Medicare Coverage Of GLP-1 Medications For Obesity Could Raise Net Spending By $47.7 Billion Over 10 Years

If Medicare policies are updated to cover glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for obesity treatment, the rule change could result in estimated costs of $65.9 billion, to be offset by health care savings of $18.2 billion, for a net spending increase of $47.7 billion, according to a recent economic evaluation.

GLP-1RAs are not covered by Medicare Part D, partly due to high drug costs, the researchers stated. Discussions of whether to expand coverage present the issue of balancing fiscal costs against the clinical benefits of treating obesity and related complications.

Strategies and tactics . . .