Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program Launches July 1 Offering 50 Dollar Monthly Access

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program on July 1, 2026. The program gives eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to three specific weight-loss medications for a flat $50 monthly copayment.

The covered drugs are Wegovy (available in both injection and tablet form), Zepbound KwikPen, and the Foundayo pill. The program runs through December 31, 2027.

To qualify, a person must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan and meet clinical criteria. Those criteria include a body mass index of 35 or higher, a BMI of 30 or higher with conditions such as heart failure or uncontrolled hypertension, or a BMI of 27 or higher with risks such as pre-diabetes or a prior heart attack.

The program operates separately from the standard Part D benefit. A centralized CMS contractor handles prior authorizations, claims, and pharmacy payments. Part D plans are not required to participate or carry financial risk for these medications.

One important limitation: the $50 copayment does not count toward a beneficiary's annual Part D deductible or the $2,100 out-of-pocket maximum. Beneficiaries cannot use low-income subsidies to reduce the cost further.

The Bridge program was created after a longer-term model called the BALANCE program was delayed indefinitely because too few insurers agreed to participate. CMS says the Bridge will gather data and provide immediate relief for seniors while the government evaluates permanent coverage options.

Beneficiaries already taking a GLP-1 for diabetes or cardiovascular disease continue to receive it through their regular Part D plan, which may have different cost structures.