Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does** This legislation would expand Medicare coverage for obesity treatment in two main ways. First, it would allow Medicare to pay for intensive behavioral therapy (counseling and treatment programs) for obesity from a wider range of healthcare providers—not just primary care doctors, but also specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and approved counseling programs. Second, the bill would add weight-loss and obesity medications to Medicare's prescription drug coverage, making these drugs more affordable for eligible seniors who are overweight or obese. **Who It Affects** The primary beneficiaries would be Medicare recipients (primarily seniors 65 and older) who struggle with obesity or weight management.
The bill could also affect healthcare providers like specialists and counselors who would gain new opportunities to bill Medicare for obesity treatment services. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and is currently in committee review. It has not yet been voted on or passed by either chamber of Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner.The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.