Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 amends the Social Security Act to improve how obesity is prevented and treated through Medicare. The bill expands who can furnish intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) for obesity beyond traditional primary care physicians, so long as such therapy is referred and coordinated with a primary care clinician and delivered in appropriate settings. It also broadens Medicare Part D coverage to include obesity medications and certain weight-loss treatments for individuals who are overweight with related comorbidities, effective for plan years beginning two years after enactment. Additionally, the bill requires regular reporting by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on implementing the act and coordinating related programs, with biennial updates to Congress. Overall, the measure aims to increase access to obesity treatment and integrate care across providers, with a focus on the older adult population and those covered by Medicare.
Key Points
- 1Expands coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity to include physicians (not just qualified PCPs), other health professionals (e.g., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, registered dietitians), and approved community-based lifestyle programs, all subject to coordination with a primary care provider.
- 2Requires IBT provided by non-PCP professionals or community programs to be referred by and coordinated with a physician or primary care practitioner, and delivered in specified settings (office, hospital outpatient department, HIPAA-compliant community sites, or other Secretary-specified settings); therapists must communicate treatment plans back to the referring clinician.
- 3Adds obesity treatment and related weight-loss management medications to Medicare Part D coverage, with effective date for plan years beginning two years after enactment.
- 4Applies obesity/weight-loss medications under Part D with conditions that limit coverage to use for obesity treatment or weight management for overweight individuals with comorbidities (as defined in the bill).
- 5Requires the Secretary to report to Congress about steps taken to implement the act and to improve coordination of obesity research and care programs, with initial reporting within one year and every two years thereafter.