The short answer
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge starts July 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2027. You cannot enroll or have a prior authorization submitted before that date — but the people who prepare now will be first in line the day it opens.
Key dates at a glance
- Now through June 30, 2026 — the Bridge is not yet open. No prior authorizations can be submitted yet. This is your preparation window.
- July 1, 2026 — the Bridge opens. Your prescriber can submit a prior authorization to CMS, and eligible members begin paying a flat $50 per month for covered GLP-1 medications.
- December 31, 2027 — the Bridge ends. This is a time-limited CMS demonstration, not a permanent benefit. (The end date was extended from an earlier December 31, 2026 deadline.)
Why the start date matters more than it looks
The Bridge is a brand-new program, and the first weeks of any new Medicare process are the busiest. Doctor appointments fill up, documentation takes time to pull together, and prior authorizations move slowly when everyone files at once.
The single biggest advantage you can give yourself is to be ready to move on day one instead of starting from scratch in July. Nothing about the program requires you to wait until it opens to get organized.
What you can do before July 1, 2026
Everything except the prior authorization itself can be done in advance:
- Confirm your coverage. You need a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage (MA-PD). Original Medicare with no drug plan cannot use the Bridge.
- Check whether you likely qualify. Eligibility uses three tiers based on BMI and certain health conditions. Our free eligibility quiz gives you a plain-English read in about two minutes, and our Do You Qualify guide walks through the tiers in detail.
- Gather your documentation now — weight history, records of any qualifying condition, and your current medication list. This is what lets your doctor file a clean prior authorization on day one.
- Find a prescriber and book early. Use our Provider Directory to find a Medicare-friendly GLP-1 prescriber, then schedule a late-June or early-July visit so they can submit the moment the Bridge opens.
For the full step-by-step, see How to Get the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
What happens on July 1, 2026
Once the Bridge opens, your prescriber submits a prior authorization directly to CMS (not to your own Part D plan), attesting that the medication is being prescribed to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction. CMS reviews it and approves, denies, or requests more information.
After approval, you fill your prescription at a participating pharmacy for the flat $50 monthly copay — the same $50 regardless of the dose or which covered drug you take. Because the Bridge operates outside the normal Part D benefit, that $50 does not count toward your deductible or your annual out-of-pocket cap.
Which drugs are covered when it starts
From day one, the Bridge covers the weight-management GLP-1s: all formulations of Wegovy (injection and tablets), the Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo. It does not cover Ozempic or Mounjaro, which are diabetes drugs handled through regular Part D coverage. See which drugs the Bridge covers for the full list.
What happens when the Bridge ends
The demonstration is scheduled to end December 31, 2027. CMS has not announced what coverage looks like after that, and the rules can change before then. If you are relying on the Bridge for ongoing medication, watch for CMS updates as 2027 progresses, and talk with your plan about your options.
Stay ready
The dates are set, but eligibility rules from CMS can still be updated before launch. The smartest move is to confirm where you stand now so you are not scrambling in July. Take the 2-minute eligibility quiz, then read the full Medicare GLP-1 coverage guide.
Data note
Data as of June 2026, based on CMS guidance at cms.gov. Program dates and rules can change before launch — confirm current details with your plan or Medicare.gov. This is educational information, not medical advice.