Medicare pilot offers GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50 a month
TODAY reports a limited-time Medicare Part D pilot will cut costs for drugs including Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
2 min read
A new Medicare pilot program will let Part D beneficiaries access some GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50 a month, according to TODAY. The program could sharply lower the price paid by eligible enrollees for medications that have drawn broad attention for weight loss.
TODAY reported June 30, 2026, that the limited-time program includes Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo. The outlet described the price as a significant reduction and said NBC News medical contributor Dr. John Torres appeared on TODAY to explain the details.
What is known
- TODAY said the program is a pilot, which means it is being presented as a temporary test rather than a permanent broad change.
- The program applies to Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to TODAY.
- The medicines named by TODAY include Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo.
- TODAY reported the monthly cost under the pilot as $50.
The report framed eligibility as a central issue for patients. A related TODAY health report was titled around whether beneficiaries qualify, but the video summary did not list the full eligibility rules.
The TODAY report also did not specify in its brief description how long the pilot will last, when enrollment begins or whether all Part D plans will take part. Those details will be key for beneficiaries trying to determine whether the lower price applies to them.
Why patients are watching
GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound are among the best-known weight-loss medications in the U.S. TODAY described them as popular weight-loss drugs, and the Medicare pilot would make access less expensive for those who qualify during the program period.
The $50 figure reported by TODAY is the clearest cost detail available from the broadcast summary. Because the program is described as limited-time, beneficiaries may need additional plan-specific information before they can know whether the lower price is available to them.
Dr. John Torres, identified by TODAY as an NBC News medical contributor, discussed the program on the June 30 segment. TODAY said his appearance was aimed at breaking down what beneficiaries need to know about the new access option.
The report did not describe the pilot as covering every GLP-1 medication or every Medicare beneficiary. Based on TODAY’s account, the change is tied to Part D and to the named weight-loss drugs available through the pilot at the reduced monthly price.
This story draws on original reporting from TODAY.com.