Obesity Medicine Association Releases Position Statement: A New Era for Medicare & Medicaid Obesity Medication Coverage Ready to Announce with Confidence?
Centennial, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - December 24, 2025) - The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) released its Position Statement on Medicare and Medicaid Coverage and Expanded Access to Obesity Medications, detailing the association's recommendations and support for emerging federal policies expected to dramatically improve treatment access for millions of Americans living with obesity. The OMA commends the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and pharmaceutical partners, including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, for collaborating on initiatives that reinforce the recognition of obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive medical treatment.
The OMA's position focuses on several critical areas of expansion and improvement, urging policymakers to ensure equitable, affordable, and seamless access to care. While much is likely to change in the coming months to years, the following represents an initial preliminary OMA Position Statement, with a planned follow-up at a later date when policies are more definitive.
Medicare Coverage Pilots & Affordability (Starting 2026) The OMA supports the initial pilot of GLP-1 obesity medication coverage through Medicare Part D beginning in 2026, with eligibility based on BMI and obesity complications.
Streamlined Prior Authorization (Preauthorization) The OMA urges CMS to approve obesity medications based on clinical criteria and without any preauthorization to reduce administrative burdens.
Expanded Access for Medicaid and Cash-Pay Patients
These federal initiatives are expected to impact affordability beyond Medicare:
Comprehensive & Forward-Looking Care
The OMA advocates for a holistic approach that includes medication and behavioral support.
A Springboard for Permanent Change
The OMA believes that establishing Medicare coverage of obesity medications signals federal recognition of obesity as a treatable chronic disease, creating momentum for the permanent removal of the statutory exclusion on obesity drugs. The lower prices achieved through these initiatives are expected to influence broader payer adoption and generate real-world evidence which could support the long-term sustainability of coverage. The OMA urges all stakeholders (patients, clinicians, and policymakers) to support the full and robust implementation of these new policies to ensure equitable access to comprehensive obesity care.
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About the Obesity Medicine Association
The Obesity Medicine Association is the largest organization of clinicians dedicated to the clinical treatment of the disease of obesity. OMA provides accredited education, clinical tools, and resources to healthcare providers in obesity medicine. Visit obesitymedicine.org to learn more.
Media Contact
Katy Rudzinski
krudzinski@obesitymedicine.org
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278982
Source: Obesity Medicine Association
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