More states considering Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 weight loss drugs
by
Contributor since / Followers
Contributor since / Followers
1 month ago
CR/iStock via Getty Images
- An increasing number of states are considering adding coverage for GLP-1 weight loss medications for their Medicaid enrollees.
- Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Wegovy (semaglutide) are the two most popular — and expensive — GLP-1 meds used for this purpose.
- A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation based on its 24th annual budget survey of Medicaid officials found that as of July 1, only 12 states cover GLP-1s for obesity under the fee-for-service system.
- Although states are mandated to cover all drugs for most FDA-approved indications, an exception is made for weight-loss drugs.
- “A majority of state Medicaid programs reported that cost was a key factor contributing to their obesity drug coverage decisions, though half of states that currently do not cover the drugs noted they were considering or evaluating adding coverage,” the executive summary reads.