How much are seniors saving from the program? INDIANAPOLIS — The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services launched its Weight Loss Bridge Program in July to help eligible Medicare beneficiaries access GLP-1 medications for weight loss. The program offers the medications for as little as $50 a month, according to Dr. Janel Gordon, a board-certified obesity care physician and WISH-TV’s medical expert. More than 1 million seniors with Part D coverage have signed up, Gordon said. The program has saved more than $200 million since it began, according to third-quarter reports. The program was intended to bridge participants to the BALANCE program, but that initiative has been put on hold because too few Part D plans have signed on, Gordon said. The Bridge program has been extended through the end of 2027. What happens after that remains unclear. Gordon said eligible participants must have a Part D plan, meet BMI requirements and, in some cases, have a qualifying health condition, such as high blood pressure or prediabetes. She recommended that people interested in the medications talk with their primary care provider and review their insurance options during open enrollment. People who stop taking the medication may regain weight, Gordon said. Some patients also take the medications while managing conditions such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, fatty liver disease or kidney disease. Those conditions may worsen if treatment ends, she said. Gordon said medication should be combined with lifestyle changes. She also urged patients to consult a health care provider before making decisions about treatment. ...read more read less