By MOAA Staff

A recent agreement between the White House and two drug manufacturers to reduce the cost of some GLP-1 medications does not seem to include those filling prescriptions via the TRICARE pharmacy program, but it could bring more attention to MOAA’s work on behalf of TRICARE For Life patients who lost GLP-1 coverage earlier this year.

The deal would lower the price of GLP-1s Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound to about $350 a month, a savings of about $700, for orders made through an online marketplace set to debut next year. Lower costs to Medicare and Medicaid could lead to expanded coverage of GLP-1 medications by these programs, possibly through a pilot, as early as spring 2026.

[RELATED: How Much Will Your Medicare Part B Premium Rise in 2026?]

TRICARE covers GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, that are FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes for all beneficiaries under the pharmacy program. It covers Wegovy and Zepbound (and similar medications) as a treatment for  other obesity-related medical conditions such as hypertension and sleep apnea … but not for TRICARE For Life users, after an Aug. 31 policy change.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Reverse the GLP-1 Coverage Change]

MOAA is engaging with Defense Health Agency officials and lawmakers on this issue, stressing that:

• Creating separate pharmacy coverage tiers for TRICARE and TRICARE For Life beneficiaries sets a dangerous precedent, one that could weaken the medical benefit moving forward.
  
  
• TRICARE coverage of GLP-1 medications tied to weight loss has never been for cosmetic purposes. All beneficiaries who received authorization had documented comorbid medical conditions.
  
  
• Beneficiaries who lose coverage, many of whom are on fixed incomes, are facing a difficult choice – they can continue with medication that may have greatly improved their health and overall quality of life, but only if they are willing to risk financial security.

[RELATED: Speaking Out on TRICARE GLP-1 Changes]

Added focus on GLP-1 policies may help MOAA spotlight the unfair treatment of military retirees and their family members under TRICARE For Life. You can make your voice heard by reaching out to your lawmakers and asking them to restore GLP-1 coverage for all TRICARE pharmacy users – a critical component of the world-class care promised to beneficiaries.