-
First-of-its-kind study shows sustained Zepbound use in older adults with obesity lowers costs, reinforcing the potential value of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program
-
Individuals treated with Zepbound had lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --Eli Lilly and Company(NYSE: LLY) today announced results from a real-world study of adults over 55 with overweight or obesity, which found that staying on Zepbound (tirzepatide) for weight management lowered healthcare costs over time relative to similar untreated adults, driven in part by fewer hospital admissions and emergency department visits. For adults over the age of 55, including patients in Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge program, these lower costs translate into meaningful savings as early as 12 months into treatment. This is the first study of its kind in this age group, and the results were published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Key findings1
The study estimated cost differences over time, excluding Zepbound costs,2 using two established methods. Both approaches yielded, on average, lower monthly healthcare costs with sustained Zepbound use versus those who are untreated.
-
At six months, costs were up to 15% lower (up to $181 per patient, per month).
-
The difference widened by 12 months, with an estimated difference of up to $607 per patient, per month, reflecting on average up to 38% lower costs than those not treated.3
-
In the primary analysis, adults older than 55 treated with Zepbound had lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits across every follow-up period, and numerically higher rates of routine outpatient and office visits, consistent with greater engagement in routine care.4
-
Beginning at six months, estimated healthcare cost savings nearly covered the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program's monthly treatment cost of $195 per patient, per month. Starting at 12 months, estimated healthcare cost savings exceeded the cost of Zepbound treatment, suggesting that sustained treatment in an aging population may lead to meaningful cost savings.1
"This compelling real-world evidence highlights the impact that treating obesity with Zepbound can have on older patients and the healthcare system," saidIlya Yuffa, executive vice president and president,Lilly USAand Global Customer Capabilities. "This analysis shows treatment costs can be lowered, and in some cases more than covered, by savings elsewhere in care – including for payers and in Medicare. As coverage expands across Medicare, states and employers, these data offer evidence on the cost implications of long-term obesity treatment and should help shape decisions."
About this study
Who was included in the study?
This retrospective observational cohort study utilized the Komodo's Healthcare Map, which includes de-identified claims data from over 330 million individuals enrolled inU.S. healthcare plans. The analysis included 15,843 adults aged above 55 (mean age 64.5 years) with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with at least one obesity-related complication, who initiated Zepbound betweenNovember 2023andSeptember 2025. Each Zepbound user was matched 1:1 with a control who met the same eligibility criteria but did not initiate any GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. People were matched based on their baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, obesity-related complications and healthcare utilization patterns. All participants had at least 12 months of continuous enrollment prior to beginning the study.
How was the study analyzed?
To account for the fact that not all patients remained in the study for the same length of time, researchers used two complementary analytic methods: one that directly compared costs between the matched pairs (pairwise analysis, the secondary analysis), and another that statistically reweighted the results so that patients who left the study early were still fairly represented, correcting for any differences between those who stayed on Zepbound and those who didn't (Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting analysis, the primary analysis). Both approaches showed consistent results.
What were the results of the study?
Two analytic methods found lower monthly healthcare costs with sustained Zepbound use versus no treatment. At six months, the pairwise analysis showed a 15% lower increase in costs, a difference of$181per patient, per month; the IPCW analysis showed a 12% lower increase, a difference of$145per patient, per month. At 12 months, the pairwise analysis showed an estimated difference of$607per patient, per month, reflecting on average 38% lower costs; the IPCW analysis showed an estimated difference of$319per patient, per month, reflecting on average 25% lower costs.
How should the healthcare cost findings be interpreted?2
Claims data do not capture Zepbound's net price, so the study excluded the cost of Zepbound from total treatment costs. As a result, the reported cost differences reflect potential savings that could offset the price of Zepbound (not the net cost impact of treatment overall).
About Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is the first and only dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist obesity medication. Zepbound tackles an underlying cause of excess weight. It reduces appetite and how much you eat. Zepbound is indicated for adults with obesity, or some adults who are overweight and also have at least one weight-related medical problem, to lose weight and keep it off. Additionally, Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Zepbound should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable.
Endnotes and references
-
Upadhyay N, Bonakdar A, Subedi K, Banerjee S, Behrend B, Hankosky ER. Trends in Cost of Care With Tirzepatide in Adults Aged Over 55 Years With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: A Matched Cohort Analysis.
-
Claims data do not capture Zepbound's net price, so the study excluded the cost of Zepbound from total treatment costs. As a result, the reported cost differences reflect potential savings that could offset the price of Zepbound (not the net cost impact of treatment overall).
-
Estimated cost differences varied between
-
$319
-
and
-
$607
-
, depending on model.
-
Results were numerically lower, but not statistically significant in the secondary analysis (pairwise).