Chapter 01 · The program
What the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a time-limited federal program that runs from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. It lets eligible Medicare beneficiaries pay a flat $50 per monthly supply of a covered GLP-1 medication used for weight management. This matters because traditional Medicare drug plans generally do not cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss at all, so without the Bridge most people would pay the full cash price.
*12 month plan, billed every 12 months when a physician approves. Renews each term.
One point clears up a common misconception: the Bridge is available nationwide, in every state and US territory, and Medicare drug plans do not opt in. It runs outside the normal Part D benefit through a single central processor. So the only coverage question is whether you have Medicare drug coverage at all, not whether your specific plan or state participates.
Chapter 02 · Who qualifies
The eligibility criteria
To qualify, you generally need Medicare drug coverage (Part D), you must be 18 or older, and the GLP-1 must be prescribed for weight management along with lifestyle changes, not for a condition Medicare already covers. Then one of three BMI tiers applies: a BMI of 35 or higher on its own, a BMI of 30 to 34.9 plus at least one qualifying condition, or a BMI of 27 to 29.9 plus at least one of a shorter list of qualifying conditions.
Start here · one question
What's your goal weight?
Choose a goal to discuss with your clinician. You can change it in your intake.
Three uses are handled by your regular Part D plan instead of the Bridge: type 2 diabetes, moderate to severe sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease (MASH). That is not a denial of care; it means the prescription should go through your plan, because those are already covered indications. There is also a rule for people already receiving a plan-covered GLP-1 in 2026, who continue through their existing plan.
Chapter 03 · Next steps
How eligibility is actually confirmed
This tool is a self-screen, not an application. There is no self-enrollment and no automatic enrollment. Your provider drives it: they send a prescription for a covered GLP-1 and, when asked, submit a prior authorization certifying that you meet the criteria. Medicare's processor then confirms coverage and you receive a letter. You can also self-screen at Medicare.gov/glp1bridge or call 1-800-MEDICARE. A result here of you may qualify means it is worth a conversation with your provider, never that you are approved.
