As Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge program gets underway in earnest and questions remain about the long-term use of these drugs, Eli Lilly is offering a new look at how older adults fare on its medication, Zepbound.
The study—published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism—represents first-of-its-kind data in this age group, the drugmaker said in an announcement. The analysis found that adults over the age of 55 who take Zepbound to manage their weight over time had lower healthcare costs than other adults.
For example, at six months on the drug, costs were as much as 15% lower for patients, averaging savings of up to $181 each month, the study found.
In addition, the patients taking Zepbound had lower hospital admission and emergency visit rates, while rates were higher for routine outpatient care or physician office visits, indicating they were more engaged with a care management program, the study found.
"This compelling real-world evidence highlights the impact that treating obesity with Zepbound can have on older patients and the healthcare system," said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president at Lilly USA and Global Customer Capabilities, in the announcement. "This analysis shows treatment costs can be lowered, and in some cases more than covered, by savings elsewhere in care—including for payers and in Medicare."
"As coverage expands across Medicare, states and employers, these data offer evidence on the cost implications of long-term obesity treatment and should help shape decisions," Yuffa said.
The data was released in the same week as a new employer survey from the Business Group on Health, which shows the number of employers offering coverage for GLP-1s decreased from 2025 and 2026 amid questions about the long-term efficacy and impacts of these drugs.
Sixty percent of employers surveyed covered GLP-1s for weight loss in 2026, down from 72% in 2025. Business Group CEO Ellen Kelsay said the cost of these drugs is forcing employers to consider trade-offs in access, as benefits from these drugs were taking time to materialize.
While the Eli Lilly study focuses on older adults, similar questions have been raised about broadening Medicare coverage for GLP-1s for weight loss, too. Concerns from insurers delayed a broader GLP-1 coverage model in Medicare, where they would cover the cost, while the federal government is covering the expenses in the temporary Bridge model.
The study found that at six months of treatment, the potential cost savings from using Zepbound covered the Bridge program's monthly cost of $195 per patient, while at a year, savings exceeded the cost of Zepbound. This suggests that treatment over the long term would generate meaningful savings for older people, Lilly said.
The Bridge program launched on July 1 and will remain in place through the end of 2027. The more complete model has been delayed indefinitely. Both Eli Lilly and rival Novo Nordisk are participants in the Bridge program.