The U.S. health system is moving aggressively to reshape obesity and chronic-disease prevention with two major policy shifts poised to impact millions.
In a landmark move Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a deal enabling Medicare to cover weight-loss drugs — opening the door to significantly expanded access to GLP-1 therapies for eligible beneficiaries. The decision, made in partnership with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, comes alongside a separate Medicare policy change that will reimburse physicians for assessing patients’ physical-activity levels as part of routine care beginning in 2026, further embedding lifestyle-based preventive medicine into the system.
Together, the developments mark a significant federal shift toward medical and behavioral obesity management.
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Under New Pricing Deal
The Trump administration’s announcement represents a breakthrough moment for those seeking access to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have often come at high costs.
Under the administration-brokered agreement, Medicare will launch a pilot in mid-2026 expanding GLP-1 eligibility for obesity-related conditions. Drugmakers will drop Medicare GLP-1 pricing to $245/month, roughly one-ninth the current list price. And Medicare beneficiaries will pay a $50 copay.
Manufacturers will also extend discounted pricing to Medicaid programs and make the drugs available via TrumpRx for no more than $350/month, trending toward $245 over two years.
“This will be a lifesaver,” said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a statement, emphasizing the burden obesity places on patients with limited access to healthy food and primary care.
The move aims to increase access while reducing long-term treatment costs tied to obesity-driven diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and hypertension — conditions that heavily impact seniors and strain Medicare spending.
Medicare to Reimburse Doctors for Physical-Activity Screening
In a complementary policy shift, Medicare will — for the first time — reimburse physicians for assessing patients’ physical-activity levels and nutrition habits during clinical visits. Beginning in 2026, doctors can bill Medicare twice a year for counseling on exercise and nutritional risks.
The policy, driven by advocacy from the Health & Fitness Association and the Physical Activity Alliance, formally recognizes physical activity as a measurable clinical factor and positions exercise as a medical intervention, not just lifestyle advice.
According to the HFA, “Medicare will now pay doctors to assess physical activity. That means more conversations about exercise, more recognition of its impact on health, and a stronger connection between the medical system and the fitness industry — helping more Americans move, feel better and live healthier lives.”
The change affects 66 million Medicare beneficiaries and embeds physical activity into:
- Annual Wellness Visits
- Cardiovascular risk assessments
- Preventive planning discussions
It also replaces “Social Determinants of Health” language with “Upstream Drivers,” a notable shift that elevates physical activity and nutrition to core health determinants.
Together, the two new policies signal federal recognition of obesity as a treatable medical condition and physical activity as a clinical intervention — potentially redefining how healthcare and the fitness sector collaborate.
