Most patients pay far less than retail. Here's what to expect across the most common channels.
| Drug | With Insurance + Savings Card | Cash Pay (Manufacturer Direct) | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (injection) | As low as $25/mo | $349/mo | Weight loss |
| Wegovy (pill) | As low as $25/mo | $149–$299/mo | Weight loss |
| Ozempic | As low as $25/mo | $349–$499/mo | Type 2 diabetes |
| Zepbound | As low as $25/mo | $299–$449/mo | Weight loss |
| Mounjaro | As low as $25/mo | N/A (no self-pay vials) | Type 2 diabetes |
| Foundayo | As low as $25/mo | $149–$349/mo | Weight loss |
| Rybelsus | As low as $10/mo | Check availability | Type 2 diabetes |
Prices as of April 2026. Actual copays depend on your specific plan. Savings card eligibility varies by insurance type.
If your employer or private insurance plan covers GLP-1 medications, your out-of-pocket cost drops dramatically. Most commercially insured patients with coverage pay between $25 and $100 per month, depending on their plan's formulary tier. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer manufacturer savings cards that can bring copays down to as little as $25 per month for eligible patients. These cards are free to apply for and work at most pharmacies. The catch: nearly all plans require prior authorization for GLP-1 medications, and many plans — especially for weight loss indications — have denial rates above 50%. If your plan denies coverage, you have the right to appeal, and about 80% of well-documented appeals succeed.
Medicare coverage for GLP-1 drugs depends entirely on why your doctor prescribes them. Ozempic and Mounjaro are covered under Medicare Part D for type 2 diabetes, and thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare beneficiaries now have a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs. For weight loss specifically, Medicare has historically not covered GLP-1 medications. That changes in July 2026 when the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program launches, offering Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo at a flat $50/month copay for eligible beneficiaries through December 2026.
Without insurance, list prices range from $998 to $1,350 per month, but almost nobody should pay that. Both manufacturers now offer direct-to-consumer pricing that's dramatically lower. Novo Nordisk sells Ozempic and Wegovy through NovoCare Pharmacy starting at $199 per month for your first two fills, then $349 per month ongoing. Eli Lilly sells Zepbound vials through LillyDirect starting at $299 per month. The oral medications are even cheaper: Wegovy pills start at $149 per month, and Foundayo is available starting at $149–$349 per month. GoodRx coupons offer additional savings at retail pharmacies. Telehealth platforms like Ro, Hims, and Found typically bundle medication with provider visits for $149–$299 per month all-in.
Novo Nordisk announced in February 2026 that the list prices for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus will drop to approximately $675 per month starting January 1, 2027 — a reduction of roughly 50%. While self-pay patients already have access to lower prices through NovoCare and GoodRx programs, this list price cut will meaningfully reduce costs for patients whose insurance copays are calculated as a percentage of the drug's list price.
No. Federal law prohibits using manufacturer copay cards with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other government insurance programs. If you have Medicare, check your Part D plan's formulary for coverage details, or ask your doctor about Patient Assistance Programs if your income qualifies.
They contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but are FDA-approved for different conditions. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management. This distinction matters for insurance coverage — many plans cover Ozempic for diabetes but won't cover Wegovy for weight loss.
Compounded GLP-1 medications are legal when dispensed by a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription, but they are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. The FDA has increased enforcement against some compounding pharmacies. If you go this route, use a reputable provider and understand that compounded medications are not identical to brand-name drugs.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a new program launching July 1, 2026 that will cover Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo for eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries at a flat $50 per month copay. The program runs through December 31, 2026 and covers patients with qualifying BMI and health conditions. This is the first time Medicare will broadly cover GLP-1 medications for weight management.
Start by asking your doctor to submit a prior authorization with supporting documentation, including your BMI, relevant health conditions, and any previous weight management attempts. If denied, file a formal appeal — about 80% of appeals succeed when properly documented. Your insurance company is required to tell you why the claim was denied and how to appeal.