High prices have kept many Americans from trying well-known weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound. A recent federal agreement could shift that reality.
The Trump administration struck a deal with drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly to lower monthly costs, opening the door for millions of new patients.
Doctors who specialize in obesity treatment say the change has the potential to reshape access, especially for older adults on Medicare.
What the New Prices Look Like
Novo Nordisk will drop the monthly price of Wegovy to $350, while Eli Lilly plans to offer Zepbound starting at $300 per month for beginners. Higher doses of Zepbound will climb to $450. These figures still represent a discount, since people without insurance often pay closer to $500 today.
The agreement also includes a future option: a new class of weight-loss pills could hit the market for $149 per month at the lowest dose, increasing to $399 if the Food and Drug Administration authorizes them for U.S. patients.
Biggest Impact
People age 65 and older are set to benefit the most. Expanded Medicare eligibility, along with an out-of-pocket cap of $50 per month, could drastically improve access. The arrangement is part of a national pilot program testing whether weight loss reduces the need for expensive chronic-disease care, including heart-related conditions.
Dr. Leslie Golden, an obesity medicine physician in Wisconsin, said treatment could reach a broader range of people when monthly costs fall below $200. She expects “a noticeable increase in patients receiving life-changing treatment.”
Access Still Has Limits
Even with lower prices, specialists warn that cost remains a barrier. A national Rand survey found that about 12% of Americans have already tried GLP-1 weight-loss medications. That number remains small compared to the 42% of adults living with obesity. Many patients discontinue treatment early due to side effects, concerns about the cost, or uncertainty about the long-term benefits.
Dr. Caroline Apovian, a professor at Harvard Medical School and an obesity expert, noted that $350 a month remains out of reach for many families. She noted that these drugs are designed for ongoing use, and stopping often leads to regained weight.
Influence on Insurance Plans
The deal also applies to private insurers. Commercial health plans will gain access to pricing estimated to be about 25% lower than current cash rates. Doctors believe broader Medicare coverage could encourage more employers to add weight-loss drugs to benefit packages.
The timeline varies:
Cash prices: Effective no later than January
Medicare: Mid-2026
Medicaid: State-by-state, once each program signs on
The shift arrives at a time when many patients have been losing coverage. Some employer plans dropped GLP-1 drugs this year, and North Carolina’s Medicaid program removed coverage due to rising spending.
That change left patients with fewer options, according to Dr. Sarah Ro, medical director of the University of North Carolina Health’s weight-management program. She described the new pricing as “wonderful news.”
Shift From Compounded Alternatives
Lower costs may also draw patients away from compounded versions sold on telehealth platforms such as Hims & Hers. Doctors said cheaper access to original, clinically tested medications will encourage people to switch back.
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford of Massachusetts General Hospital said she expects a clear movement toward brand-name treatments now that more people can afford them.
Price cuts for Wegovy and Zepbound mark a meaningful step toward broader access in the United States. Millions of Americans have struggled to afford these medications, even as obesity rates continue to climb.
Specialists anticipate increased use as costs drop, especially among Medicare recipients, though long-term affordability remains a concern. The coming years will reveal whether lower prices result in improved health outcomes and lasting coverage changes across insurance plans.