GLP-1 medications & the Bridge program
A side-by-side look at the GLP-1 drugs most relevant to Medicare coverage — what they treat, how they're taken, and typical results.
"GLP-1" medications mimic a gut hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. Several are FDA-approved, but they differ in their approved indications — which matters because Bridge/Part D coverage is tied to a qualifying use. Below, compare the most common options. Whether a specific drug is on your plan's formulary varies, so always check your plan's drug list.
Quick comparison
| Drug | Maker | Active ingredient | Primary FDA use | How taken | Avg. weight loss* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Novo Nordisk | Semaglutide 2.4mg | Chronic weight management; CV risk reduction | Weekly injection | ~15% at 68 wks |
| Zepbound | Eli Lilly | Tirzepatide | Chronic weight management; OSA | Weekly injection | ~20% at 72 wks |
| Ozempic | Novo Nordisk | Semaglutide 1–2mg | Type 2 diabetes | Weekly injection | ~6–13% |
*Average total body-weight change reported in pivotal clinical trials; individual results vary. See an estimated curve on our weight-loss projection tool. Sources: FDA.gov labeling.
Which drug does the Bridge program cover?
Coverage follows your plan's formulary and your qualifying condition. A drug approved for your specific indication (e.g., Wegovy for cardiovascular risk, Ozempic for type 2 diabetes) is more likely to be covered than off-label use.
Check your eligibility →See your projected results
Curious how much weight you might lose over time on Wegovy or Zepbound? Our projection tool maps a week-by-week estimate based on clinical-trial averages.
Open weight projection tool →A closer look at each medication
Wegovy (semaglutide). Made by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is a once-weekly injection approved for chronic weight management and, more recently, for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in certain adults with heart disease and obesity. That cardiovascular indication matters for Medicare: it's a recognized medical use that can support coverage even without a diabetes diagnosis. In its pivotal trial, participants lost roughly 15% of body weight over 68 weeks. A newer oral form has also been introduced.
Zepbound (tirzepatide). Eli Lilly's Zepbound works on two gut-hormone receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) rather than one, and it posted the largest average weight loss of the three — about 20% over 72 weeks in the SURMOUNT trials. It's approved for chronic weight management and for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Zepbound is also available as a single-dose KwikPen, one of the forms named under the Bridge.
Ozempic (semaglutide). Also from Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss specifically, though weight reduction is a common effect (roughly 6–13% depending on dose). For Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, Ozempic has long been the most straightforward GLP-1 to get covered, because the diabetes indication is well established.
Sources: Indications and trial figures per FDA.gov product labeling; coverage guidance per CMS.gov.
Important safety note
GLP-1 medications carry possible side effects and contraindications. This page is educational and does not recommend any specific drug. Your prescriber will weigh your full medical history.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Wegovy and Zepbound?
Both are weekly injections for chronic weight management, but Wegovy is semaglutide (Novo Nordisk) and Zepbound is tirzepatide (Eli Lilly). Zepbound acts on two hormone receptors and showed higher average weight loss (~20% vs ~15% in trials); Wegovy carries a cardiovascular risk-reduction indication, while Zepbound is also approved for obstructive sleep apnea.
Does my qualifying condition affect which drug is covered?
Yes. Coverage follows both your plan's formulary and the drug's approved use for your situation. For example, Wegovy's cardiovascular indication or Ozempic's diabetes indication can support coverage, whereas a use outside a drug's approved indications is harder to get approved.
Can I switch from one GLP-1 to another?
Sometimes, but it's a clinical decision for your prescriber, and your plan may apply step-therapy rules that affect which drug is covered first. Never start or switch a GLP-1 on your own — your doctor weighs your full history, side effects, and contraindications.