A study examined the use of outpatient therapies for COVID-19 among Medicare beneficiaries in 2022, finding that individuals at higher risk for severe illness received less treatment. Despite the availability of effective therapies, disparities in access were observed, with lower treatment rates among older adults, Black patients, and those in nursing homes. The study simulated reallocating treatment based on risk, estimating that it could have prevented 16,503 deaths. These disparities were not explained by testing rates, ambulatory visits, or treatment contraindications. The findings suggest that treatment access was disproportionately lower among those at higher risk, potentially undermining the public health benefits of these therapies. The study highlights the need for equitable distribution of treatments, particularly for high-risk populations.A study examined the use of outpatient therapies for COVID-19 among Medicare beneficiaries in 2022, finding that individuals at higher risk for severe illness received less treatment. Despite the availability of effective therapies, disparities in access were observed, with lower treatment rates among older adults, Black patients, and those in nursing homes. The study simulated reallocating treatment based on risk, estimating that it could have prevented 16,503 deaths. These disparities were not explained by testing rates, ambulatory visits, or treatment contraindications. The findings suggest that treatment access was disproportionately lower among those at higher risk, potentially undermining the public health benefits of these therapies. The study highlights the need for equitable distribution of treatments, particularly for high-risk populations.