A new University of Michigan study has found that a large majority of older adults believe health insurance—especially Medicare—should cover medications that help with weight loss. This is important because obesity is a growing problem among older Americans, and many want more options to manage their weight.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, focused on Americans aged 50 to 80. It found that 83% of people surveyed think health insurance should pay for anti-obesity medications. About 75% specifically said that Medicare, the federal insurance program for older and disabled Americans, should include coverage for these drugs.
However, support dropped to just 30% when people were asked if they’d still want Medicare to cover these drugs if it meant paying more for their own coverage. This shows that while many support coverage in theory, cost is still a concern.
The survey included 2,657 people and was conducted in the summer of 2023 through the National Poll on Healthy Aging. The poll asked about participants’ weight, interest in weight-loss drugs, and their views on obesity. The results were adjusted to reflect the national population.
Right now, Medicare doesn’t cover medications that treat obesity alone. It only covers certain drugs if someone also has other serious health conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Private insurance often doesn’t cover newer and more effective weight-loss drugs either, because of their high cost.
However, changes may be coming. A new federal rule expected later this year could allow Medicare to start covering medications that are used specifically for weight loss. This would be a big shift, especially as experts now recognize obesity as a chronic disease—not just a matter of diet or exercise.
Dr. Lauren Oshman, the lead author of the study and a specialist in obesity medicine, said this data comes at a key moment for health policy. “As our nation deals with the health effects of obesity and the high costs of both the disease and its treatment, studies like this can help guide decisions about what should be covered by insurance,” she explained.
The researchers also looked at how many people met the official definitions of overweight and obesity. About 37% of those surveyed were overweight (with a BMI of 25 to 29.9), and another 36% met the criteria for obesity (BMI over 30).
Even though many met these criteria, only a small number had actually used weight-loss medications. Ten percent had taken phentermine, a drug approved for short-term use.
About 7% had used Ozempic (a diabetes drug also known to cause weight loss), and just over 1% had used Wegovy or Saxenda, two newer drugs specifically approved for obesity. The poll was conducted before Zepbound (tirzepatide) was approved, so it wasn’t included in the results.
When asked if they would be interested in trying a weight-loss medication, 35% of all respondents said yes. That number rose to 59% among people with obesity and 29% among those who were overweight.
People with other health problems—such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, lung or heart conditions, or a history of stroke—were also more likely to be interested.
Interestingly, the study also explored people’s beliefs about obesity. Nine out of ten agreed that obesity is a chronic condition caused by a mix of factors like genes, health conditions, social environment, and food availability. At the same time, 64% also believed that obesity is a lifestyle choice based on eating and exercise habits.
According to Dr. Oshman, medical science strongly supports the first view: that obesity is complex and cannot be blamed entirely on personal behavior. But the survey shows that many people still hold both beliefs at the same time.
People who believed obesity is a disease—not just a lifestyle choice—were more likely to support insurance coverage for weight-loss drugs. They were also more interested in taking the medications themselves.
Review and Analysis
This study reveals a strong public interest in expanding access to obesity medications, especially among older adults who are struggling with weight-related health issues. It also highlights a major gap: although many people qualify for these treatments based on their BMI, few have actually used them—mainly due to cost and lack of insurance coverage.
The findings are important because they come at a time when Medicare rules might change, opening the door to broader access to weight-loss drugs. But the drop in support when a price increase is mentioned shows that affordability still matters deeply to people.
Another key takeaway is that public understanding of obesity is shifting. Many people now see it as a serious medical condition rather than just the result of personal choices. This shift in mindset may help reduce stigma and could lead to wider support for treatment options.
As more effective weight-loss medications become available and public opinion grows more supportive, there may be increasing pressure on policymakers to cover these drugs through Medicare and private insurance. This study provides valuable insights that could help shape those decisions in the near future.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies that hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight.
For more health information, please see recent studies about a simple path to weight loss, and results showing a non-invasive treatment for obesity and diabetes.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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