A growing number of older Americans are dropping their weight-loss medications in large numbers.
Seventy-five-year-old Mary Bucklew had tried numerous diets and exercise routines, but nothing seemed to work for her, until a nurse practitioner suggested she try Ozempic. The diabetes medication was initially only covered by Medicare for Type 2 diabetics, but when Bucklew's insurance plan included it as part of her Medicare Advantage package, the results were dramatic. In just six months, she lost 25 pounds and noticed significant improvements in energy levels and overall health.
However, with coverage eventually being denied due to a policy change by her insurer, Bucklew is now among thousands of older adults who have stopped taking weight loss medications like Ozempic after initial success.
Research shows that older Americans represent a prime target for these medications, as obesity rates are high in this age group and diabetes prevalence increases with age. However, side effects such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and muscle loss can lead to discontinuation.
The high rate of medication dropout may also be due to shortages and concerns over cost. Medicare coverage limits out-of-pocket payments for prescription drugs, but the Biden administration recently capped these costs at $2,100 per year for some medications, including Ozempic.
Some doctors believe that covering weight loss medications like Ozempic should be made available to all patients, regardless of age or health status.
Seventy-five-year-old Mary Bucklew had tried numerous diets and exercise routines, but nothing seemed to work for her, until a nurse practitioner suggested she try Ozempic. The diabetes medication was initially only covered by Medicare for Type 2 diabetics, but when Bucklew's insurance plan included it as part of her Medicare Advantage package, the results were dramatic. In just six months, she lost 25 pounds and noticed significant improvements in energy levels and overall health.
However, with coverage eventually being denied due to a policy change by her insurer, Bucklew is now among thousands of older adults who have stopped taking weight loss medications like Ozempic after initial success.
Research shows that older Americans represent a prime target for these medications, as obesity rates are high in this age group and diabetes prevalence increases with age. However, side effects such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and muscle loss can lead to discontinuation.
The high rate of medication dropout may also be due to shortages and concerns over cost. Medicare coverage limits out-of-pocket payments for prescription drugs, but the Biden administration recently capped these costs at $2,100 per year for some medications, including Ozempic.
Some doctors believe that covering weight loss medications like Ozempic should be made available to all patients, regardless of age or health status.
. It's like they're being told to stop trying if they can't afford it anymore. And the shortages thing is wild too... like, where are they supposed to get the meds from? I don’t think it's that hard to fix the price cap or something. My grandma has diabetes and she's been struggling with her weight for ages, I wish there was a solution that wasn’t so dependent on these medications 
. This got me thinking tho - when life gives us lemons we need to find a way to make lemonade instead of just giving up 
. I mean Mary Bucklew was at her wit's end but then she found Ozempic and it changed her life. But what happens when that solution is taken away? 
We gotta keep pushing forward even when things get tough cuz that's where the magic happens 
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. Exercise, healthy eating, mental well-being... we need to tackle this obesity epidemic head-on! 
And instead of getting discouraged when things don't work out, let's learn from our mistakes and try again with a new perspective 
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. We can lift each other up and celebrate our wins along the way 
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. It's crazy how things can change in an instant, and it's hard to keep up with the healthcare system. I think it's great that she was able to lose so much weight and see improvements in her energy levels - it's a total game-changer! 
But at the same time, I get why people would be concerned about side effects and cost 
. It's like, we want to help people lose weight and feel better, but we also need to make sure they're not gonna suffer from any negative consequences 
. I mean, it makes sense that some people might drop their meds due to side effects, but 25 pounds lost in just six months? That's wild 
! And what about those who can't afford the medication anymore because of the new cap? It's like we're being forced to choose between our health and our wallets 
. I'm not sure if making these meds available to all patients is the solution, but it's def worth exploring 
!
. I mean, Mary Bucklew's story is inspiring and everything, but what's the point if she can't afford it anymore? 
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