Short answerSince July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can use the GLP-1 Bridge pilot to get the Wegovy pill and injection, the Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo for a flat $50 monthly copay that stays the same as the dose rises, through December 31, 2027. Eligibility depends on clinical criteria plus an approval step through your Part D plan. Medicare never covers compounded GLP-1s. If you do not qualify, you can pay cash for brand-name drugs ($149-$349 a month for Foundayo, $1,149+ for injections) or for compounded versions ($49-$299).Prices checked on each provider’s website on October 16, 2026.
What is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program?
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a pilot from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that lets eligible beneficiaries pay a flat $50 pharmacy copay for covered obesity drugs. It began on July 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2027.
- Before 2026: Medicare Part D could cover a GLP-1 prescribed for diabetes, but not one prescribed for weight loss.
- Under the Bridge: the $50 does not rise with the dose, which is unusual, because dose increases are where cash prices climb.
Our 2 favorite GLP-1 providers
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Our Most Popular
1
Exceptional
9.8out of 10
Semaglutide from $69/mo, delivered in 1-2 days
Refund if not approvedFree expedited shipping
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Online doctor review and prescription · Dose changes through the patient portal
Starting price
$79$69/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide $69/mo; tirzepatide $119/mo
- 5-minute questionnaire; doctor review usually within 24 hours
- Free 1-2 day shipping: cold-packed, tracked and insured
- No insurance, no clinic visits, cancel anytime
Pricing starts at
from $69/month
embody prescribes compounded semaglutide at $69/mo and tirzepatide at $119/mo online, ships in 1-2 days, and requires no insurance. Trustpilot: 3.8 from 9,604 reviews.
Read full embody review2
Exceptional
9.7out of 10
Low-cost GLP-1 care: semaglutide from $89/mo
Clear, flat pricingNo insurance needed
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy · Once-weekly injection schedule
Starting price
$199$89/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide from $89/mo; tirzepatide from $149/mo
- Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy available
- Reviewed by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner
- Free shipping, arriving in about 5-7 days
Pricing starts at
from $89/month
altRx sells compounded semaglutide from $89/month and tirzepatide from $149/month at a flat price per dose, plus brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. Self-pay, no insurance needed.
Read full altRx reviewWhich GLP-1 drugs are covered by the Medicare Bridge?
According to reporting on the program, the pilot covers:
- The Wegovy pill and injection (semaglutide)
- The Zepbound KwikPen (tirzepatide)
- Foundayo (orforglipron), Eli Lilly's daily pill approved in April 2026
Who is eligible for the $50 Medicare copay?
Eligibility is not automatic. The program applies clinical criteria and requires approval before the $50 copay applies at the counter. Published reporting mentions conditions tied to clinical guidelines and to what happens when the pilot ends, but we have not seen the full rules in a form we can verify, so we do not summarize them. CMS's own program page and your Part D plan are the right sources.
Ask your Part D plan:
Ask your Part D plan:
- Am I eligible for the GLP-1 Bridge?
- Which covered drugs are on your formulary under it?
- What documentation does my prescriber need to submit for approval?
Lowest-priced GLP-1 plans
The cheapest published plans, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
What can you do if you don't qualify for the Medicare Bridge?
You use the same cash market as everyone else, which has two tiers.
- Brand-name. Foundayo lists self-pay prices of $149 to $349 a month by dose through LillyDirect. Brand injections cost $1,149-$1,799 a month at the telehealth providers we track, detailed in Zepbound prices online.
- Compounded. Semaglutide from $49 and tirzepatide from $89 a month at verified published prices. The trade-offs (not FDA-approved, no trials of its own, never covered by insurance or Medicare) are explained in compounded vs brand-name.
Is GLP-1 Treatment Right for You?
GLP-1 medication is prescription-only: a licensed clinician has to decide it is appropriate, and it is not a fit for everyone. Side effects are possible, and they tend to show up in the first few weeks while your body adapts.
Results are usually best when the medication is paired with simple daily habits, such as balanced meals and regular movement.
For both safety and lasting progress, pick a provider that screens you properly before prescribing and keeps following up once treatment starts.
How is GLP-1 treatment different for adults over 65?
Two clinical points matter more with age.
- Muscle and bone. Weight lost on a GLP-1 includes lean mass as well as fat, and protecting muscle and bone matters more as you get older. That argues for resistance exercise and enough protein from day one, and for a clinician who tracks more than the scale.
- Medication review. People typically take more medications at 65 than at 45, so interactions and existing conditions need a proper review.
GLP-1s on Medicare: what to do first
If you are on Medicare and considering a GLP-1 for weight, ask your Part D plan about the GLP-1 Bridge before comparing any other prices. $50 a month for a brand-name, FDA-approved drug is the lowest figure on this site for as long as the pilot runs.
If you do not qualify, your cash options are the same as anyone's, and the month 1 vs year one page shows what each truly costs. Program rules and prices change, so everything here is dated and re-verified.
A licensed clinician decides whether treatment is right for you; this page is about paying for it.