Poorer folks’ access to blockbuster weight-loss drugs through Medicaid remains limited, a new KFF analysis has found.
Only 13 states currently allow Medicaid to cover treatment of obesity using glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1) medications, researchers discovered.
Under the Medicaid system, individual states are allowed to decide whether to cover GLP-1 drugs, which include Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), the KFF report noted.
Among those states that don’t cover the drugs, half reported that they are considering adding coverage in the near future, the researchers added.
But GLP-1 drugs are pricey, and nearly two-thirds of states said cost is a hurdle to approving coverage of the meds through Medicaid.
“Expanding Medicaid coverage of these drugs could increase access for the almost 40% of adults and 26% of children with obesity in Medicaid,” wrote the research team led by senior investigator Clea Bell , a research assistant in state health reform for KFF. “At the same time, expanded coverage could also increase Medicaid drug spending and put pressure on overall state budgets.”