The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue to prohibit coverage of weight management medications for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. In response to the announcement, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) issues the following statement:
“The ADA is disappointed the CMS final Contract Year 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule did not address the prohibition of coverage for obesity medications. Obesity is a growing health crisis in the United States that affects over 34% of Medicare beneficiaries and 38% of Medicaid and CHIP enrollees. Obesity is linked to more than 200 chronic illnesses including diabetes, heart, kidney and liver diseases, and osteoarthritis, among other debilitating and costly conditions like sleep apnea. Public comments on the proposed rule demonstrated strong nationwide support for removing the discriminatory and anachronistic coverage restriction. We hope the Administration will take measures in the near future to address obesity, an extremely costly and disabling chronic disease affecting the health of millions of Americans of all ages. It is time this unnecessary and biased prohibition of coverage for obesity medication be removed."
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. This year, the ADA celebrates 85 years of driving discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure —and we’re not stopping. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join us in the fight on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn).
