
For years, many older Americans watched popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy stay financially out of reach because Medicare would not cover medications prescribed mainly for obesity. That changes on July 1, 2026, when Medicare launches a new temporary program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The program is expected to give eligible beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 medications, including Wegovy and Foundayo, for around $50 per month instead of the $900 to $1,300 many people were previously paying out of pocket. Seniors who have struggled with obesity, heart disease, sleep apnea, or weight-related health problems are suddenly paying very close attention to these new rules. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming changes.