Jan 8 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) popular obesity

drug Zepbound can now be covered by government-backed Medicare

drug plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said on

Wednesday.

Zepbound in December became the

first drug approved

in the U.S. for sleep apnea, but commercial insurers and

employers had so far hesitated to cover the drug due to its high

cost.

The CMS also said obesity medications that receive

approval for use in another disease can get coverage under

Medicare plans for adults aged 65 and older and those with

disabilities.