Helping Medicare patients understand their GLP-1 options.

Before this program, Medicare patients struggling with chronic obesity simply could not get these medications — not through Medicare Part D, and not without another qualifying medical condition.

To be covered, you had to have something else going on, such as:

• Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Another qualifying condition

This program changes that. It creates a pathway for people whose only qualifying diagnosis is chronic weight management — so you can finally get the same kind of advanced GLP-1 therapy that others have had access to all along.

The Bridge Program is set to cover FDA-approved GLP-1 medications prescribed for chronic weight management. The two most discussed options are:

• Wegovy^® (semaglutide)
• Zepbound^® (tirzepatide)

Additional oral medications, including Oral Wegovy and Foundayo™ (orforglipron) are also included in the covered options.

During your consultation, we’ll review which medications may be appropriate and available for your situation. Read more about Medicare coverage in 2026.

You may qualify if:

• You have Medicare as your primary insurance and are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. This includes many seniors as well as some people who qualify for Medicare because of disability.
• You struggle with chronic weight management
• Your GLP-1 is prescribed specifically for chronic weight management

You may qualify even if you previously tried to get coverage through Medicare and were denied. This government-sponsored program is specifically for people who were not covered by Medicare Part D because obesity alone was not a qualifying condition.

You will not qualify if:

• You take a GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes
• You take a GLP-1 for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea with obesity
• You take a GLP-1 for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis

These conditions are already covered through your regular Medicare Part D plan. That coverage stays the same — you just cannot access this separate bridge program.

Even if you are not currently on a GLP-1, if your work-up shows any of the above conditions, you may not qualify. Read the full eligibility guide.

You still have options.

We will review whether you qualify for Medicare Part D coverage of GLP-1 medications for other FDA-approved indications, such as type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea with obesity, cardiovascular disease, or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.

If a GLP-1 is not appropriate or covered, we can build a personalized medical weight management plan using nutrition, strength, and other evidence-based treatments. Learn about Extra Help and Part D costs.

You can schedule your consultation today.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program is now available. We’re helping Medicare patients determine eligibility, compare treatment options—including Wegovy®, Zepbound®, Oral Wegovy, and Foundayo—and build a personalized plan that fits their health goals. If you’re not sure where to start, a free 15-minute phone call can help you understand your options before scheduling a comprehensive consultation.

Your first visit is a comprehensive 60-minute weight management intake, available in-person or virtually.

Renee Storm, APRN will review your medical history, weight-management journey, current medications, metabolic health, and personal goals. Together, you’ll discuss the factors contributing to your weight, determine whether additional testing or body composition analysis is appropriate, and develop a personalized treatment plan.

If GLP-1 therapy may be a good fit, you’ll also review your treatment options, including the Medicare coverage pathways that may be available to you.

The initial consultation is $299 and includes a comprehensive review of your medical history, metabolic health, current medications, and potential eligibility for GLP-1 therapy through Medicare.

During your visit, we’ll discuss your health goals, review treatment options, and develop a personalized plan based on your unique needs. If appropriate, we’ll also discuss next steps for medications such as Wegovy® or Zepbound®.

A superbill is available for patients who wish to seek potential out-of-network reimbursement.

$50 per month. Fixed.

If you qualify, your out-of-pocket cost is a flat $50 each month. This is not a copay, and it does not count toward your deductible or any other cost-sharing.

Why? This is a government-sponsored program, not an insurance benefit. Your Medicare Part D plan is not actually covering the medication. Instead, the federal government negotiated directly with the pharmaceutical companies to make these medications available at a set price, and your monthly responsibility is $50.

After the initial 60-minute visit, follow-up frequency depends on your plan and how you are doing.

Many patients are seen every 4 to 12 weeks through telehealth, with periodic in-office visits for body composition analysis and comprehensive progress checks.

In most cases, yes. We send prescriptions to the pharmacy you prefer.

Some GLP-1 medications may be subject to availability, insurance restrictions, or prior authorization. We will help you navigate those issues so you can get your medication from a convenient location.

We can take over or support your ongoing care.

We will review your current dose, response, side effects, and coverage situation. If you may be eligible for the Medicare Bridge Program or another Medicare pathway, we will help you navigate it and provide continued clinical oversight, nutrition guidance, and muscle-preservation support.

There isn't a simple yes-or-no answer. Obesity is a chronic medical condition, and for many people, long-term treatment is appropriate—just as it is for conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

However, some patients may be able to reduce or discontinue medication while maintaining their progress.

Our goal isn't to keep you on medication forever or to get you off medication as quickly as possible. Our goal is to help you find the approach that best supports your long-term health.

Not necessarily. Both medications are effective, but they have not been directly compared in a head-to-head clinical trial for weight management.

Your response to treatment, side effects, convenience, and insurance coverage are often more important than average study results.

For many patients, yes. Oral GLP-1 medications have expanded treatment options for people who prefer not to use injections.

The right choice depends on your health history, treatment goals, and which medication you're most likely to take consistently.

Online weight-loss prescriptions can be fast, but they often skip the comprehensive evaluation and ongoing support that produce durable results.

GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy® and Zepbound® can be powerful tools, but they also come with important considerations. Without the right strategy, patients may experience muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, worsening frailty, dehydration, gastrointestinal side effects, or significant weight regain if treatment is not managed appropriately.

At Storm Wellness Northwest, we focus on metabolic health—not just weight loss. We take the time to evaluate your overall health, review your medications, assess body composition, and develop a personalized plan designed to protect muscle mass, support healthy aging, and improve long-term health outcomes.

Our goal is not simply to help you lose weight. Our goal is to help you maintain strength, mobility, independence, and quality of life for years to come.