By Lew Kizer — 2026-10-17 — Health & Nutrition
The short answer
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026 for 2027 coverage. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, which began July 1, 2026, lets eligible beneficiaries with obesity get Foundayo, Wegovy or the Zepbound KwikPen for $50 a month. It requires Medicare Part D drug coverage and specific BMI and health criteria, so people using or considering a GLP-1 should confirm their drug coverage during open enrollment.
Key facts
- Open enrollment: Oct. 15–Dec. 7, 2026, for 2027 coverage.
- GLP-1 Bridge: $50 a month for Foundayo, Wegovy (injection or tablet) or Zepbound KwikPen.
- Requires Part D coverage (standalone drug plan or Medicare plan with drug coverage).
- Eligibility includes BMI 35+, or lower BMI thresholds with specific conditions; excludes type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and fatty liver disease, which are handled through Part D.
- CMS lists the Bridge as running through Dec. 31, 2027.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2026 — Medicare's annual open enrollment period began October 15. For people living with obesity, the Obesity Action Coalition calls this year's window “especially important.”
This article is general information, not insurance or medical advice. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or a licensed counselor for help with your plan.
The GLP-1 Bridge in brief
Since July 1, 2026, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge has let eligible beneficiaries get Foundayo (tablet), Wegovy (injection or tablet) or the Zepbound KwikPen for $50 a month, regardless of income. The $50 does not count toward the Part D deductible or out-of-pocket limit. CMS lists the program as running through December 31, 2027.
To qualify you need Part D drug coverage and must meet one of these: BMI of 35 or higher; BMI of 30 or higher with certain heart failure, hard-to-control high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease; or BMI of 27 or higher with prediabetes or a prior heart attack, stroke or blocked arteries. People with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease are excluded because those uses are covered through Part D.
What to check before Dec. 7
- Confirm you will have Part D coverage in 2027, either a standalone drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
- Check whether your current medicines are on the plan's 2027 formulary, and any prior authorization or step therapy rules.
- If you use a GLP-1 for diabetes or another Part D use, confirm how your plan covers it.
- Check whether your doctors stay in network for 2027.
- Ask about Extra Help if your income is limited.
Early figures cited by Medical Daily put Bridge enrollment above 500,000 in its first two months.
The food side of a smaller appetite
GLP-1 medicines reduce appetite, and adults over 65 already face muscle loss with age. Guidance for GLP-1 therapy emphasizes protein, fluids and strength training. Our new guide, GLP-1 after 65: eating to protect muscle, goes deeper, and our Medicare Advantage meal benefit page explains what some plans cover for meals.
“When you're on a GLP-1 medication, what you eat matters more, not less.” — Lew Kizer, Founder, SmashMeals
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
Lower drug prices will bring a lot of people 65 and older to GLP-1 medicines for the first time. Smaller appetites at that age make protein and muscle a real concern. We are not a Medicare plan and cannot advise on coverage, but we can make the eating part simpler.
Frequently asked questions
When is Medicare open enrollment in 2026?
October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
What is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge?
A temporary CMS program that began July 1, 2026. Eligible beneficiaries with obesity can get Foundayo, Wegovy or the Zepbound KwikPen for $50 a month. You need Part D drug coverage and must meet BMI and health criteria.
Can I get a GLP-1 through the Bridge if I have type 2 diabetes?
No. People with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease are not eligible for the Bridge because GLP-1s for those uses are handled through Part D. Check your Part D plan's formulary.
Sources and credits
Follow the original sources for context and verification. A reference is not an endorsement of SmashMeals.
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: GLP-1 drugs for $50 a month (fact sheet) (opens in a new tab)
Medicare.gov / CMS
Why it matters: Official eligibility rules, covered drugs and steps.
- Medicare open enrollment: this is the year to check your coverage (opens in a new tab)
Obesity Action Coalition
Why it matters: Patient-advocacy checklist for open enrollment, updated Oct. 15, 2026.
- Over half a million Medicare enrollees join $50 GLP-1 Bridge (opens in a new tab)
Medical Daily
Why it matters: Early enrollment figures and the program's end date.