Is there a weight loss drug covered by Medicare?

Asked by: Ottis Kling  |  Last update: November 13, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (8 votes)

Medicare and weight loss treatments and medication
Medicare isn't allowed to cover drugs taken for weight loss because the 20-year-old Medicare Modernization Act specifically excludes them (as well as drugs for erectile dysfunction and a few other types).

Are any weight loss drugs covered by Medicare?

Medicare coverage of obesity services and treatments currently includes obesity screening, behavioral counseling, and bariatric surgery, but not drugs that are prescribed for weight loss.

Will Medicare pay for Ozempic for weight loss?

But Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic for weight loss — only for diabetes. Nor does Medicare cover Wegovy, a weight loss drug that uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic. In fact, Medicare doesn't cover any prescription drugs for weight loss.

How to get Mounjaro for weight loss?

To get Mounjaro for weight loss, a person should speak with a doctor in person or online via a telehealth company. The doctor will decide whether Mounjaro is appropriate for the person's health goals.

Is phentermine covered by Medicare?

Do Medicare prescription drug plans cover phentermine? No. In general, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) do not cover this drug. Be sure to contact your specific plan to verify coverage information.

Weight loss drugs like Wegovy access limited by insurance and Medicare coverage

43 related questions found

What is the closest OTC to phentermine?

PhenQ, a supplement by Wolfson Berg Limited, is one of the best OTC diet pills available to support your diet and exercise efforts. The product has a similar effect on the body as phentermine, and it targets several physiological processes to help you lose weight, including appetite suppression.

Will doctors prescribe phentermine for weight loss?

Usually, phentermine can be prescribed if your body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30 kg/m2 or higher than 27 kg/m2 with other health conditions. Taking medication for weight loss is often considered only after other attempts to lose weight.

How quickly do you lose weight on Mounjaro?

Mounjaro Weight Loss Results (Before and After)

Clinical trials studying Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss found the following results: Participants lost an average of 12-22% of their body weight over about 68 weeks when using the highest doses of Mounjaro (10-15 mg) along with diet and exercise.

Can I lose 50 lbs on Mounjaro?

Mounjaro Weight Loss Results

Clinical trials have shown that people using Mounjaro for weight loss experienced the following results: Average weight loss of 12-15% (around 15-20 lbs) compared to placebo groups that lost only 2-3% of their weight. Some patients lost up to 20-25% (30 lbs or more).

How many pounds do you lose on Mounjaro?

Trial participants given a lower 10 mg dose of Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, achieved average weight loss of over 13%, or about 30 pounds (14kg), and nearly 82% lost at least 5% of their body weight.

Will Medicare ever pay for Wegovy?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover medicines for obesity, though they are beginning to offer free counseling sessions for it. Some select Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans for retirees, however, do cover medicines for obesity. If you have one of these plans, please check with its administrator.

How do I get semaglutide for $25 a month?

If you have private or commercial insurance, such as insurance you receive through an employer, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription (maximum savings of $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription).

Why doesn't insurance cover weight loss drugs?

It made some sense in the past for insurance companies not to cover anti-obesity medications, Rind said. That's because many drugs promoted weight loss of only about 5%, the lower limit of what will make a difference in someone's health.

What are the 6 medications approved for weight loss?

The medication semaglutide (Wegovy) received FDA approval for the treatment of obesity in 2021. More common prescription weight loss drugs which have been in use longer include liraglutide (Saxenda), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), orlistat (Alli, Xenical), and phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).

Is there a prescription that helps with weight loss?

The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for weight loss. The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy)—for long-term use.

How do you qualify for prescription weight loss pills?

The BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. Your doctor may prescribe you medicine to treat your obesity if you have: A BMI of 30 or greater. A BMI of 27 or more and you have a disease or condition that may be related to your weight (this could include diabetes or high blood pressure).

Which is better Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Mounjaro reduced the A1C by 2% to 2.3% compared to a 1.9% reduction for participants in the semaglutide (Ozempic) 1 mg group. Mounjaro led to weight loss of 7.7 kg (17 lb) to 11.4 kg (25 lb), on average, compared to 5.9 kg (13 lb) for semaglutide (Ozempic).

Can you lose weight on Mounjaro without dieting?

No, Mounjaro is not approved by the FDA specifically as a weight loss drug. If you are using it alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) for type 2 diabetes mellitus, you may lose some weight, which can be beneficial.

How does Mounjaro make you feel?

Mounjaro slows digestion, helping to make people feel fuller for longer. While it is not FDA-approved as a weight loss drug, this does lower one's appetite and helps many people lose weight.

Can I get Mounjaro without diabetes?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a medication approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it has shown incredible results for weight loss, even for people who do not have diabetes.

Do you gain weight back after stopping Mounjaro?

Unfortunately, it can be a lot easier to put weight back on than lose it in the first place. Stopping Mounjaro means there's a risk for you to regain back the pounds you lost on it.

What to eat on Mounjaro for weight loss?

Steer clear of meals that are rich in sugar, processed, fried, and carbohydrates. Instead, choose foods like lean proteins, grains that are whole, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and water.

Can you lose 20 pounds in a month on phentermine?

Overall, the clinical findings say Phentermine users could lose up to 5 pounds per month and that being said, the first month with Phentermine also maintains lean muscle tissues. While some users reported they lost 5-10 pounds in the first month with phentermine and even more.

What is better than phentermine for weight loss?

Many people who want to lose weight choose a phentermine alternative over the prescription medication. Adipex and Lomaira are two of the best known phentermine alternatives. Both are available on the market and can be purchased online.

Which is better Adderall or phentermine?

Phentermine is the better choice for you if your goal is to shed weight. It is a viable treatment for those suffering from significant overweight. Whereas Adderall is the better choice for helping you to maximize your focus and cognition.