How to get Ozempic for $25

The rumors are true: You can get Ozempic (semaglutide) for $25—as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements. For starters, you need to have private or commercial insurance. You also need to be prescribed Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, as it's approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

If you are prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight loss, uninsured, or have government-funded insurance, you might be wondering, “how do I get Ozempic for $25, too?” While you may not qualify for this specific discount, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to a life of paying the drug’s hefty list price of $968.52 every month. There are other cost-saving measures that can help you reduce the price of the medication.

Read on to learn more about how to get Ozempic for $25 (hint: a little something called the Ozempic Savings Card) and other ways to get the medication for less.

Without insurance, Ozempic can be quite costly. The prescription medication has a list price of $968.52 per month, which equals about $242.13 weekly or up to $11,622.24 annually, and that amount is the same for all doses of the drug (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg). Quick reminder: The list price describes the price set by the drug manufacturer and does not take into consideration any discounts, coupons, or insurance coverage. How much you’ll end up paying for Ozempic will also depend on your preferred pharmacy, location, and specific insurance plan. In other words, you can think of the list price as an initial offer, so-to-speak—not the exact amount most individuals will pay. 

Three words: Ozempic Savings Card. With this card—which is offered by drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk—those with private or commercial (i.e. coverage through an employer) insurance may be able to pay as little as $25 for a one-, two-, or three-month prescription. 

Having insurance is just the first step toward qualifying for the offer, though. To be eligible, you must have private or commercial insurance that covers Ozempic and be a citizen or resident of the United States. You cannot pay for Ozempic with cash, and the entire cost of the medication cannot be reimbursable through a healthcare plan or a pharmacy benefit program. Those who are on government-subsidized plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration (VA) health insurance, are not eligible, nor are individuals without insurance.

The savings card can be used for up to 24 months, and you must have a valid prescription for Ozempic from a qualified healthcare provider and have type 2 diabetes. 

While the Novo Nordisk discount card is a great deal, it’s not the only way to reduce the price of your prescription. Here, additional tips and techniques for bringing down the cost. 

Review insurance coverage

Many insurance plans cover Ozempic when it’s prescribed for type 2 diabetes (it’s FDA-approved use), not when it’s prescribed off-label for weight management. 

Once you have an Ozempic prescription, the next step is to find out whether the drug is covered by your insurance. You can do just that with Ro’s GLP-1 Insurance Coverage Checker; simply fill out the form with the information on your insurance card and Ro will send you a free, personalized coverage report based on their conversation with your plan. 

You can also check your healthcare plan’s drug formulary (aka a list of all drugs covered under your plan). If Ozempic isn’t listed, your healthcare provider may be able to request prior authorization from the insurance company on the basis that Ozempic is medically necessary. Should prior authorization be declined, your healthcare provider can submit an appeal on your behalf.

With government-funded or subsidized options, there’s nuances depending on plan type:

• Medicare: Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage both cover Ozempic when it’s prescribed for type 2 diabetes. If someone on Medicare has limited resources, the Medicare Extra Help program can help pay Part D copayments, deductibles, and coinsurances. Legally, Medicare is not allowed to cover weight loss medications, though there are organizations petitioning for this to change. 

• Medicaid: What’s covered under Medicaid differs by state. To determine if your Medicaid plan covers Ozempic, refer to the plan’s drug formulary or contact your state’s Medicaid agency.

• Tricare: Tricare covers Ozempic in certain situations. Most likely, your healthcare provider will need to submit a coverage review before you fulfill your prescription.

• Veterans Administration (VA): Ozempic is covered under the VA prescription drug plans when prescribed for type 2 diabetes. For weight management, it may be covered through VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program, though the program is more likely to cover Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide as the active ingredient but is FDA-approved for weight loss. 

Apply for the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

For those without insurance, a solid cost-saving option is Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP). Depending on your eligibility, the PAP may allow you to get 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg doses of Ozempic at no cost or at a highly reduced rate. The first step to qualifying? Being prescribed Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. 

Novo Nordisk’s PAP is exclusively for US citizens and legal residents who have a household income totaling 400% below the federal poverty level, which ranges between $15,060 to $52,720 in most states and depends on household size. Applicants cannot have insurance coverage or be enrolled in any federal, state, or local benefits programs. 

Sign up for prescription discount programs

Many pharmacies provide discounts on semaglutide-containing drugs, including Ozempic. Some popular discount programs include:

• Costco Prescription Program: Membership program for Costco members who are underinsured or uninsured through which you can save up to 80% on drugs at participating locations, including Costco and participating local pharmacies as well as the company’s mail-order service. 

• Optum Perks: Free prescription discount program available to everyone that offers savings up to 80% on select drugs at over 64,000 pharmacies in the US. 

• WellRX: Free prescription discount program available to everyone that offers up to 80% off select drug costs at over 65,000 pharmacies in the US.

• GoodRX: Free service that offers coupons for various medications.

• SingleCare: Free service that offers coupons for various medications.

Use an HSA/FSA account

A health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to pay for healthcare expenses with tax-exempt money. HSA or FSA account funds can pay for Ozempic, so long as you have proper documentation (i.e. a prescription and letter of medical necessity from a doctor).

Consider alternative medications 

If none of these options seem viable, it may be worth asking  your healthcare provider about  Ozempic alternatives, such as Wegovy for weight loss and Rybelsus for diabetes. Keep in mind, though, that many similar options can also be pricey and are not necessarily covered by insurance. 

Once you speak with your healthcare provider about potential swaps, call your insurance company to see if the drugs are included in your plan’s drug formulary and, if so, their cost based on the specifics of your plan. You can also explore the aforementioned discount programs and any drug manufacturer offerings to best determine how much you might pay for an Ozempic alternative. 

Unfortunately, there aren’t generic versions of Ozempic on the market at the moment. But there is one more (typically cost-effective) Ozempic alternative to consider: compounded semaglutide. Compounded medications are custom-made pharmaceutical products by licensed pharmacists to meet the needs of an individual patient when a commercially available drug cannot. They can also be a good option if a patient is facing a drug shortage or insurance denial. Compounded medications are permitted under the FDA, but aren’t FDA approved—or typically covered by insurance. That said, they’re often more affordable than paying out-of-pocket for brand-name counterparts if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover the drug. If you qualify, Ro offers compounded semaglutide starting at $194 for the first month and then $399 monthly. (FYI, costs include both the Body membership and medication.)

If you have private or commercial insurance and meet other eligibility requirements, you may be able to get Ozempic for $25 a month with the Ozempic Savings Card. Don’t have insurance? Or considered ineligible? There are other ways to save on your Rx, including Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program, discounts at local pharmacies, coupons through programs like Optum Perks and GoodRx, and more.

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Current version

October 18, 2024

Written by

Angela Myers

Fact checked by

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

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About the medical reviewer

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia Weiser, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist, health content writer, and medical reviewer with more than a decade of clinical experience in community and hospital pharmacy.