Obesity Care Advocacy Network Comments on CMS Rule on Coverage of Obesity Medications
Obesity Care Advocacy Network Comments on CMS Rule on Coverage of Obesity Medications
January 24, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC—The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) has submitted a public comment in support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage of obesity treatments. This coverage is essential to addressing the growing obesity epidemic, improving overall health outcomes, and making America healthy again.
“The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) enthusiastically supports the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule – Section 4. Part D Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications (§ 423.100) and Application to the Medicaid Program to align coverage policy to reflect the prevailing medical consensus that obesity is a chronic disease. We urge the Trump Administration to finalize this policy through the rulemaking process. By extending access to Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved-obesity medications for people living with obesity who lack access to comprehensive evidence-based care in Medicare and Medicaid, this coverage policy will be key to making America healthy again and addressing the nation’s chronic disease crisis.
Medicare Part D’s current interpretation of the prohibition of coverage for “weight loss” medications is not aligned with current medical evidence, standards of care, or the scientific understanding of obesity, which clearly categorize obesity as a complex, chronic, relapsing and treatable disease and view obesity medications as systemic treatments for the disease of obesity, not merely agents for “weight loss.” We are pleased that the Part D proposed modifications align with medical consensus and properly define obesity as a disease – therefore rendering treatment of obesity as a medically necessary service under Medicare. This decision removes a major barrier to treatment of obesity for older adults and Americans living with disabilities, and many dual eligible beneficiaries. It allows for coverage of medically necessary, safe, and effective avenues to treat obesity–including FDA-approved pharmacotherapy.”
OCAN encourages other groups to make public comments during this period to ensure maximum effort toward making meaningful change. For more information, please visit www.ObesityCareAdvocacyNetwork.org.
About OCAN
The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) is a diverse group of organizations who have come together to change how the nation perceives and approaches our country’s obesity epidemic by educating and advocating for public policies and increased funding for obesity education, research, treatment, and care.
To View full comments, please click Download PDF below.