Eli Lilly announced that its obesity medicines Foundayo and Zepbound will be accessible to eligible Medicare Part D patients through the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program beginning July 1, 2026. Under the program, patients who meet clinical criteria and other CMS requirements may obtain either the daily pill Foundayo or the injectable Zepbound for $50 per month, with coverage running through December 31, 2027. Lilly estimates approximately 20 million Medicare patients may meet the clinical criteria, which include a BMI of 35 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with certain weight-related medical conditions. The program marks the first time eligible Medicare Part D patients will broadly receive coverage for a GLP-1 medicine for overweight or obesity, a milestone reflecting growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease. Patients can begin the process by talking with their healthcare provider and using LillyDirect Pharmacy or a retail pharmacy, with prior authorization required.
Eli Lilly and CompanyMedicare GLP-1 Bridge program expands coverage to ~20M eligible patients, boosting demand for Foundayo and Zepbound.