with no other condition required.
- BMI 30 or more with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease stage 3a or worse.
- BMI 27 or more with prediabetes, a previous heart attack or stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease.
People with type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea or MASH, because their regular Part D coverage applies to GLP-1s prescribed for those conditions, and anyone whose GLP-1 was already paid for under Part D in 2026 3.
How to get it
- Talk to your doctor about whether a GLP-1 is right for you and which one. They will need to record your BMI and any qualifying conditions.
- Your doctor requests prior authorization from your Part D plan, showing you meet the criteria.
- Once approved, fill the prescription at a pharmacy in your plan's network and pay $50 for each month's supply.
Ask your plan how it handles the Bridge before you start; plans may differ in paperwork and pharmacy arrangements 4.
What the $50 does and does not cover
- The $50 is a flat amount for each month's supply 2.
- It does not count toward your Part D deductible or your annual out-of-pocket cap 1.
- Manufacturer savings cards and cash offers, including those linked from TrumpRx, exclude people on Medicare, so the Bridge is the way to pay less 5.
If you do not qualify
If your BMI or health history falls outside the criteria, you can still buy brand-name GLP-1s at the manufacturers' cash prices, from $149 a month for the Wegovy® pill, with a prescription. Our guide to paying without insurance sets out every option and what each dose costs. Telehealth programs can provide the prescription if your doctor will not.
Questions and answers
Does Medicare cover Wegovy for weight loss?
Through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, yes, for eligible Part D members from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, at $50 a month. You need prior authorization and must meet BMI and health criteria.
Does Medicare cover Zepbound?
The Bridge covers the Zepbound® KwikPen. Zepbound® single-dose pens and vials are not included.
What BMI do I need for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge?
A BMI of 35 or more on its own; 30 or more with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, uncontrolled high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease stage 3a or worse; or 27 or more with prediabetes, a previous heart attack or stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease. BMI is measured when treatment starts.
I have type 2 diabetes. Can I use the Bridge?
No. People with type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea or MASH are covered through their regular Part D benefit for those conditions instead.
Does the $50 count toward my Part D out-of-pocket maximum?
No. The $50 monthly payment does not count toward the Part D deductible or the annual out-of-pocket cap.
Can I use a manufacturer coupon or TrumpRx with Medicare?
No. Manufacturer savings cards and the cash-price offers TrumpRx links to exclude people on Medicare. The Bridge is the Medicare route.
What happens after 2027?
The Bridge is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027. CMS has described a longer-term approach, but its details for Part D had not been confirmed when we checked.
Keep reading
Sources
- CMS: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge launch announcement
- Medicare.gov: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, GLP-1 drugs for $50 a month (publication 12234)
- CMS: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, information for providers
- CMS: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, information for Part D plans
- Eli Lilly: Zepbound® savings card terms (government program exclusion)
How we write our guides. We read the manufacturers' prescribing information, FDA and other official sources, published trials and each provider's own pricing and policies, and link to them so you can check our work. Figures were correct when we last checked them on October 19, 2026; prices and rules change often, so confirm them before you act. Medical disclaimer. This guide is general information, not medical advice, and no one at ProviderCompare is your clinician. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping any medication. Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness or quality. Brand names are trademarks of their owners, used for identification only.