Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program | Walgreens

Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program

GLP-1 weight-loss medications for $50/month.1

Learn about the program, see if you’re eligible and explore how to get started.

What is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program?

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program helps eligible Medicare members access FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medications at a lower monthly cost.
For eligible members, the program lowers the cost of GLP-1 medications to $50/month, helping make weight loss treatment more affordable during the coverage period.

How It Works

Step 1

Check eligibility

See if you may qualify based on your Medicare coverage and program requirements.

Step 2

Talk with your healthcare provider

A provider will determine whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you and can prescribe treatment if appropriate.

Step 3

Fill your prescription

If prescribed and eligible, you can work with Walgreens or a pharmacy of choice to fill your GLP-1 medication.

Who is eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program?

Eligibility for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program depends on your Medicare coverage, prescription, and program requirements. Use the guide below to understand whether this program may be right for you.

You may be eligible if...
You are enrolled in Medicare.
You have Part D or Part C (Medicare Advantage) with prescription drug coverage
You have a prescription for FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medication.
Your prescribed medication is included in the program.
You meet all program requirements.
This program may not be right for you if...
You are not enrolled in Medicare.
You have commercial insurance, Medicaid or another non-Medicare coverage type.
You do not have a prescription for an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication.
Your prescribed medication is not included in the program.
You do not meet program requirements

Sponsored

Medicare beneficiaries: looking for a weight management clinician?

knownwell has board-certified obesity medicine clinicians who specialize in weight care and accept Medicare. They will take the time to review your full health history, talk through your goals, and determine whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you. They will also help assess whether you are likely to be covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program.

If medication is appropriate, knownwell clinicians will write the prescription and support you through the prior authorization process, so you're never navigating it alone. Fill your prescription at Walgreens or a pharmacy of your choice.

Not eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program? You still have options.

If you do not qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, Walgreens Weight Management offers other options for self-pay patients, including virtual care. Walgreens Pharmacy can support select GLP-1 medications starting at $1492 with eligible manufacturer savings cards.*

Walgreens Weight Management

*Prescription based on medical evaluation and not guaranteed. Does not include visit price. Introductory pricing valid for 2 months. Restrictions apply. For side effects, visit Walgreens.com/weightloss.

What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 medications are a class of medications that mimic the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone which helps promote weight loss. They work by regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite and aiding in digestion. This results in weight loss when used along with diet and exercise.

Like all prescription medications, GLP-1s may have side effects and risks. Talk with your healthcare provider about what to expect and whether this treatment option is right for you.

  • Contraindications:
    • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
    • Known serious hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the product
    Warnings and Precautions:
    • Thyroid C-cell tumors have occurred in animal studies; human relevance of this finding has not been determined. Report symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a lump in the neck, hoarseness, dysphagia, or dyspnea) to your healthcare provider.
    • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have severe pain in your abdomen that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
    • Acute gallbladder disease or problems including gallstones have occurred. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of gallbladder disease or complications: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, or clay-colored stool.
    • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) risk is increased when using a GLP-1 agonist, especially if also taking medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, shakiness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, anxiety, hunger, headache, irritability or mood changes, confusion or drowsiness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery.
    • Acute kidney injury: diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems such as acute kidney injury and, in rare cases, requiring hemodialysis. It is important that you drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away.
    • Gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe, have been reported. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.
    • Hypersensitivity reactions: stop using the GLP-1 agonist and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, severe rash or itching, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or feeling dizzy.
    • Increased heart rate may occur, even when at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest, lasting for several minutes.
    • Increased risk of pulmonary aspiration (food getting into your lungs) during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation due to delayed gastric emptying. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking this GLP-1 agonist before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
    • Changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision. A temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy could occur. (Wegovy, Zepbound, or Foundayo only)
    • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: speak with your provider if you are or plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding, as these GLP-1 agonists should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if the potential benefit outweighs potential risk to the fetus or breastfed infant.
    • Do not share your medication pen or needles with anyone else. You may give an infection to them or get an infection from them.
    Common Side Effects
    •  Wegovy: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, belching, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and nasopharyngitis.
    • Foundayo: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach (abdominal) pain, headache, swollen belly, feeling tired, belching, heartburn, gas, hair loss.
    • Zepbound: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, upset stomach, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, belching, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
    • Saxenda: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reactions, headache, low blood sugar, upset stomach, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase (a digestive enzyme), upper abdominal pain, fever, and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines).
    Drug or Food Interactions
    • Delayed gastric emptying may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
    • Use of GLP-1 medications may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives (birth control). If you are using oral hormonal contraceptives, add a non-oral contraceptive method or a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after starting medication and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
    • Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. GLP-1 agonist medications can change how some medicines work, and other medicines may affect how GLP-1 medications work too.
    • Foundayo only: Do not exceed simvastatin 20 mg once daily when used concomitantly with Foundayo.

Support beyond your prescription

Weight management is more than medication alone. Walgreens offers pharmacy support and everyday well-being essentials to help along the way, including oral care, digestive health, hydration, protein and nutrition products. If you have questions about common side effects or symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what may be right for you.

FAQs

  • Medicare coverage for FDA-approved GLP-1 medications can vary by plan, medication and eligibility requirements. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program may help eligible Medicare patients access select GLP-1 weight-loss medications for $50/month.

  • You may be eligible if you are a Medicare patient, have Medicare prescription drug coverage, have a prescription for FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medication, and meet all program requirements. Your provider can submit a prior authorization to determine if your medication will be covered under the program. Eligibility criteria* includes:

    • Age >18 years
    • BMI >=35 when you started a GLP-1
    • BMI>= 30 when you started a GLP-1 with one or more of the following:
      • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg) with two or more hypertension medications
      • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
      • Chronic kidney disease stage 3a or above
    • BMI>= 27 when you started a GLP-1 with one or more of the following:
      Prediabetes (Per ADA guidelines** : A1C 5.7%-6.4% or fasting blood sugar 100mg/dL-125mg/dL)
      • History of myocardial infarction or stroke
      • Symptomatic peripheral artery disease.

  • Eligible Medicare patients can access FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medications for $50/month through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. Final cost may depend on eligibility, medication, and program requirements. Under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, the $50/month cost for GLP-1s are separate from your Medicare prescription drug plan benefits (your payment will not count toward your drug plan deductible or out-of-pocket max). Your visit cost is also not included.

  • Yes. FDA-approved GLP-1 medications for weight loss though the program require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Your provider can determine whether this treatment option is right for you. If your Medicare plan already covers your GLP-1 medication, you should continue getting it through your plan.

  • The program applies to GLP-1 weight-loss medications — Wegovy, Wegovy Pill, Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo. Your healthcare plan can help confirm whether your prescribed medication is included.

  • Yes. If you do not qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, Walgreens Virtual Healthcare may offer another path to explore weight management and FDA-approved GLP-1 treatment options.

  • Yes. Once your healthcare provider prescribes a GLP-1 medication, Walgreens can help you fill your prescription, answer pharmacy-related questions and support you throughout your treatment journey.

Prescribing Through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program

Healthcare providers can help eligible Medicare members access select FDA-approved GLP-1 medications for weight loss through Walgreens. 

  • Step 1: Submit Your Prescription
    If your patient qualifies, follow your usual prescribing process and send the prescription to Walgreens.
  • Step 2: Eligibility Review
    Once submitted, Walgreens will transmit the claim to the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. Medicare processor will review and confirm patient eligibility.
  • Step 3: Prior Authorization
    The Medicare processor will verify information included in the prior authorization — weight loss diagnosis, Body Mass Index (BMI) at start of therapy, health conditions.
  • Step 4: Refills Made Simple
    After the first approved fill through Walgreens, patients can continue therapy without a new prior authorization — as long as they remain on the same covered GLP-1 medication, regardless of dosage. For patient’s convenience prescriptions will be set up to auto fill the next month.

Need More Information? Explore the full CMS provider resource page to learn more about the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program

Disclaimers & Sources

1 $50/month covers GLP-1 medication for weight loss through Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program only; healthcare services (including visit costs) are not included. Eligibility, prior authorization and coverage rules apply. Contact your plan or healthcare provider for details.

 

2 Introductory pricing valid for two months. Visit price not included. Restrictions apply. Visit walgreens.com/weightloss for more details.

 

*https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge/information-pharmacies

 

**https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/diagnosis

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