Medicare To Cover Weight Loss Drug to Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
On March 21, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Wegovy, a prescription weight loss medication developed by Novo Nordisk, would now be eligible for coverage under Medicare Part-D for the specific use of reducing the risk of death attributable to cardiovascular disease in overweight or obese individuals. Medicare currently is not permitted by law to cover drugs used solely for chronic weight management, although Medicare may cover a drug that is used for weight loss if it also receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for another medically accepted use, like treating cardiovascular disease.
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