NVO - US Health Agency Reviews Novo Nordisk's Wegovy For Potential Use In Treating Heart Disease Patients With Obesity | Benzinga
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering the inclusion of Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE:NVO) obesity drug Wegovy in its coverage for heart disease patients with obesity.
What Happened: The CMS is reviewing the FDA's action to expand the use of Wegovy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight, reported Bloomberg, citing a spokesperson in an email.
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and some people on long-term disability, currently does not cover weight-loss drugs. However, the recent FDA approval of Wegovy’s expanded label has prompted CMS to reconsider its coverage policy.
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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has also indicated that Medicare may cover drugs like Wegovy for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions among people with obesity if the FDA expands the label. The CBO is currently refining its projection of other conditions likely to be covered by Medicare, according to the report.
"Regarding Medicaid coverage, states would be required ...