Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 would expand Medicare coverage and coordination around obesity prevention and treatment. Key changes include: (1) broadening who can deliver intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) for obesity under Medicare Part B to include non-primary care physicians and other qualified providers (such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, registered dietitians, and evidence-based community-based lifestyle programs) and requiring these therapies to be coordinated with a patient’s referring physician; (2) allowing Medicare Part D to cover obesity medications and weight-management for overweight individuals with related health conditions, with certain conditions and a two-year delay before the new coverage takes effect; (3) requiring a Congress-focused biennial reporting mechanism from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to track implementation and coordination with other federal programs; and (4) presenting findings about obesity’s impact and costs to justify the statute. The overall aim is to improve access to obesity treatment, encourage coordinated care, and address rising obesity-related health and cost burdens among Medicare beneficiaries.
Key Points
- 1Expanded providers for intensive behavioral therapy (IBT): The Secretary may cover IBT for obesity not only by qualified primary care physicians but also by other physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, registered dietitians/nutrition professionals, and approved community-based lifestyle counseling programs.
- 2Coordination and referral requirements: For non-physician providers or community programs, IBT must be furnished upon referral and in coordination with a physician or primary care practitioner, and delivered in appropriate settings (office, hospital outpatient department, compliant community-based site, or other Secretary-approved setting). There must be communication back to the referring physician regarding treatment recommendations and plans.
- 3Medicare Part D coverage of obesity medications: The act adds obesity medications and weight-management for overweight individuals with comorbidities to Part D considerations, with specific definitional alignment to obesity/overweight categories; the change becomes effective for plan years beginning two years after enactment.
- 4Reporting to Congress: The Secretary must report within one year of enactment and every two years thereafter, detailing steps taken to implement the Act and offering recommendations to improve coordination among HHS and other federal agencies to support obesity research and clinical care.
- 5Short title and findings: The bill is titled the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 and sets forth findings about obesity prevalence, health risks, and costs to justify expanded coverage and coordination.