Starting July 1, Medicare begins covering certain GLP-1 drugs when they are prescribed solely for weight loss under a new federal program. Until now, Medicare coverage for GLP-1 medications has generally been limited to specific medical conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and risk factors related to stroke or heart-attack. Under the new approach, eligible beneficiaries can access GLP-1 treatment aimed at weight loss. CBS reports that the program requires a $50 monthly copay. The policy is described by The New York Times as a pilot program, indicating the coverage change is part of a defined federal initiative rather than an open-ended expansion. The sources collectively describe the same timing and general coverage criteria shift—from prior limitations based on other health diagnoses to coverage focused on weight loss itself—along with the stated patient cost-sharing amount. Overall, the articles emphasize what Medicare is changing, who may be eligible, and the copay structure associated with the new weight-loss coverage for GLP-1 drugs.