PAN joins 85+ healthcare organizations in a letter urging CMS to expand coverage of obesity treatments under Medicare Part D and B

The PAN Foundation signed on to a letter from more than 85 healthcare organizations, patient advocacy groups, and medical associations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, urging him to include access for Medicare recipients to evidence-based obesity treatments in an upcoming proposed rule.

Obesity is a treatable chronic disease that plays a major factor in many other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, lipid disorders, certain cancers, sleep apnea, arthritis, and mental illness. The treatment of obesity requires a comprehensive approach including IBT, FDA-approved obesity medications, and metabolic and bariatric surgery as determined by a health care professional.

Medicare Part D’s prohibition of coverage for “weight loss” medications is a major barrier for older Americans and those living with disabilities, and many dual eligible beneficiaries, to receiving medically necessary, safe, and effective FDA-approved pharmacotherapy to treat obesity. Medicare’s current interpretation and restriction is outdated and does not reflect the prevailing medical consensus of the disease.

Read the letter to CMS Administrator