Medicare Obesity Care Access Poll

Obesity Care Advocacy Network released the results of a new survey revealing powerful motivation for Medicare Part D plans to participate in the upcoming Centers for Medicare and Medicaid BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health) Model. The poll of over 2,130 older Americans over the age of 65 highlights a critical awareness gap: while millions of older Americans medically qualify for weight management, the vast majority remain unaware of a new program that will, for the first time ever, provide an opportunity to access FDA-approved obesity medications. View the Key Takeaways below or click on the dowload botton to view the full survey results.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•Nearly 30% of older Americans—including 29% of Republicans and 28% of Democrats—have been told by a doctor that they qualify for medical weight management.

•Despite this, a staggering 82% remain unaware of a new Medicare program offering obesity medications (GLP-1s) for a $50 monthly copay.

•Broadly, 57% of older Americans rate GLP-1 coverage as "important." However, support becomes overwhelming among those with a medical need: 8 in 10 rate coverage as "important," and 6 in 10 call it "very important."

•This demand is driving behavior, as half of medically eligible older Americans say they are "likely" to switch insurance plans to obtain coverage, with over 40% reporting they are "highly likely" to do so.

•This priority transcends party lines; 67% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans view Medicare coverage of obesity treatments as a high-priority issue. 55% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans think it is "important" or "very important" that their Part D plan cover GLP-1 medicines.