Eli Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound can now be covered by government-backed Medicare insurance plans for use in sleep apnea, broadening access to the blockbuster weight-loss treatment. The Wednesday statement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services comes after Zepbound in December became the first drug approved in the U.

By aiding weight loss, Zepbound can improve symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in people with obesity — but CPAP machines remain the first-line treatment.

Zepbound is not covered by Medicare or many other insurance plans as a treatment for weight loss. The injectable treatment costs about $1,000 a month without insurance.

The FDA has approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

It opens the door for broader coverage and access to Zepbound, which is not currently covered by Medicare and many other insurance plans for weight loss.