Medicare Coverage For Lilly’s Tirzepatide Could Be ‘Unlocked’ With Heart Failure, Apnea Claims

The problem that obesity drugs are not covered by Medicare Part D might be alleviated if Lilly’s weight loss candidate is also cleared for indications that are reimbursed. Policy and treatment experts discuss the importance of proving obesity drugs can lower federal government health care spending during a recent discussion convened by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

Lilly Drug Could Be Approved In Obesity By Late 2023 • Source: Shutterstock

Eli Lilly and Company is developing its tirzepatide in heart failure and sleep apnea, in addition to obesity, in an effort to overcome payer resistance to covering drugs for weight loss, Lilly diabetes president Mike Mason explained during the company’s recent earnings presentation.

He described Phase III studies in the two indications as not aimed at expanding the patient population, since obesity is already the broader indication, but rather at addressing reimbursement obstacles

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