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.

Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) weight-loss drug Zepbound is now reportedly covered by Medicare for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in people with obesity. CNBC said Wednesday that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed that Medicare drug plans can now cover Zepbound,

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.

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.