A new study from the University of Michigan reveals that a significant number of older Americans support the idea of health insurance, including Medicare, covering anti-obesity medications. The research highlights that over half of older adults who meet obesity criteria are interested in using such drugs to help manage their weight.
Despite the fact that current law prohibits Medicare from covering obesity medications, and most private insurers avoid coverage due to the high cost of newer weight-management drugs, 83% of older adults surveyed expressed strong or moderate support for insurance coverage of weight management medications. Furthermore, 75% of respondents indicated that Medicare should cover obesity drugs, although that number dropped to just 30% when respondents were asked if they would support higher premiums to fund such coverage.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, are particularly timely given the ongoing policy discussions surrounding healthcare and obesity. “As the nation grapples with the growing obesity epidemic among older Americans, understanding public opinion on drug coverage can help guide health policy decisions,” said Dr. Lauren Oshman, lead author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Michigan’s Medical School.
Currently, Medicare covers certain medications related to weight management, but only for patients with conditions like diabetes or a history of heart attack or stroke. A proposed federal rule could allow Medicare to begin covering weight management drugs for the first time in spring 2025. Additionally, a loophole enabling Americans to purchase compounded versions of certain weight management drugs is expected to close soon, following a surge in cash-based purchases due to lack of insurance coverage.
The study analyzed data from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed 2,657 adults aged 50 to 80 in the summer of 2023. Respondents were asked about their knowledge of and experiences with various weight management medications, including drugs like bupropion-naltrexone and GLP-1 medications. Nearly 37% of participants were classified as overweight, and 36% as obese based on their BMI.
Interest in obesity medications was found to be particularly strong among those with higher BMIs, with 59% of individuals with a BMI over 30 expressing interest in trying weight management drugs. Additionally, 35% of all respondents, including those with a BMI between 27 and 29.9, showed some level of interest in using these medications.
However, only a small percentage of respondents with a BMI over 27 reported using a weight management medication in the past. Among those who had used medications, the most common were phentermine, Ozempic, and Wegovy, with a higher likelihood of interest in future use among those who had previously tried such drugs.
The poll also revealed notable differences in attitudes based on age. Younger participants in their 50s and early 60s were more likely to express interest in obesity medications (38%) compared to those 65 and older (31%).
Attitudes toward obesity as a condition varied, with 90% of respondents agreeing that obesity is a chronic condition influenced by genetics, environmental factors, and medical conditions. In contrast, 64% believed it is primarily a lifestyle choice based on diet and exercise habits. Those who viewed obesity as a chronic disease were more likely to support insurance coverage for obesity medications and express interest in using them.
This research was conducted by a team of experts, including Dr. Dina Hafez Griauzde, Dr. Preeti Malani, and Dr. J. Scott Roberts, among others, all from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
The study’s findings suggest a growing public interest in addressing obesity through accessible and affordable treatments, with clear implications for future health policies, especially for Medicare beneficiaries.
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