How much does Ozempic cost without insurance? 

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription pen that is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, in addition to diet and exercise. It may also be prescribed off-label for weight loss (Blundell, 2017). Each Ozempic pen comes pre-filled with multiple doses of the drug. After you select your dose, you use the pen to inject the medication into your upper arm, thigh, or stomach once a week (FDA, 2020). Ozempic prevents blood sugar spikes and slows down digestion, so you feel satiated sooner and longer, typically leading to reduced appetite and weight loss (Chamberlin, 2019; Shah, 2014). If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, Ozempic costs around $892.06 per month, on average (NovoCare-a, 2022). However, savings programs can sometimes help lower the cost of the medication if you qualify. 

How much does Ozempic cost?

The cost of one monthly dose of Ozempic pen is around $892.06 (NovoCare-a, 2022). There are no generic forms of Ozempic available. However, you may be able to lower the cost of Ozempic through savings programs and health insurance. 

For example, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, offers an Ozempic savings card for up to a 90-day supply of Ozempic. To qualify, you must have private or commercial insurance and a one-, two-, or three-month prescription for Ozempic. Depending on your insurance coverage, the savings can be as high as $150 off a one-month prescription, $300 off a two-month prescription, or $450 off a three-month prescription (NovoCare-b, 2022).

Novo Nordisk also offers a patient assistance program that provides Ozempic at no cost. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident with a total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty line. You must also not have insurance, Medicare, or any other federal, state, or government program such as Medicaid or VA benefits (NovoCare-c, 2022).

Some websites, such as GoodRx, source Ozempic coupons from various retailers — including Costco, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart — which can help you save on the cost of Ozempic. With some pharmacies, ordering a 90-day supply of Ozempic may be cheaper per dose than ordering a one-month or two-month supply.

Health insurance may or may not cover Ozempic, depending on the condition it’s prescribed for (e.g. type 2 diabetes versus weight loss), the pharmacy you use, and the coverage offered by your particular plan. If you do not have adequate coverage, you can also ask your healthcare provider about other GLP-1 medications. These drugs offer similar weight loss effects to Ozempic, but they may be available for a lower cost (Chamberlain, 2019; CADTH, 2019).

Does insurance cover Ozempic?

Often, Ozempic is not covered by insurance when prescribed specifically for weight loss alone. However, it may be covered as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, for pre-diabetes. On a case-by-case basis, a provider may appeal an insurance company’s decision and make the case that Ozempic is medically necessary and should be covered. It is also possible that if Ozempic is not covered by your health insurance plan, an alternative GLP-1 medication might be. If your insurance covers Ozempic, you may pay as little as $25 for a month.

Ultimately, the cost of Ozempic and whether or not Ozempic is covered by your insurance will depend on your particular plan and the pharmacy you use. If you have met your deductible, you could pay as little as $25/mo or your plan may cover Ozempic 100%, depending on your insurance. If you do not have private insurance, you can purchase insurance through your state’s marketplace at healthcare.com.

Does Medicaid cover Ozempic?

Some Medicaid plans cover medications like Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. To see if Ozempic is covered by your Medicaid plan, visit the website for your state’s Medicaid program. You must meet certain eligibility requirements to be covered by Medicaid, such as being low-income. Some drugs may require a prior authorization to be covered under Medicaid.

Does Medicare cover Ozempic?

Most Medicare prescription drug plans cover Ozempic when prescribed for certain diagnoses, including Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PD) and Medicare Part D. While many Medicare plans cover Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, the Ozempic price you pay will depend on your copay and whether you have met your deductible. 

To check if your Medicare prescription drug plan covers Ozempic, take a look at your plan’s formulary. This lists all the drugs covered by your plan and their associated tier, which can give you an idea of whether it will be more or less expensive. The higher the tier, the more expensive the cost. 

If your plan covers Ozempic but other GLP-1 drugs are listed in a different tier at a lower cost, your healthcare provider may be able to request an exception to get you a lower copay for Ozempic. If not, prescribing one of the other GLP-1 medications may be an option, depending on whether your provider believes doing so would be appropriate for you. 

How to get Ozempic

Ozempic is a prescription medication, so you’ll need to get a prescription in order to get Ozempic. One option is to make an appointment with your healthcare professional. They can help you assess whether Ozempic is the best option for your weight loss goals, or if you should try another GLP-1 medication. 

The Ro Body Program pairs personal coaching along with GLP-1 medication to help people lose 15% of their body weight after completing the 12-month program. Though the cost of the medication is not included in the monthly fee, Ro’s insurance concierge will work with your insurance to help get the cost of your GLP-1 medication covered if prescribed.

Alternatives to Ozempic

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This class of drugs may be prescribed for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and overweight with weight-related health conditions. Like Ozempic, other GLP-1 medications improve glycemic control and slow down digestion, leading to reduced appetite and weight loss (Collins, 2022). 

Some of these Ozempic alternatives may be cheaper than Ozempic, including Trulicity (dulaglutide), Bydureon (exenatide), and Victoza (liraglutide) (CADTH, 2019). While these medications are similar, they have a few differences which we’ll get into below. Talk to your health provider about the best option for you and your weight loss goals. 

Some alternative GLP-1 medications include: 

• Bydureon or Byetta (exenatide)

• Victoza or Saxenda (liraglutide)

• Tanzeum or Eperzan (albiglutide)

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

With many GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, side effects are more common and intense in the first few weeks of treatment, but they tend to subside thereafter (Bridges, 2022; Mehta, 2017). Talk to your healthcare provider about which option is best for you.

Steve Silvestro, MD

Dr. Steve Silvestro is a board-certified pediatrician and Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.