CVS Health, Walmart and Sam’s Club announced they are expanding support for Medicare beneficiaries as the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program prepares to launch July 1.
Established under agreements the Trump administration negotiated with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in November, the program will set a $245 monthly Medicare price for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, with patients paying $50 per month out of pocket.
CVS Pharmacy will begin participating in the CMS’ Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program July 1, according to a June 22 company news release. The company will expand support services for patients using GLP-1 medications, including a new $50 monthly copay option for eligible Medicare beneficiaries and a $49 virtual weight management visit through MinuteClinic.
The company also launched a new MinuteClinic virtual care offering available in 47 states and Washington, D.C. The service connects eligible adults ages 18-64 with licensed clinicians who can evaluate patients for weight loss treatment and, when clinically appropriate, prescribe FDA-approved GLP-1 medications. Visits cost $49 and do not require a recurring membership fee.
CVS said the initiative also includes expanded pharmacist support and over-the-counter products designed to help patients manage common GLP-1 side effects and remain on therapy. The company plans to offer dedicated product displays in select stores focused on nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, hydration and nutrition support.
Walmart and Sam’s Club announced a separate effort to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate the new coverage options. The initiative will leverage nearly 5,000 pharmacy locations, including in rural and underserved communities, to provide one-on-one pharmacist consultations, educational materials on prescription coverage pathways, and digital health navigation tools, according to a June 22 news release.
The moves come as adherence among GLP-1 patients remains a persistent challenge — particularly for older adults, with 60% of patients older than 65 discontinuing semaglutide within one year, and cost, side effects and muscle mass loss among the top contributing factors. Evernorth research has also found that more than 50% of patients using GLP-1s for weight loss stopped treatment within 12 months, with side effects and safety concerns the leading reason cited.
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