According to the Congressional Budget Office, a third of Medicare beneficiaries are classified as having obesity. Yet today, the Medicare program denies older adults access to new anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and the same is true for most Americans covered by state Medicaid plans.
To change this situation, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Proposed Rule on November 26, 2024, which has the potential to save lives and improve the health outcomes of millions of Americans. This includes 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees who would gain new access to AOMs and 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries whose treatment with AOMs would be covered, reducing their out-of-pocket costs by as much as 95 percent.
CMS has opened a 60-day public comment period so those speaking for people with obesity can submit feedback on the Proposed Rule. Use this opportunity to lend your support for expanded coverage for obesity medications under Medicare and Medicaid. Click this link for more information.
