Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
Key claim: The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 would expand Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity to a broader range of providers and add coverage of obesity/weight-loss drugs under Medicare Part D.
Abstract
(HR4231 · 119th Congress) Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This 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 (2025-06-27): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Why this matters
Medicare Part D is statutorily barred from covering drugs used for weight loss, so this bill would materially change what obesity medications (including GLP-1 class drugs approved for weight management) Medicare beneficiaries can access and what they pay. Broadening the set of providers who can bill for intensive behavioral therapy for obesity would also expand where beneficiaries can receive covered counseling beyond primary care settings.