Medicare Expands Coverage to Include Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy for Patients at Risk of Heart Disease
In a groundbreaking move, Medicare will now cover the weight-loss drug Wegovy for patients at risk of heart disease under Part D plans. This marks the first time that the program will cover a weight-loss treatment, highlighting a significant shift in healthcare policy.
The new policy, announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allows for coverage of Wegovy when prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in patients with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist, a type of obesity drug that has been shown to reduce appetite and lower the risk of cardiovascular events by 20% in clinical trials.
Previously, Medicare did not cover weight-loss treatments. However, the new guidance is a major step forward in providing access to treatment for patients with obesity and heart disease risk. The coverage also extends to state Medicaid plans, ensuring that eligible patients can access Wegovy as part of their treatment plan.
Advocates, including obesity doctor Angela Fitch, view the Medicare guidance as a positive development in improving access to care for patients with obesity and heart disease. The new policy could potentially pave the way for expanded coverage of other similar medications if they receive FDA approval for additional conditions beyond weight management.
Wegovy’s maker, Novo Nordisk, is pleased with the new Medicare guidance and hopes to see coverage expanded for other obesity medicines used for chronic weight management. The drug maker is among those pushing for Congress to expand coverage for treatments for obesity, recognizing the importance of providing comprehensive care for patients with weight and heart disease concerns.
Overall, the inclusion of Wegovy in Medicare coverage represents a significant advancement in addressing the health needs of individuals at risk of heart disease due to obesity. The move could have a far-reaching impact on the accessibility of treatments for patients with both weight and heart disease risks.
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